5 Comments

I plan to put Brodsky on my list of poets to check out, thank you. I was wondering if you had any Mandelshtam collections to recommend? I’ve only come across one translation that I’ve enjoyed.

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Vashik, this was an excellent essay. You've moved me to go back to my shelves and find my Brodsky. Thank you.

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Oct 20·edited Oct 20

Thank you for this read! I didn't read "On Grief and Reason: Essays" yet (it seems, I should🙂), but I love his poetry.

I find myself thinking lately that the poetry falls into two kinds - one that flows harmoniously, beautifully, melodically; and one that speaks harshly, sternly and powerfully like a voice that tears the heavens apart. This is the poetry of Joseph Brodsky, this is his voice. There are individuals who speak so strongly about themselves that any attempt to summarize or explain them seem incomplete. So it is with Brodsky. These personalities and their work implies only one thing - the self-reflection of the reader.

It was a pleasure to read your thoughts about Brodsky and your "close connection to his often bitter feelings about our homeland"!

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In my opinion, Brodsky will be much better understood by those who lived in any of the Soviet Union's countries. There are certain things that only a homo sovieticus can truly grasp. Always thank you, Vashik!

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I will definitely look for his work and read it!!

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