The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years by Chinghiz Aitmatov

Tschingis Aitmatows Roman aus den achtziger Jahren steht im Zentrum dieses Buchclubs. Die Handlung kreist um einen entlegenen Eisenbahnknotenpunkt und verwebt sowjetische Geschichte mit Legenden und Science-Fiction-Elementen. Der Text nutzt Tiere und Züge als Symbole für menschliches Versagen und Fortschritt. Die thematische Breite reicht von Politik und Religion bis hin zu zwischenmenschlichen Leidenschaften wie Neid und Liebe. Die Runde richtet sich an Interessierte der slawischen Literatur. Es wird vorausgesetzt, dass das Buch vorab gelesen wurde, um einen Austausch über die literarischen Bezüge zu ermöglichen.

We return to our project of reading and discussing Russian/Soviet literature after the summer break. This time 1980s «И дольше века длится день». There are both English and German translations out and still to be found in Berlin libraries. I hope all those willing to join the event will be able to get hold of a copy. Slavic review writes about the novel: „A forlorn railway junction is central to the action of the novel, yet thanks to the rich tapestry of images and human emotions the reading never becomes boring. As so often in Aitmatov's work, animals are used as symbols of the achievements and failures of human beings, from the frightened vixen on the ground (and the children along the railroad) to the proudly soaring eagle (and the travelers in space). The trains, too, have become an important persona against which the vicissitudes of life are constantly gauged. With respect to its themes of religion, legends and magic, politics, love and other passions (greed, competition, envy), The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years is reminiscent in scope of Mikhail Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita.“ I am excited to discuss the book with you.