Live data from Hacker News

A genius at suffering

newcriterion.com

1–10 of 39 posts

Re: A genius at suffering

#4
So the question is, how does one maintain hope and joy while taking human depravity seriously? My answer is: by following Christ. Some of Garshin's peers could see this but apparently Garshin himself could not.

Re: A genius at suffering

#6

It seems as is there is one common thread to Russian literature it is suffering.

I highly recommend the works of Ivan Bunin. His short story collection Sunstroke is amazing. His stories are a reflection on life's beauty.

Re: A genius at suffering

#8
At risk of triggering an uncomfortable discussion, why does it seem that European intellectuals in general appear more extreme than any of their American counterparts; and Eastern European Intellectuals take that extremeness even further, ultimately creating Communism. Is it "American Pragmatism" that prevents the extreme intellectual from forming in the United States? Is it a cultural respect for complete commitment to one's ideals in Europe that creates these widely accepted extreme intellectual personalities? I am seriously curious.

Re: A genius at suffering

#9
post #4

So the question is, how does one maintain hope and joy while taking human depravity seriously? My answer is: by following Christ. Some of Garshin's peers could see this but apparently Garshin himself could not.

aka fanatically telling yourself fairy tales until you blind yourself to reality

Re: A genius at suffering

#10
There is a Polish saying that great Polish literature requires three people to suffer: the main character, the writer and the reader. If all three are suffering book becomes part of the school curriculum.
Post reply on HN