Books from then vs. life today

[shustrik]

Last night I read one short story by Kuprin. It's amazing - I caught myself thinking (or, rather, feeling): Come on, give me some action! (like an average US Joe) What I was getting instead were many great descriptions of people, buildings, rooms, nature etc. Actually, it was very good - once I forced myself/my thoughts/my attitude to slow down.

Comments

[anonymous]

I think that life then allowed to breath. Our life here and now is WRONG! We run to get somewhere and when we get there or if we get there it's so disappointing because then we feel crushed.
No other country has such a fast past like US.

[map_ka]

Yes, it is wrong, but I think you can adapt if you accept the risk that not everything you do will be perfect.

In yesterday's Times there was an article on how to pick out the perfect pillow. Before I read it, I'd just go to the nearest Bed, Bath and Beyond, see what's there and buy something. Now, if I have any self respect, I am supposed to "research" my sleeping options. Apparently some people do and then complain that they do not have time to live their lives.

[map_ka]

Very funny! Personally, my life back in "sovok" was much much more hectic! I am often bored here, to tell you the truth. Way too much time on my hands!
Getting back to the book issue. I lost interest in Russian books simply because I don't share most of the classics' point of view any more. Most of them are quite dis-empowering, depressing, and whining. There are exceptions of course. But then again, I already read them, why not learn something new?

[map_ka]

Well, most of those books have been written before Prozac.

That's another American story: you must be happy, otherwise something is wrong with you. You must be happy, so you work on your marriage, friendships, relationships with your kids and other relatives; you work on yourself to find the inner bliss. And because of all this never ending work, people don't have time to experience life as it is. To smell the roses, so to speak.

If you have too much time on your hands, consider yourself lucky: the total happiness bug haven't bitten you yet.

[map_ka]

Don't need Prozak to be happy. Kinda sad that you think that.