Yelena Furman
@yelenafurman.bsky.social
Academic, writer, book reviewer of Russian/East European/FSU immigrant literatures
Co-founder, Punctured Lines, a blog about literatures of the former USSR & diaspora, w/ Olga Zilberbourg
Co-founder, Punctured Lines, a blog about literatures of the former USSR & diaspora, w/ Olga Zilberbourg
We should change the saying to, Don't mess with California, Texas (yes, I have been waiting to say this for a while. Yes, yes, yes.)
November 5, 2025 at 4:18 AM
We should change the saying to, Don't mess with California, Texas (yes, I have been waiting to say this for a while. Yes, yes, yes.)
A brief detour from Chekhov scholarship (for class) and FSU writers' portrayals of the Holocaust and the war (for conference paper). Preface begins with discussion of Dostoevsky's near-execution.
October 29, 2025 at 1:03 AM
A brief detour from Chekhov scholarship (for class) and FSU writers' portrayals of the Holocaust and the war (for conference paper). Preface begins with discussion of Dostoevsky's near-execution.
A friendly reminder to vote if you're in California, should you need one. Come on, California, you can do this, yes, you can.
October 28, 2025 at 5:01 PM
A friendly reminder to vote if you're in California, should you need one. Come on, California, you can do this, yes, you can.
Due to my not realizing that not all early vote centers open today, I couldn't go to my local one, so I went to the one that did open today in the area, located in a park that has been the hub for Soviet Jews since, well, Soviet times. Come on, California, you can do this, yes, yes, you can, yes.😉
October 25, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Due to my not realizing that not all early vote centers open today, I couldn't go to my local one, so I went to the one that did open today in the area, located in a park that has been the hub for Soviet Jews since, well, Soviet times. Come on, California, you can do this, yes, yes, you can, yes.😉
Big thank you to @moushumighosh.bsky.social for the recommendation of this, which feeds my growing obsession with Japanese detective fiction of the twistiest kind.
(Mystery of a different kind is why this new book is covered with baked-in black stuff all over it. Yes, I did try to wipe (!) it off.)
(Mystery of a different kind is why this new book is covered with baked-in black stuff all over it. Yes, I did try to wipe (!) it off.)
October 24, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Big thank you to @moushumighosh.bsky.social for the recommendation of this, which feeds my growing obsession with Japanese detective fiction of the twistiest kind.
(Mystery of a different kind is why this new book is covered with baked-in black stuff all over it. Yes, I did try to wipe (!) it off.)
(Mystery of a different kind is why this new book is covered with baked-in black stuff all over it. Yes, I did try to wipe (!) it off.)
After many years and several times taping it in parts, this has finally happened. It tore in the middle of "Anna on the Neck," a (minor) reworking of Tolstoy. Somewhere, Michael Heim, whose class this was, is smiling or rolling his eyes at me. I taped it back up, and we carry on in his memory.
October 14, 2025 at 6:21 PM
After many years and several times taping it in parts, this has finally happened. It tore in the middle of "Anna on the Neck," a (minor) reworking of Tolstoy. Somewhere, Michael Heim, whose class this was, is smiling or rolling his eyes at me. I taped it back up, and we carry on in his memory.
The left one is a preorder picked up today; another preorder will arrive shortly; the right one was recommended on the other site a while back. The end of my gift certificate and the beginning of the academic year, when I will have loads of free time to read.
September 22, 2025 at 1:12 AM
The left one is a preorder picked up today; another preorder will arrive shortly; the right one was recommended on the other site a while back. The end of my gift certificate and the beginning of the academic year, when I will have loads of free time to read.
Having three other books to read for various deadlines, I obviously started this one. Detective fiction and London - what could be better.
As always, pretty sure (?) thanks go to @kaggsy59.bsky.social for the suggestion of this title.
As always, pretty sure (?) thanks go to @kaggsy59.bsky.social for the suggestion of this title.
August 5, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Having three other books to read for various deadlines, I obviously started this one. Detective fiction and London - what could be better.
As always, pretty sure (?) thanks go to @kaggsy59.bsky.social for the suggestion of this title.
As always, pretty sure (?) thanks go to @kaggsy59.bsky.social for the suggestion of this title.
More murderous poolside reading, based on Jack the Ripper.
In England last December, revisited the London Dungeon and stayed in Whitechapel, where there was a fish and chips shop named Jack the Chipper. Didn't go in, but there's always next time.
In England last December, revisited the London Dungeon and stayed in Whitechapel, where there was a fish and chips shop named Jack the Chipper. Didn't go in, but there's always next time.
July 30, 2025 at 12:26 AM
More murderous poolside reading, based on Jack the Ripper.
In England last December, revisited the London Dungeon and stayed in Whitechapel, where there was a fish and chips shop named Jack the Chipper. Didn't go in, but there's always next time.
In England last December, revisited the London Dungeon and stayed in Whitechapel, where there was a fish and chips shop named Jack the Chipper. Didn't go in, but there's always next time.
Poolside murder read (I wasn't the one in the pool).
As I learned, Roger Scarlett is the pseudonym of Dorothy Blair and Evelyn Page, a same-sex couple who co-wrote a series of murder mysteries in the 1930s. The intro to this novel uses the word "womanfully" to describe some of their actions.
