Among the Russians (original 1983; edition 1983)

by Colin Thubron

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Among the Russians is a marvellous account of a solitary journey by car from St. Petersburg and the Baltic States south to Georgia and Armenia. A gifted writer and intrepid traveller, Thubron grapples with the complexities of Russian identity and relays his extraordinary journey in characteristically lyrical style. This is an enthralling and revealing account of the habits and idiosyncrasies of a fascinating nation along with a sharp and insightful social commentary of Russian life.… (more)

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Member:	lreinsma
Title:	Among the Russians
Authors:	Colin Thubron
Info:	Harper Perennial (2001), Edition: 1st Perennial ed, Paperback, 224 pages
Collections:	Your library
Rating:
Tags:	non-fiction, travel writing, russia, first edition

Work Information

Among the Russians by Colin Thubron (1983)

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Boring and dispirited (

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farrhon | Jan 29, 2023 |

Never condescending, but always enlightening. (

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wbwilburn5 | Jun 9, 2012 |

A really interesting book of a man's experiences traveling alone through Russia . There were some really beautiful moments and insights into the people themselves that I enjoyed and still remember to this day. (

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dancingstarfish | Feb 11, 2008 |

An absorbing and excellently written account of the author's travels throughout the western Soviet Union at the beginning of the 1980s, chronicling his fascination and exasperation with the people he meets and the experiences he undergoes. The quality of writing makes this a joy to read. (

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john257hopper | Aug 26, 2007 |

Russia/Journey/Travel

Budzul | Jun 1, 2008 |

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In works such as In Siberia, Among the Russians and Behind the Wall, Colin Thubron has teased these dilemmas into rich, poetic prose. His narratives are at times dreamlike, even as he grapples with ideologues or bureaucrats, or roams through half-ruined cities and across crazy, forbidding deserts.

added by John_Vaughan | editGuardian, UK, Joanna Kavenna (Jun 30, 2011)

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Canonical title

Among the Russians

Original title

Among the Russians

Alternative titles

Where Nights Are Longest

Original publication date

1983

People/Characters

Important places

Russia

Important events

Related movies

Epigraph

'Do you know who are the only god-fearing people on earth. whose duty it is to regenerate and save the world in the name of a new god?' '...the people of Russia.' --Dostoevsky, The Possessed

It would be a gross and pedantic superstition to venerate any form of society in itself, apart from the safety, breadth, and sweetness which it lent to individual happiness. --George Santayana, Reason in Society

This will last out a night in Russia,
When nights are longest there.
--Shakespeare, Measure for Measure

Dedication

For Rae Sebley

First words

I had been afraid of Russia ever since I could remember.

Quotations

Last words

(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

Disambiguation notice

Published in UK as Among the Russians
Published in USA and Canada as Where Nights Are Longest

Publisher's editors

Blurbers

Original language

English

Canonical DDC/MDS

Canonical LCC

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▾Book descriptions

Among the Russians is a marvellous account of a solitary journey by car from St. Petersburg and the Baltic States south to Georgia and Armenia. A gifted writer and intrepid traveller, Thubron grapples with the complexities of Russian identity and relays his extraordinary journey in characteristically lyrical style. This is an enthralling and revealing account of the habits and idiosyncrasies of a fascinating nation along with a sharp and insightful social commentary of Russian life.

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