Literary Vodka

Looking over the 20th century, the book considers the general state of vodka during the wars and under communism, and how it fared under Lenin, Stalin, and their successors. Alcoholism seems to have increased on a national level in the second half of the century, leading to some staggering statistics:.


  1. Die Einladung (German Edition)!
  2. Chant dautomne - Op. 5, No. 1.
  3. Taste of The Islands and More!

Those who were less well off spent comparatively more: Vodka was also a crucial export: Documentary filmmaker and author Edwin Trommelen is a life-long Russophile, an inveterate plumber of the mysterious Russian soul, and, of course, a lover of vodka. A native of Charlotte, N.

He has written for Nylon , Wondering Sound, Vol.

He also co-writes an experiential music blog called Dear Jerks. He lives in Brooklyn. Please visit him at http: In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all fa You cannot separate Russians from their vodka or vodka from Russia. In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex and rich portrait.

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka - Russian Life

In addition, most all of the hundreds of wonderful quotes from literature, theater and poetry are presented in both their Russian original and English translation, making this also a useful guide to improving one's Russian through the lens of this ancient drink. Paperback , pages. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about Davai!

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Jun 07, Darren rated it it was amazing. To many people vodka is just vodka, a clear alcoholic drink, yet such a blanket determination will be offensive to many nationalities, particularly Russians, who can hold such ferocious loyalties to their favourite drink that would put many Scots to shame. This translated book is a comprehensive treatise about vodka, much more than "just" an A to Z run through. It is thorough, complex, involved and dedicated to just vodka, yet the book manages to be accessible to the average interested reader e To many people vodka is just vodka, a clear alcoholic drink, yet such a blanket determination will be offensive to many nationalities, particularly Russians, who can hold such ferocious loyalties to their favourite drink that would put many Scots to shame.

It is thorough, complex, involved and dedicated to just vodka, yet the book manages to be accessible to the average interested reader even though it is written to an academic-plus level. The best of both worlds in fact. First impressions can and are deceiving and the more one became drawn into this book the less awareness one had as to time passing by. There is probably far much more information about vodka than you'd ever need or want to know, yet that is no bad thing.

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

Whether you are interested in the historic or sociological side of vodka, you're covered. Interested more in culinary matters? If you've bumped your head against the corner of a cupboard or the table when getting out of bed, and a lump's sprung up on your forehead, then all you have to do is drink a glassful before dinner. The minute you take your hand away, the lump will disappear, as if it had never been there at all.

Now you don't pour the dear stuff into any old glass You must pour it into an antediluvian glass made of silver, one which belonged to your grandfather, or into a pot-bellied glass bearing the inscription "Even Monks Imbibe!

About the Author

First you take a deep breath, wipe your hands, and glance up at the ceiling to demonstrate your indifference. Only then do you raise that vodka slowly to your lips and suddenly. They fly from your stomach to the furthest reaches of your body. Nobody knows what Russia is made of, or what it is liable to cause its inhabitants to do next.