As I learned, Roger Scarlett is the pseudonym of Dorothy Blair and Evelyn Page, a same-sex couple who co-wrote a series of murder mysteries in the 1930s. The intro to this novel uses the word "womanfully" to describe some of their actions.
July 23, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Poolside murder read (I wasn't the one in the pool).
As I learned, Roger Scarlett is the pseudonym of Dorothy Blair and Evelyn Page, a same-sex couple who co-wrote a series of murder mysteries in the 1930s. The intro to this novel uses the word "womanfully" to describe some of their actions.
As I learned, Roger Scarlett is the pseudonym of Dorothy Blair and Evelyn Page, a same-sex couple who co-wrote a series of murder mysteries in the 1930s. The intro to this novel uses the word "womanfully" to describe some of their actions.
ICYMI online, it's now in print (my review of Maya Arad's Happy New Years, with the line about Stanford tuition in the early 90s, which isn't in the review and isn't the only reason to read this book).
July 19, 2025 at 8:47 PM
ICYMI online, it's now in print (my review of Maya Arad's Happy New Years, with the line about Stanford tuition in the early 90s, which isn't in the review and isn't the only reason to read this book).
Griffith Observatory, first time since before the pandemic. Gorgeous views and an interior reminding us how small we are in the vastness of space, and how wondrous.
July 13, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Griffith Observatory, first time since before the pandemic. Gorgeous views and an interior reminding us how small we are in the vastness of space, and how wondrous.
I question my public library's definition of YA. (Due to access to various university libraries over the years, I haven't used one in several decades. The branch is lovely, if possessed of an odd classification system.)
July 8, 2025 at 1:11 AM
I question my public library's definition of YA. (Due to access to various university libraries over the years, I haven't used one in several decades. The branch is lovely, if possessed of an odd classification system.)
FINALLY made it to the Broad,
with an impressive collection, as well as the mirrored Infinity Room. Then walked around downtown, which is not, and never has been a war zone.
with an impressive collection, as well as the mirrored Infinity Room. Then walked around downtown, which is not, and never has been a war zone.
July 7, 2025 at 3:38 AM
FINALLY made it to the Broad,
with an impressive collection, as well as the mirrored Infinity Room. Then walked around downtown, which is not, and never has been a war zone.
with an impressive collection, as well as the mirrored Infinity Room. Then walked around downtown, which is not, and never has been a war zone.
Current read. Under the cheerful pink cover, hopefully gruesome murder(s) to come.
July 5, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Current read. Under the cheerful pink cover, hopefully gruesome murder(s) to come.
Grades are in, summer has begun, detective fiction it is.
June 16, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Grades are in, summer has begun, detective fiction it is.
Reporting from the non-existent war zone: as always in LA, lots of determined, joyous energy and great signs: "Do you think Ice can stand an LA summer?" and a California flag background with the words "Weather Forecast: No ice, 80 degrees, Clear blue skies. California Forever." And ever.
June 14, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Reporting from the non-existent war zone: as always in LA, lots of determined, joyous energy and great signs: "Do you think Ice can stand an LA summer?" and a California flag background with the words "Weather Forecast: No ice, 80 degrees, Clear blue skies. California Forever." And ever.
Doing our bit from LA.
June 14, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Doing our bit from LA.
Just started, but excellent so far.
May 12, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Just started, but excellent so far.
Never having been prior to our AWP offsite reading for Ukraine, have now been here twice in the last 1.5 months. The exhibit on Soviet-Jewish identity is no longer up, but some of its spirit remains, in the books people carried. With a brilliant backdrop of the CA sun and blue skies they/we came to.
May 11, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Never having been prior to our AWP offsite reading for Ukraine, have now been here twice in the last 1.5 months. The exhibit on Soviet-Jewish identity is no longer up, but some of its spirit remains, in the books people carried. With a brilliant backdrop of the CA sun and blue skies they/we came to.
Fair enough, no one skis in that condition. I don't ski in any condition, but I certainly wouldn't in that one.
May 6, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Fair enough, no one skis in that condition. I don't ski in any condition, but I certainly wouldn't in that one.
For a timeline cleanse because the world is an absolute dumpster fire in all ways possible: a slightly odd but very cute block party celebrating 50 years of a local cookie company that started out very close to where I now live.
I ❤️ LA.
I ❤️ LA.
May 4, 2025 at 12:20 AM
For a timeline cleanse because the world is an absolute dumpster fire in all ways possible: a slightly odd but very cute block party celebrating 50 years of a local cookie company that started out very close to where I now live.
I ❤️ LA.
I ❤️ LA.
From yesterday's Thai New Year and the LA Festival of Books. The events were separate, obviously.
April 28, 2025 at 3:32 PM
From yesterday's Thai New Year and the LA Festival of Books. The events were separate, obviously.
I read, and really liked, his Shadow of the Wind years ago. Starting this one.
April 23, 2025 at 4:41 PM
I read, and really liked, his Shadow of the Wind years ago. Starting this one.
Starting my first by her, long overdue.
April 14, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Starting my first by her, long overdue.