Russian Short Stories

Russian writers are celebrated for their mastery of the short story, crafting narratives that are rich in character, insight, and psychological depth. In A Swim in a Pond in the Rain (2021), George Saunders presents seven classic Russian short stories, offering his own close readings as a guide to their artistry.

In this workshop, we will use Saunders’ book as a framework for our own reading, focusing on the stories themselves—by Chekhov, Turgenev, Tolstoy, and Gogol—while also drawing on his insights as a backdrop to our discussions. Rather than analysing Saunders’ commentary in detail, we will engage directly with these literary masterpieces, exploring their themes, techniques and enduring relevance.

JOINING DETAILS:

• A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, ISBN 978-1526624246 is a required text for this study
• Four-week study on Zoom led by Alison Cable
• Thursdays, 5.00-7.00 pm (UK/BST)
• 8, 15, 22 and 29 May 2025
• £120 to include introductory notes and resources