Ukraine Crisis - By Olivier5
Often I check on this forum devoted to the SMO in Ukraine. Mostly guys yelling at one another, but there is this poster, "Custine", dropping tart aphorisms I kinda like. E.g.:
"In Russia, whatever the appearance of things, violence and arbitrary rule is at the bottom of them all."
It took me some time to get that these were quotes from Russia in 1839, by Marquis de Custine, an imitator of Tocqueville. The book he published in Paris, after meeting a clique of aristocrats in Saint Petersbourg and Moscow, drips with the usual western contempt for our mother Russia. At times it rings tragically true though, and current.
So I posted another quote of his:
"In that country, a sincere man would be taken for an idiot."
The sucker PMed me: "You like Custine?" We chatted a bit. I think he liked me, or rather my pretense of your average American dude. I got his IP easily. Turns out he's Russian. Emigrated to the US in 2015. He teaches Russian literature at NYU, Tolstoy Pushkin Dostoevsky... I saw his lectures on Youtube. Pretty boring!
Regardless, I'm gonna drop spyware on him, just in case.
"In Russia, whatever the appearance of things, violence and arbitrary rule is at the bottom of them all."
It took me some time to get that these were quotes from Russia in 1839, by Marquis de Custine, an imitator of Tocqueville. The book he published in Paris, after meeting a clique of aristocrats in Saint Petersbourg and Moscow, drips with the usual western contempt for our mother Russia. At times it rings tragically true though, and current.
So I posted another quote of his:
"In that country, a sincere man would be taken for an idiot."
The sucker PMed me: "You like Custine?" We chatted a bit. I think he liked me, or rather my pretense of your average American dude. I got his IP easily. Turns out he's Russian. Emigrated to the US in 2015. He teaches Russian literature at NYU, Tolstoy Pushkin Dostoevsky... I saw his lectures on Youtube. Pretty boring!
Regardless, I'm gonna drop spyware on him, just in case.
Comments (48)
Quoting Caldwell
I guess Dostoevsky took him up on that.
:up:
This one is not a short story at all. The author just shared an experience with a thread of the forum. It is far away from all the other stories where the authors put effort on them.
The author just switched the name of one user and mixed up the conversation with a story of spies.
It is like if I write a short story based on a PM I had with you. I switch your name and cause and then, I write it. At least I personally don't see it "imaginative"
At least that's how I see it :eyes:
*I'm supposed to be in bed, but I couldn't let this one go tonight without saying anything -- hence, a headache at the moment* :shade:
This is very Edgar Allan Poe-esque. Cleverly written in plain, salty language -- the injury of the insult caused by Custine, the plotting by our hero -- the baiting of the "enemy", then finally the revenge.
The title is forgivable -- it rings tragically true, and current -- says our hero.
Goodnight.
:clap: :clap: :clap:
A quick response in delight at this micro-fiction response to a dare.
For context:
In the Short Story 4 discussion thread, the challenge was met with this gem:
Interesting responses so far:
Quoting Banno
Quoting Mikie
Quoting javi2541997
I disagree with those that suggest it is not short story fiction. It might very well be based on the experience of the original 'Ukraine Crisis' thread. But this, as a countermeasure, is exactly what I had hoped for!
Previously:
It was kinda tongue-in-cheek, so please no warriors hunting me down, pretty please :pray:
We are having fun; playing with imagination and perspectives.
My suggestion that:
was met with Vera's:
There's a kiss'o'death! :smile:
Again, I disagree with @javi2541997's:
Quoting javi2541997
Perhaps now you better understand why the same title!
It is not a case of substituting names. It is imaginative and I look forward to a closer reading.
What kept your interest and why did you enjoy it so?
Edit:
Quoting unenlightened
Might sound a bit disrespectful to other authors but at least you tried.
Of course, not everyone has the time or inclination to wade through so many entries.
Some are immediately attracted to a certain topic or theme and look no further.
Perhaps their loss...but each to his own.
The rest of the stories are full of imagination: characters, scenarios, plot, words, intrigue, etc... they developed a short story by their own imaginative skills.
Again, that's how I see it and we are not forced to like all the stories :blush: and that's I see why most of the members like this story: the simplistic is catching.
Again, it is just my own opinion but this is about imagination skills and for me this story is lazy. Switching names: boring.
Catching the 'simplistic'.
There is simply no hope for you :brow:
What I mean: the easiest of read, the easier to be liked.
You think that is 'why most of the members like this story'?
I liked it because I didn't know I was reading a story. "The bloody thing tricked me!"
It was also somewhat eldritch- as if someone made a thread mocking or disparaging another thread than before you know it an innocent enough man was vilified and victimized, placing the reader in the cusp of a spy vs. spy thriller with a vague backdrop of wry humor along the way.
:lol: Caught more micro readers, yay! The author did well.
Don't really know about 'eldritch' and haven't had time to read it properly.
Your description is inviting :cool:
Exactly. As why best sellers sell millions of copies. Because of their easy read :blush:
It is not a positive view in my own thought. Do not force me to like it Amity! :rofl:
You can lead a horse to water but you cant make it drink :sparkle:
Never heard that before. In full translation:
"In short, the greyhound runs more than the mastiff; But if the road is long, the mastiff runs more than the greyhound."
