32 Comments
Sep 7Liked by Richard Bryant

This is why I only quote Gogol: “You can’t imagine how stupid the whole world has grown nowadays.”

But then everyone thinks I meant to say “Google”.

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author

Gogol Google, tomato tomato! Thanks for reading!

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Sep 15Liked by Richard Bryant

I try not to quote... Just something I learned from my mentor, quoting assigns the respobsibility of truth to the (already dead) authors. Just tell what is in your mind. Only if asked, then inform, if not, just keep the ball rolling. Thanks, Richard for sharing!

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Thank you Qi for engaging with the Dostoevsky! I agree. Let’s keep it real.

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Sep 12Liked by Richard Bryant

If you quoted Kierkegaard, would it be any better? What about Joseph Conrad? Or John Dos Passos?

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author

Probably not!

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This paragraph is just ingenious: "Invoking Dostoevsky is not something one does casually. It's not like quoting Taylor Swift lyrics, where everyone’s encouraged to “shake it off!" Referencing any Russian writer should be done with the same degree of gravity that one acknowledges, “Winter is Coming.” "

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Thank you Barbora.

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What a little joy this piece was. Even got a good guffaw out of me...

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I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thank you Sandolore.

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wait what was the quote you used though?

did the guy in Crime and Punishment actually kill someone or was that just in his imagination? I'm not sure that was resolved.

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author

That is, indeed, the theme of the book. This guy Raskolnikov kills someone.

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Sep 11Liked by Richard Bryant

This is really a light hearted read! Shows how humorous you are! 👍💪✌️👏🙌

Sometimes, making fun of ourselves is how we get out of the situation!🙏 😉😁🤪🤣

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author

Sometimes laughing is all we can do. Thank you Janet. You are a ray of sunshine ☀️.

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You are right, Richard! 👍💪✌️

Keep on smiling, you never know your smile might brighten someone’s day n you will become another one’s ray of sunlight! 🌞

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Sep 8Liked by Richard Bryant

Hey, this was a fun article to read. I liked the avocado line.

Not on your level of pain but I once had to pretend I'd read Proust's A la recherche du temps perdu so as not to embarrass my grandmother. A 40-minute conversation I could not wait to end.

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It’s on the same level. I agree 100%.

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Sep 7Liked by Richard Bryant

Very funny -thanks!

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author

Thank you Kevin.

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That's why you don't quote Russian Authors, lol. I don't ever regret reading Solzhenitsyn in HIS writing is the truth of the minority experience in The United States-- especially a caucasian mix that looks really caucasian. Do I quote him, Hell.no. On the internet I'll prompt him but they aren't gonna get it.

Solzhenitsyn Changed my understanding of Reality for the better, a gift The USSR gave him, because he defected. Anyhow, great article, Man, though never could get through any Dostoevsky RESPECT, anyways.

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author

He’s a lifelong reading companion. Thanks for checking in. I hope you enjoyed it.

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I feel lucky now that my coworker has a degree in comparative literature and quoting Dostoevsky has become like quoting Friends for us

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I love every word of this.

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author

Thank you so much, Holly!

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You’re very welcome! Keep writing!

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I'm the guy who also does this, I used to get embarrassed now I just roll with it

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Enjoyed it thoroughly! As a Russian, I can relate to the sometimes extraneous depth. But for some reason, I feel that his most profound thoughts are as simple as quoting Friends. Maybe it's because I grew up in the city where he was exiled. :))))

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That's how I feel about Soren K. In the grand scheme of things, wasn't Chandler a modern-day Kierkegaard?

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Interesting! don't know. Planning an article on Kierkegaardt.

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deletedSep 6Liked by Richard Bryant
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You’re welcome!

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