Read The Classics: The Little Tragedies February 8, 2009

The Multnomah County Library invites you to take part in a new book series, where you can read some of the best all-time classics and discuss them under the leadership of Lena M. Lencek, Professor of Russian and Humanities at Reed College. Participation is free, but registration is required. You can register online at http://www.multcolib.org/events/classics/russian.html
A limited number of books will be available free of charge for those who pre-register.

We will be reading and discussing Pushkin's Little Tragedies (The Covetous Knight, Mozart and Salieri, A Stone Guest, A Feast in the Time of the Plague). It is a cycle of "chamber" plays which were written, along with The Tales of Belkin, during the prolific Boldino autumn of 1830. They explore universal themes: rumor and reputation, time and prudence, religion and the fear of death, and ideal and profane love.

Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin, Russia's greatest poet, launched all the major forms of modern Russian literature and laid the foundation for the Russian literary language. Bridging European literature and Russian experience, he authored such breakthrough works as Eugene Onegin, Boris Godunov, The Queen of Spades — each with own operatic shadow — as well as historical novels and critical prose.

Official Website: http://www.multcolib.org/events/classics/russian.html