russian-latin american novel?

[Oya.Orlova]

Hey guys,

I have a question and I hope you can help me with it. The thing is, I'm writing a diploma on Spanish and Russian literature and I need to find a common topic- I was thinking something about dictator novel, utopian novel even (but would definitely prefer the 1st one), or something with magical realism.
Does anyone have any idea how I could link Russia with Latin America? I have been looking for the right subject for a while now and I just can't seem to find it yet...

Thanks

[ВАЛТЕР]

First that comes to mind is the strong ties between Cuba and the USSR.

[Oya.Orlova]

Thanks...I'll look into it. If there's anything else that comes to mind, I'll be very grateful :)

[Thirsty Crow]

Hey guys,

I have a question and I hope you can help me with it. The thing is, I'm writing a diploma on Spanish and Russian literature and I need to find a common topic- I was thinking something about dictator novel, utopian novel even (but would definitely prefer the 1st one), or something with magical realism.
Does anyone have any idea how I could link Russia with Latin America? I have been looking for the right subject for a while now and I just can't seem to find it yet...

Thanks
Magical realism is a fertile ground for such a connection, but there aren't many Russian magical realists apart from Bulgakov, and his The Master and Margarita.
As far as Latin American mag realist fiction goes, there's heaps and heaps. But a specific topic you might be interested in is the metatextual dimension - for instance, Bulgakov bases his narration on the Bible, as a metatextual (and intertextual) reference point. Similar stuff appears in Latin American magical realism, but not with written texts but with cultural beliefs and legends of the native and African population (e.g. Men of Maize etc etc).

I'm writing my thesis (British and Anglophone literature) in a similar field (literature of the fantastic; Alasdair Gray's Lanark) but have yet to write a paper on magical realism, so I can help out with suggested references and works which might be helpful.

[Oya.Orlova]

wow, thanks! Well I actually was thinking about Bulgakov, but just really want to stay as far as possible away from the Bible. It doesn't interest me too much- I was thinking more like comparing political situation through magical realism- but I can't seem to find the connection. Plus, Bulgakov has been a frequent subject already, so I wanted to avoid him as well. I was thinking more sth like Nabokov or Pelevin...but there's not much literature on russian magical realism.

[Thirsty Crow]

wow, thanks! Well I actually was thinking about Bulgakov, but just really want to stay as far as possible away from the Bible. It doesn't interest me too much- I was thinking more like comparing political situation through magical realism- but I can't seem to find the connection. Plus, Bulgakov has been a frequent subject already, so I wanted to avoid him as well. I was thinking more sth like Nabokov or Pelevin...but there's not much literature on russian magical realism.
Honestly, my knowledge of Russian literature kinda hits the wall chronologically with Bulgakov. Though, I've read some Nabokov but wasn't aware he wrote in the magical realist mode. Pelevin I have no idea who was that :lol:

And sure, if you indeed know of a Russian author writing in the mode who even barely touches upon the social and political realities of the society, go for it. You can even construct a whole model of implied politics of the work which isn't overtly political. Come to think of it, this would be an interesting work, one which deals with openly political magical realism (think Isabel Allende, House of the Spirits) and compares it against a subdued form of political, mag-realist writing in Russia (if such a thing exists).