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Not everyone is willing to read books – many prefer to listen to audio or watch movies. As a rule, these are restless people – after all, you need to sit down with a book, read every line … Excruciatingly! Such whims are very fond of film adaptations, but a work and a movie are two different things. Movies are good, but don’t give what reading books do.
By reading, we expand our horizons, become smarter (scientifically proven, by the way), develop imagination, improve memory and relieve stress. There are many benefits to reading. If you know the Soviet writer Andrey Platonov (1899–1951) but have never read his books, it is a very good idea.
Take note of 10 of his best works and be sure to read when the time comes. They deserve attention and allow you to have a great time.
10 For the future, 1930
What is the genre of the book? “For the future” Platonov? This is a story about the organization of collective farms in different villages. A traveler who accidentally wandered into unfamiliar places describes what he sees on the way. “For the future” will be of interest to people who got acquainted with the work of Platonov, and who study “that” time.
It is said that Platonov wrote this book, being disappointed with the state system, and indignant because of politics. This is what you feel – the book is full of humor, while riddled with depression. The plot tells about a traveler stopping in the villages – he meets collective farmers and tells what he sees. The narrative is interrupted by the decision to leave for the Ural steppes.
9. Return, 1946
Platonov in “Return” described a realistic story about family relationships, long separation and forgiveness. Separation tests not only the feelings of loving people, but also serious relationships that have developed over the years. How many stories about how a person who has returned from hostilities becomes a stranger …
Ivanov, who served in the Great Patriotic War, returns to his homeland to his wife and children, but something torments him, haunts him. And now he is approaching – he sees his son at the station, who has changed. Yes, a lot has changed, and readers, together with Ivanov, are wondering if he will be able to live the same life, or will everything be different now?
8. Yushka, 1935
Read Andrey Platonov’s story “Soup” bitter and painful – make sure you have the strength for it. It tells about the life of a poor and defenseless man – he helped the blacksmith, performing auxiliary work. He is only a little over 40, but he can easily be considered an old man.
The unfortunate man loved people very much and believed that they loved him too.
Yushka is the name of an innocent person whom no one takes seriously. He lives quietly and measuredly – due to not a very big mind, but a big kind heart, Yushka often falls under the “execution”: both adults and children mock him. He directly asked why they did it.
Would he have received an answer to this if he had not died?
7. Jan, 1935
The book, although difficult to read, leaves a pleasant impression. The author takes you to “those” times. In short, then “Jan” about dreams and hopes, sometimes completely unrealizable. The language in which Platonov wrote is fabulous. If you were not familiar with the author’s work, then readers recommend that you first read “Chevengur”, and after “Dzhan”.
The story tells about the fate of the jan – the eastern people. It consists of beggars, fugitives and orphans who once settled in the desert of Sary-Kamysh. Now he is on the verge of extinction. A young economist with a Moscow education must find these people and bring them back to existence. It turns out that Chagataev himself comes from this people.
6. Sandy teacher, 1927
Andrey Platonov’s story “Sand Teacher” tells the story of Maria Nikiforovna – by the will of fate, a teacher in a village covered in sands. She really wants to teach children, but the villagers struggle with the sands all their lives. Maria Nikiforovna begins to study materials on taming the sands and wants to pass on her knowledge to the locals.
A young teacher comes to Northern Kazakhstan and sees that people have been fighting sand all their lives. But Maria is not one of those who give up! Once she decided to educate children, then she will do it. She learned and taught others how to escape from disaster – she organized the planting of trees, which protected the territory of the village from the influence of deserts. Why does Maria Nikiforovna have so much determination?
5. Fro, 1937
“Fro” – a story that will not leave any reader indifferent. This is a story about a young woman who is madly in love with her husband. So much so that, having fallen ill, he asks in a letter to come, leaving an important business trip. He arrived, but then left again, without saying where. And Fro will be left alone.
Fro is a simple Russian girl. She recently married the man she loves and wants to spend all her time with him. But her husband is a man of action, and it is important for him to support communist ideals. He leaves to build a “bright future”, and Frosya, bored alone, begins to do all sorts of absurdities …
4. Chevengur, 1926–1928
If you want to get acquainted with the work of Platonov, then you should start with a story “Chevengur”. This is a very difficult work, it is included in the school curriculum as an elective. After reading it is difficult to return to the usual reality, I want to read other works of the author.
Chevengur is the name of the anti-state, which is being built by a group of communists. In the commune, as we understand it, communism is hypertrophied, it consists of very colorful personalities: anarchists, pseudo-seekers. But, as it almost always happens, dreams of a “bright future” turn into an awkward reality.
3. Potudan River, 1936
Based on the book “Potudany River” the film “Beloved Mary” by Konchalovsky was shot – if you are a fan of the author, then be sure to watch it, it’s interesting. The story is small, but deep – about life and death. The main character went to defend his homeland, and the author illustrates his life after the war, when there is hunger, illness and emptiness outside and in the soul.
The main idea that can be taken out of the work is that it is important to just live. The protagonist returns from the war, he is broken. He does not have the strength to speak, love and even live. He went to defend his homeland, because it was necessary, there was no choice.
If a person has no desire to exist, no purpose, then life itself will present him with something for which it is worth living.
2. Epiphany locks, 1926
This story is different from other Platonov’s prose. In the work, the author, as it were, is looking for his own style, and after writing “Epiphany Gateways” a few years later stood out from the rest of the literature. The plot tells about an English engineer who came to work in Russia, he writes letters to his relatives and tells how he lives here.
An English specialist, an engineer, arrives in Peter’s Russia. In the letters he sends to his relatives, he tells about how he lives in Russia. But he writes them so vividly, so richly, that it is a pleasure to read. At the same time, this work provides food for thought. But if you are looking for something light, you will hardly like the work.
1. Kotlovan, 1969
Platonov is a genius of his craft. But his works are very dark and heavy. The same can be said about “Pit”, whose events in many ways resemble our present. People work, constantly do things, get chronically tired, and do not have time to live. And all for what? Illusory future…
This is a wonderful piece that makes you think. People are digging a foundation pit for a common house. We become witnesses of how unfortunate people lived. Readers are presented with pictures of totalitarianism, forced entry into collective farms and other unpleasant moments of a bygone era.
Is it possible to get out of this hopelessness?