Amazon.com: Customer reviews: A Very Russian Christmas: The Greatest Russian Holiday Stories of All Time (Very Christmas)

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What an amazing collection. As a Russian literature buff

Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2016

What an amazing collection. As a Russian literature buff, I was pleasantly surprised to see stories I'd never read before. The book makes a beautiful gift, and the pieces by Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Chekhov -- the usual giants -- were wonderful, but the ones that really threw me for a loop were the story by Teffi, and the one by Vladimir Korolenko, about a drunken peasant who makes it to a very interesting Russian type of heaven. This is great reading, appropriate for children but suited especially for adults. The hardcover format makes for great Xmas giving, with its beautifully drawn cover. Plus, there are little illustrations at the head of each story which are a nice touch. I loved this collection. Hope to see more like this!

11 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Do not give to anyone suffering from Holiday Depression

Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2019

Not exactly cheerful, inspiring Christmas stories.

7 people found this helpful

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Eli

What an amazing collection. As a Russian literature buff

Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2016

Verified Purchase

11 people found this helpful

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John Beckham

Freezing and Vodka

Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2018

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Some of these are long, a lot of vodka and freezing death. For aspiring writers Gorky 's CHRISTMAS PHANTOMS is a warning to be read -- could work for Halloween too. A CHRISTMAS TREE AND A WEDDING by Dostoevsky is a taste of Russia. Enjoy.

4 people found this helpful

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Diane Mae Robinson, Multi-award-winning children's author

Wonderful!

Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2019

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A wonderful colletion of stories centered around Russian heritage. Some of the stories are dark but splendid nonetheless! Well written.

4 people found this helpful

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C. T.

not quite what expected

Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2019

Verified Purchase

My daughter in-law is Russian and I am hoping she will like this for Christmas. I was not as impressed with the stories as I had expected, but I am hoping she is more familiar w/authors and will enjoy it more. Came quickly, cover is nice.

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Do not give to anyone suffering from Holiday Depression

Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2019

Verified Purchase

Not exactly cheerful, inspiring Christmas stories.

7 people found this helpful

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Tonya Boggs

Good book

Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2020

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Very beautiful stories, beautiful hard cover book. However the stories are kind of depressing and sad. But they’re very interesting so it’s worth the read! It looks beautiful out on our coffee table and is definitely a conversation starter.

One person found this helpful

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Catherine M. Tierney

Russian Christmas Stories

Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2019

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Lovely book of the best of Russian literature about the Christmas season!

2 people found this helpful

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tklaiber

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2018

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Was a gift to Russian daughter in law who loved it.

2 people found this helpful

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‘Tis the season: broaden appreciation of that particular time

Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2016

Russian tales of celebration of Christmas make a joyful entry into a year’s seasonal appreciation more welcome than usual. With the world stories hidden behind the social media and garish sales of every new goofus toy created by the apps that pass our eyes and pretend to hold meaning taking front and center, this collection of stories of how the Russians honor Christmas (at least in the old days) is so very refreshing.

These twelve stories are by well known as well as little known Russian writers and the topics in each story are different and present a smorgasbord of pleasure. The stories are THE NEW YEAR’S TREE by Mikhail Zoshchenko, THE BOYS by Anton Chekhov, A CHRISTMAS TREE AND A WEDDING by Fyodor Dostoevsky, AT CHRISTMASTIDE by Anton Chekhov, DREAM OF A YOUNG TSAR by Lev Tolstoy, MAKAR’S DREAM by Vladimir Korolenko, A WOMAN’S KINGDOM by Anton Chekhov, A DISTANT CHRISTMAS EVE by Kaudia Lukashevich, THE LITTLE BOY AT CHRIST’S CHRISTMAS TREE by Fyodor Dostoevsky, CHRISTMAS PHANTOMS by Maxim Gorky, A LIFELESS ANIMAL by Teffi, and MY LAST CHRISTMAS by Mikhail Zoshchenko.

Increase your vision and discover new authors while making Christmas even more special. Grady Harp, November 16

6 people found this helpful

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Amanda R.

Philosophical and worth re-reading

Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2016

If you have a fondness for Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, or Chekhov this hardback collection of fourteen stories, many making their premiere appearance in English, will be like opening a treasure box. All three of these great crafters of story appear in this work, as well as others who write with the same heartbeat. These tales take us back to a time of rugged winters with Tsars, shrewd old men, women with influence behind the spotlight, and pitiful drunkards. Despite the harsh life these stories depict they are full of compassion. Like Dickens, these tales express a yearning for a future time of good will for all men that we remember to look forward to anew during Advent. For instance, one man dies and takes a ghost-led journey of his past deeds which fall far short on golden scales. Instead of meeting with condemnation, the ruler at death’s judgment seat recognizes the hardships that have debased and shaped him. Though theologically questionable, it is a tale that asks valid questions about how we judge one another. All of the stories I had the opportunity to read were thoughtful, surprising, and distinctively Russian. They all bear re-reading.

*Sampler review copy courtesy of New Voyage Press*

5 people found this helpful

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