Han Ong Reads Lyudmila Ulitskaya
Summary
Deborah Treisman and guest Han Ong discuss Lyudmila Ulitskaya’s “The Fugitive,” a story about a Soviet dissident artist evading arrest. Ong shares his admiration for Ulitskaya’s moral courage and the tale’s thrilling spy elements. The episode features Ong reading the story, which follows the protagonist’s rural hiding and artistic transformation amidst political oppression.
Topics discussed
Sponsor reads for Monarch, Bilt, and Gusto
Introduction of Han Ong and Lyudmila Ulitskaya
Reading: The Fugitive - The raid and escape
Reading: Hiding in the village with Nikolai
Reading: Life with Baba Nura and the bathhouse scene
Reading: The police visit and aftermath
Discussion: Tone, humor, and Ulitskaya's style
Discussion: Boris's competence and survival
Discussion: Artistic awakening and drawing the old women
Discussion: Sensuality, downfall, and Russian history
Outro and sponsor reads for ChatGPT and The Bear
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