Ulitskaya: Those who write off, remain in the second year. For a second term. For the second century

Photo: Facebook Tatyana Nesterova

Lyudmila Ulitskaya. Her name is familiar to most Russian-speaking readers all over the world and has become synonymous with amazing, terrific and honest books, unparalleled. Her works have long been included in the category of those who in no case should not be missed. Her sincere and direct statements about what is happening in our days in Russia excite the information space.

Last weekend, a meeting of readers with this famous Russian writer took place in the Brooklyn Library of New York.

About a hundred people came to personally see and communicate with the winner of the prestigious Russian Booker literary award. Mostly representatives of the older generation were present in the hall.

Lyudmila Ulitskaya thanked all those who responded to the invitation. Initially, the event was to take place on Saturday, but due to a snow storm, the creative evening was postponed for two days.

The writer came to New York to present her new novel, Jacob's Ladder, released last October, and then answered questions from the audience. Lyudmila Ulitskaya spoke in Russian, but English-speaking admirers of her talent can also meet the writer - today at 19:30 at the Brooklyn Library.

Ulitskaya worked on her new novel “Jacob’s Ladder” for four years. When the book “The Green Tent” was published in 2011, the writer said that she was giving up novels and starting to master other genres.

But it so happened that Lyudmila Ulitskaya, studying related roots, came across the correspondence of her grandfather Jacob Ulitsky with his relatives. Entries interested writer, and she turned for more information in the KGB archives. There Lyudmila Evgenievna found what, according to her, could not but share.

These letters formed the basis of the new novel “Jacob’s Ladder,” which takes place from 1911 to 2011—exactly a century. Ulitskaya talks about six generations of the Ossetsky family. At the center of the story are two heroes - Yakov, an intellectual worker, and his granddaughter Nora, a theater artist.

They will meet only once, when Nora turns thirteen. And already at a very old age, the heroine will find Jacob’s correspondence with his parents, wife and son. For Nora this will be a real discovery. The letters will feature Isadora Duncan and Nadezhda Krupskaya, and there will be stories about Sergei Rachmaninov and Romain Rolland. Yakov also talks a lot about music, literature, and theater. In one novel, the author talks about two lives running in parallel - the life of Nora and the Life of Jacob. At the end of the novel, Ulitskaya will remember the symbolic biblical story of Jacob, who dreamed of a ladder connecting earth and heaven.

Lyudmila Ulitskaya is no longer going to write novels. Photo by Denis Cheredov

Before meeting with readers in New York, ForumDaily talked with Lyudmila Ulitskaya about how she lives in Russia, whether the writer is going to emigrate, and much more.

Lyudmila Evgenievna, how often do you come to the USA? Why did you decide to organize a presentation of the new book “Jacob’s Ladder” in New York?

I visited New York quite often when my children studied and lived here, this was in the 90s. In general, the presentation is usually initiated not by the author, but by the publishing house. I was invited by the Farrah and Ostrich publishing house, which published the last novel “The Green Tent” in English, and they are going to publish “The Staircase” as well. There are other things to do and meetings. In this case, there were several more invitations to perform from different places.

In the book you tell about the fate of Nora. How do people like Nora live in Russia now?

People like me and Nora always live well when there is work. And if there is no work, Nora and I can invent it.

Do people need truth in Russia today?

No people in any country need any truth. Need security, some material security, medical care. But the truth is, who knows what she looks like?

Do you think the Russians have changed over the past 15 years, that is, during Putin’s time in office?

No, it is naive to assume that people can change in such a short time. All the same. And even the housing problem did not spoil them as Bulgakov believed.

Can literature in Russia today change something in people? Do you see it somehow?

Literature is not able to change people, especially in such short periods of time, but on television and radio it works great. Do not forget that according to world statistics, only 7 percent of people read books. Not even 14.

Which modern Russian authors are you reading?

I do not read modern prose, I prefer the poetry of the 19-20 century.

Do you think about the future of the country - this is what, for example, it will be in 15-20 years? How do you see this future?

I am more concerned about today, not tomorrow. The catastrophe to be experienced by mankind will not be local. This will take care brainless hawks of all stripes.

Do you consider yourself an oppositionist?

I do not consider myself either an oppositionist or a dissident. I consider myself a sensible person. But if you prefer this terminology, consider me an opposition opposition.

Who is your reader? Is your audience changing over time? How does this happen?

I started writing for my friends. Then it turned out that outsiders are reading. I had to consider them as my friends. There are more young among my readers, it makes me very happy. But not particularly surprising. The gap in perception between generations in the circle to which I belong, is constantly decreasing. We have much more in common with our children than my generation had with our parents. Only they are often more educated than us. It is wonderful.

Have you ever thought about emigration? What makes you live in Russia?

I thought about emigration in 70-80's, now I think about other things that are more interesting to me. I live exactly where I want. Nobody makes me live in Russia. Life in Russia is very interesting for many reasons, but it is difficult to live there, in Italy it is more pleasant.

When you cross the border of Russia and find yourself in another country, do you feel something inside of you, or do you have no borders for you?

Even as they exist! And can slam at any time.

Different segments of the story and the events taking place in them present some lessons to the descendants. What can be the historical lessons of the time in which we live, that is, the last 10-15 years?

Which lessons? It’s like at school - some solve a new geometry problem right away, while others strive to copy it. About 86 percent are. They don't reach the matriculation certificate. And they just stay for the second year. For a second term. For the second century.

Is Jacob's Ladder your last novel? Are there any new ideas now?

No, I am not going to write a new novel. I'm going to do completely different things. There are many other exciting activities in the world.

Ludmila Ulitskaya's books can be bought on Amazon:

Daniel Stein, translator

Sonechka

That and this light. Novel

Kazus Kukotsky

Poor, evil, beloved

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