8 Comments
User's avatar
Patricia Rector's avatar

If you're one who enjoys peeking into the personal lives of authors, the University of Michigan has an extensive digital collection of Bulkagov's family photos and various pieces of correspondence:

https://quod.lib.umich.edu/b/bulgakov1ic?page=index

https://lib.mivideo.it.umich.edu/media/t/0_vhcortzk

Expand full comment
Cams Campbell's avatar

This is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing, Patricia!

Expand full comment
Christina's avatar

I've started the book. I read in Hungarian. For my surprise, my library book has an other novel as well, called "Theather novel". The librarian girl told me, this book was not out from the library at least for 20 years, she don't have older record.

I enjoyed the first chapter. It makes me read slow, and it a little bit feels poetry. I recently read Virginia Woolf (To the Lighthouse and Mrs. Dalloway) and a little bit reminds me of her writing, but Bulgakov is easier (so far) to follow what is actually happening and where are we in time.

It made me feel connected their so terrible situation, when the Puskin book was put on the fire. For me it is a really big need when people burn a book because of cold winter.

I got the Natasha Rostova name a connection to War and Peace and I think I missed many other connections to IDontKnowWhat, but it is ok.

After chapter 1: I like it!

Expand full comment
Cams Campbell's avatar

I read Mrs Dalloway in summer and hadn't made that connection. I'll look out for it. Glad you're enjoying the novel!

Expand full comment
Patricia Rector's avatar

Hello everyone and thank you, Cam, for setting up the read-along of the White Guard. I'm two chapters in and enjoying my first peek at Bulgakov's work.

I’m enjoying the way Bulgakov uses colors and sounds as he introduces the characters, the home environment and social structure, and the approaching military conflict. The image of the family’s clock, ticking away the final moments of their comfortable routine, also lends a sense of preordination as the political turmoil advances, and I love how Bulgakov contrasts the lovely rich colors of white, scarlet, gold, and blue with the mud, filth, lice, and the black outer garments.

I’m reading the Roger Cockrell translation as well as listening to the Naxos AudioBooks unabridged version.

Expand full comment
Paivi Shaw's avatar

Hi all! I’ve just read the first chapter and know already this is going to be a great read. Haven’t read much of Bulgakov but I am impressed how he can paint atmospheric pictures with words. Thanks for choosing this one for our readalong.

Expand full comment
Cams Campbell's avatar

"Paint atmospheric pictures with words" - yes! I found it a lot easier to read than I was expecting. Are you reading the Cockrell translation?

Expand full comment
Paivi Shaw's avatar

Yes I am.

Expand full comment