Jack London (1876 -- 1916)

Jack London's popularity in Russia stemmed from a confluence of factors:

-- Socialist themes: London was a vocal advocate for socialism
and workers' rights, which resonated with the communist ideology of the
Soviet Union. His works like "The Iron Heel" depicting a dystopian
capitalist society fit well with the Soviet narrative.

-- Struggle for survival: Many of London's most famous stories,
like "The Call of the Wild" and "White Fang," depict characters battling
the harsh elements and social Darwinist struggles. This resonated
with the hardships faced by the Russian people, especially during the
revolutions and early Soviet period.

-- Everyman's hero: London's protagonists often rose from humble
beginnings, overcoming challenges through strength and resilience. This
appealed to the Russian desire for heroes who embodied the spirit of the
common people.

-- Accessibility: Unlike some complex literary works, London's
adventure stories were known for their straightforward prose and
exciting narratives, making them widely accessible to Russian readers.

It's interesting to note that some of London's views, like his
occasional racial stereotypes, wouldn't be considered acceptable today.

However, during his time, his socialist leanings and focus on the
underdog made him a popular figure in Soviet Russia, even for leader
Vladimir Lenin.

On 27/03/2024 2:19 p.m., HenHanna wrote:
>
> Jack London (1876 -- 1916)
>
>
> Jack London's popularity in Russia stemmed from a confluence of factors:
>
> --  Socialist themes:          London was a vocal advocate for socialism
> and workers' rights, which resonated with the communist ideology of the
> Soviet Union.      His works like "The Iron Heel" depicting a dystopian
> capitalist society fit well with the Soviet narrative.
>
> --  Struggle for survival:     Many of London's most famous stories,
> like "The Call of the Wild" and "White Fang," depict characters battling
> the harsh elements and social Darwinist struggles.     This resonated
> with the hardships faced by the Russian people, especially during the
> revolutions and early Soviet period.
>
> --  Everyman's hero:     London's protagonists often rose from humble
> beginnings, overcoming challenges through strength and resilience. This
> appealed to the Russian desire for heroes who embodied the spirit of the
> common people.
>
> -- Accessibility:     Unlike some complex literary works, London's
> adventure stories were known for their straightforward prose and
> exciting narratives, making them widely accessible to Russian readers.
>
>
> It's interesting to note that some of London's views, like his
> occasional racial stereotypes, wouldn't be considered acceptable today.
>
> However, during his time, his socialist leanings and focus on the
> underdog made him a popular figure in Soviet Russia, even for leader
> Vladimir Lenin.

That makes sense.

I had the same impression about London's popularity in the Soviet Union
at that time. I never visited Russia, but I was studying the language,
and my impression may have been based on Russian translations of English
books that were available in the local Communist bookstore.

Another writer that apparently was favoured at that time was John
Galsworthy. Not having read him at all, I had the impression he was just
a chronicler of the English bourgeoisie, so he seemed like a strange
choice. However, quotes like the following from Wikipedia suggest
reasons not unlike the above cited for London:

"As a dramatist he became known for plays with a social message,
reflecting, among other themes, the struggle of workers against
exploitation, the use of solitary confinement in prisons, the repression
of women, and jingoism and the politics and morality of war."

"As well as writing plays and novels with social messages, Galsworthy
campaigned continually for a wide range of causes about which he felt
strongly, from animal welfare to prison reform, censorship and workers'
rights. Although seen by many as a radical, he belonged to and supported
no political party."

"The literary modernists of his day deplored Galsworthy's books, and
those of his contemporaries H. G. Wells and Arnold Bennett."

Edmund Wilson was into Russian, etc.


and... Wasn't H.G. Wells a sucker for Russian women?


There's some truth to that! H.G. Wells did have a passionate relationship with a Russian woman named Moura Budberg.

Here's the breakdown:

The Relationship: Wells met Budberg during a visit to Russia in 1920. He was already a famous author, while Budberg was a fascinating woman with a complex past (possibly even a spy). They became lovers, despite a significant age difference (Wells was much older).

The Allure: There's no single reason for Wells' infatuation. Budberg's intelligence, multilingualism, and connection to Russian social circles likely played a role.

Beyond Romance: The relationship wasn't all smooth sailing. Some believe Budberg used Wells to gather information, while others see a genuine connection. Regardless, their affair lasted for several years.