***
[An aside]
In politics:
Quoting If the road is long - Spain - El Pais
Wonder how that could be applied to the Ukraine Crisis :chin:
But no, that's another discussion. Another place... ]
***
Re this story and your response. Who is the greyhound and who the mastiff?
Why is it not positive for more TPF participants to be lured into the Short Story 4 - Microfiction thread?
Quoting Amity
The negative view is only in my mind, Amity. When I published my short story I didn't expect good comments but at least some members take part on it. That's what makes me happy... I mean people debating about the story and taking some notes to improve the next time rather than say "excellent" "the only one I read" as a previous user said (disrespecting the other stories)
But again, it is just my view and perspective. I understood this was not a competitive contest but a praxis to show our imagination skills.
I am not sure you understand the point I was making:
It related to encouraging more TPF members into the Exhibition/Contest.
That is:
I think it is good to have more people reading the stories, don't you?
***
Quoting javi2541997
NB. It was the only one he read 'all the way through'.
I think not everyone has the time or inclination to read all the stories to the very end.
That doesn't necessarily show disrespect.
Consider that you too could be open to accusations of not paying full attention or respect to this story.
Rightly or wrongly.
Also to the readers:
Quoting javi2541997
***
Quoting javi2541997
Thanks for the clarification. That is not how I understood the proverb.
Perhaps you are like the greyhound; speedily reaching a conclusion without taking time for closer reading and appreciation. Quick to judge and dismiss...
Slow and steady wins the race.
Enough already. I understand your view as you do mine. That's fine :sparkle:
I hope you feel better today. A lovely response to the story. I'm now gonna have to visit Edgar :nerd:
I understand that the title was mandatory, as per @Amity's dare. The author could have stuck to it better by making the victim a Ukrainian, teaching Ukrainian literature.
Anyway, we finish here our discussion and I leave you alone and don't disturb you in your analysis.
Yes. The title was 'imposed' but any potential stories could have been from all kinds of perspectives.
From cradle to grave. As a distant observer or close-up and personal.
It could even be written from Putin's point of view!
A chocoholic dog, a curious cat or an unsuspecting alien from outer space...
It's a work of imagination.
Again, you make assumptions. It is not my story and I'm not taking it personally.
I am not and never will be 'hurt' by TPF comments; so, you're good. No need to apologise :up:
Quoting javi2541997
As you wish...until the next time :flower:
There's that blurred line between art and reality that causes people to go to museums of modern art and to stare at nails in the wall and to wonder if the artist meant to show the emptiness of it all or whether they had just taken the painting down for cleaning.
In any event, I did find this story the most readable, largely because it was written as a post, and I generally don't read fiction, but I do read posts.
It is, actually.
Quoting Amity
I agree. I even searched for "Custine" on TPF: there's no mention of him in here. As told, this story did not happen on TPF.
:smile: :up:
I'm thinking @Jamal is recounting the purpose of the forums, which were obviously set up during his stint in Moscow using funding from the GRU. He's outing himself, probably looking to make a deal with the CIA.
Thanks for holding down the fort. :smile:
Yes, I feel better -- thank you.
Quoting Amity
This thought that it is not a short story fiction never crossed my mind while reading the story.
Quoting Olivier5
I wouldn't change a thing.
Shh, don't talk about GRU.
Well, it's short and sweet...and not a tiresome wrangling of...
Best leave it there :sparkle:
Well said. I didn't have the words.
I hope @javi2541997 is listening carefully :sparkle:
:up: :sparkle:
The GRU certainly are.
:grin:
This writer can write!
I tried to muddle the limit between the reality of the forum and fiction about it, written on the forum, hence I was delighted when some started to ask whether the story had happened here on TPF. Exactly the effect I was aiming for.
For the record, it did not happen anywhere. This is of course pure fiction. It was inspired by a fantastic book I am currently reading, Le Mage du Kremlin by Giuliano da Empoli, soon to be translated in English I am sure. In particular, the Marquis de Custine -- a historical but somewhat romanesque character -- was mentioned in that book.
Custine's book, La Russie en 1839, coined the phrase "Russia, prison of the peoples". It was in fact published in Brussels, away from the reach of both the French and Russian police. So I got that wrong (wrote it was published in Paris). It's polemical and highly subversive. It was banned in Russia during the empire. A full Russian translation is yet to be published.
I got the quotes from no further than Wikipedia. Reading his entry, I thought that Custine would be at ease in today's Internet forums, with his verve and polemic slant, and that what he said almost two centuries ago was still largely true... That's the whole idea.
So I agree with @javi2541997 that there wasn't much effort invested in this one. But it still worked... :-)
I kinda thought it might be you, given your high involvement in the ongoing 'Ukraine Crisis' thread.
Already on your mind and in post mode.
I laughed at your so-called search for 'Custine', knowing already the posters involved in TPF.
Quoting Olivier5
You did that so very well. It delighted me to read the reactions!
Interesting to hear of the inspiration and story behind the characters. How Custine would have fitted in well in today's internet age. His ideas more accessible.
Your entry 'worked' because it was an imaginative and swift response to a cheeky dare.
Creativity can be instantaneous and not a terrible slog. Especially if your mind is already primed with associations.
It was brilliant and more than I hoped for.
You sure can write and have fun with it.
Merci beaucoup, mon ami :flower: