6 years ago I came to America with one suitcase. But first I sent a parcel to the U. S. with books. What were those books?
- Practical English Usage
- Correct your English errors
- English the American way
- Woman who run with the wolves
- Tomsk slums
- Mtsyri (Novice)
Practical English usage (Michael Swan). I bought this one in Tomsk, when I decided to seriously study English. I remember that I was surprised by the prices in this store: two books cost like one pair of jeans. The book won.
I bought this one in Tomsk, when I decided to seriously study English. I remember that I was surprised by the prices in this store: two books cost like one pair of jeans. The book won.
English the American way: a fun ESL guide to the language and culture in the U. S. and Correct your English Errors were a gift from Daniel. These books were my study guides for a couple of years, already when I lived in America.
Woman who run with the wolves, by Clarissa Pincola Estes. This book was a gift from my friend. The author writes about Wild Woman Archetype in myths and legends, and how society and loved ones put women into the frames where their personality cannot develop. (Remember Shirley Valentine?) The book is not easy to read. You need time to comprehend what you read. The author touches on many women’s issues. If you read it at the right time, you can find answers to questions. It was after reading (partial) I understood the meaning of the tale of the Ugly Duckling. I brought it with me to read in the future and try to understand the Wild woman in me.
M. Lermontov ” Poems “(classics). Mikhail Lermontov was a Russian Romantic writer, poet and painter, sometimes called “the poet of the Caucasus”, the most important Russian poet after Alexander Pushkin. Almost every school year we read one or another of his works. At the age of 15 I was impressed by the poem Mtsyri (Novice): description of the nature, feelings of the main character, as well as the style of writing (melodically and artistically). At the age of 19, I realized what Mtsyri meant when he said: “Oh, I would be happy to hug the storm like a brother!”. That’s when I fell in love with the wind and stopped being afraid of the thunder. They became for me the personification of freedom. Happy to have this book and the opportunity to read at any time.
“Tomsk Slums” ( Томские трущобы) by Не-Крестовский (Курицын) – Criminal novel about Tomsk, written in 1908 (this is before the October revolution). The book is about love, human vices and crimes. The events took place in late autumn. Description of streets and buildings makes it possible to vividly imagine what is happening, if you are familiar with Tomsk. For several years before I left, this novel was my autumn desk book. I wanted to read it in the fall, when the 100-year line between then and now was erased. There was a sense that nothing had changed: the main streets of the city are lit and paved, while the outskirts are dark and dirty and dangerous. Despite this, I love Tomsk, and ” Tomsk slums” are part of the city’s history.
What books would you take with you when you move to another country?