So, while "sucker" might be a strong term, H.G. Wells was certainly captivated by Moura Budberg.

This relationship even influenced some of his writings.

Ross Clark <benlizro@ihug.co.nz> wrote:
> On 27/03/2024 2:19 p.m., HenHanna wrote:
>>
>> Jack London (1876 -- 1916)
>>
>>
>> Jack London's popularity in Russia stemmed from a confluence of factors:
>>
>> --  Socialist themes:          London was a vocal advocate for socialism
>> and workers' rights, which resonated with the communist ideology of the
>> Soviet Union.      His works like "The Iron Heel" depicting a dystopian
>> capitalist society fit well with the Soviet narrative.
>>
>> --  Struggle for survival:     Many of London's most famous stories,
>> like "The Call of the Wild" and "White Fang," depict characters battling
>> the harsh elements and social Darwinist struggles.     This resonated
>> with the hardships faced by the Russian people, especially during the
>> revolutions and early Soviet period.
>>
>> --  Everyman's hero:     London's protagonists often rose from humble
>> beginnings, overcoming challenges through strength and resilience. This
>> appealed to the Russian desire for heroes who embodied the spirit of the
>> common people.
>>
>> -- Accessibility:     Unlike some complex literary works, London's
>> adventure stories were known for their straightforward prose and
>> exciting narratives, making them widely accessible to Russian readers.
>>
>>
>> It's interesting to note that some of London's views, like his
>> occasional racial stereotypes, wouldn't be considered acceptable today.
>>
>> However, during his time, his socialist leanings and focus on the
>> underdog made him a popular figure in Soviet Russia, even for leader
>> Vladimir Lenin.
>
> That makes sense.
>
> I had the same impression about London's popularity in the Soviet Union
> at that time. I never visited Russia, but I was studying the language,
> and my impression may have been based on Russian translations of English
> books that were available in the local Communist bookstore.

Years ago there was a lady here (in sci.lang, I think) who mentioned Jack
London's russian translations were better than the originals.

> Another writer that apparently was favoured at that time was John
> Galsworthy. Not having read him at all, I had the impression he was just
> a chronicler of the English bourgeoisie, so he seemed like a strange
> choice.

Wasn't it Marx who enjoyed Balzac?

Antonio Marques wrote:

> Ross Clark <benlizro@ihug.co.nz> wrote:
>> On 27/03/2024 2:19 p.m., HenHanna wrote:
>>>
>>> Jack London (1876 -- 1916)
>>>
>>>
>>> Jack London's popularity in Russia stemmed from a confluence of factors:
>>>
>>> --  Socialist themes:          London was a vocal advocate for socialism
>>> and workers' rights, which resonated with the communist ideology of the
>>> Soviet Union.      His works like "The Iron Heel" depicting a dystopian
>>> capitalist society fit well with the Soviet narrative.
>>>
>>> --  Struggle for survival:     Many of London's most famous stories,
>>> like "The Call of the Wild" and "White Fang," depict characters battling
>>> the harsh elements and social Darwinist struggles.     This resonated
>>> with the hardships faced by the Russian people, especially during the
>>> revolutions and early Soviet period.
>>>
>>> --  Everyman's hero:     London's protagonists often rose from humble
>>> beginnings, overcoming challenges through strength and resilience. This
>>> appealed to the Russian desire for heroes who embodied the spirit of the
>>> common people.
>>>
>>> -- Accessibility:     Unlike some complex literary works, London's
>>> adventure stories were known for their straightforward prose and
>>> exciting narratives, making them widely accessible to Russian readers.
>>>
>>>
>>> It's interesting to note that some of London's views, like his
>>> occasional racial stereotypes, wouldn't be considered acceptable today.
>>>
>>> However, during his time, his socialist leanings and focus on the
>>> underdog made him a popular figure in Soviet Russia, even for leader Vladimir Lenin.

>>
>> That makes sense.
>>
>> I had the same impression about London's popularity in the Soviet Union
>> at that time. I never visited Russia, but I was studying the language,
>> and my impression may have been based on Russian translations of English
>> books that were available in the local Communist bookstore.

> Years ago there was a lady here (in sci.lang, I think) who mentioned Jack
> London's russian translations were better than the originals.

i dn't remember a lady...

i remember PTD and AF (?) and the Polyglot man , who was really harsh and abusive.