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A review by r_evol
Subtly Worded and Other Stories by Teffi
3.0
This collection of stories by Teffi was a fantastic way to get into her work, which I will definitely be reading more of. From what I've gathered Teffi kind of a hidden gem in the world of Russian Literature, which tends to focus on the very masculine 'great novels' by authors like Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky. Teffi is sometimes called 'the female Chekov' by some (which I find problematic), nevertheless they are right in their allusion to her having a place among the masters of the short story.
What makes this edition of her works so accessible is that they are split up into digestible periods of her writing, e.g. pre-Revolution, Paris in the 1920s and 30s, etc.. This also shows her development as a writer and the themes that preoccupied her during various periods of her life. The introduction outlining Teffi's life was interesting in itself and her many experiences enrich the flavour of her writing. She has a lot to say about Rasputin (who she met a few times) and the experience of being a Russian emigre in Paris after the Revolution.
I'm so glad I was able to discover Teffi's writing and I am keen to read some of her memoirs.
What makes this edition of her works so accessible is that they are split up into digestible periods of her writing, e.g. pre-Revolution, Paris in the 1920s and 30s, etc.. This also shows her development as a writer and the themes that preoccupied her during various periods of her life. The introduction outlining Teffi's life was interesting in itself and her many experiences enrich the flavour of her writing. She has a lot to say about Rasputin (who she met a few times) and the experience of being a Russian emigre in Paris after the Revolution.
I'm so glad I was able to discover Teffi's writing and I am keen to read some of her memoirs.