I am a literary giant in Russia

Chapter 19 Forced Keyboard Politics
While young people near the bookstore and in the cafe were enthusiastically discussing the two novels "Vanka" and "Miserableness", as well as Mikhail, the mysterious author who suddenly appeared, Mikhail was sleeping soundly on his sofa wrapped in a blanket, and on the desk next to him were sheets of handwritten manuscripts.

Before the royalties arrived, Mikhail had been trying to reduce his activities as much as possible these days. After all, as long as he didn't move, his body would be more resistant to hunger.

Therefore, apart from eating Demi's food, Mikhail has simply become a stay-at-home these days and continued with his current career.

But if nothing unexpected happens, it will be a busy period. After all, after the article is published, Belinsky, who finally has some free time, will naturally introduce Mikhail into their circle, and some socializing will probably be inevitable at that time.

Just when Mikhail was still immersed in his dreams, there was a sudden knock on the door. After knocking for a while, Mikhail finally opened his eyes, yawned, and went to open the door.

"Good morning, Mikhail." Nastasya, the old maid holding something in her hand, looked at the sleepy Mikhail and continued, "You sleep like a noble lord. The food arrived this morning, but it's almost noon now and lunch is about to start, so I just knocked on the door to find you."

To be honest, Nastasia rarely saw Mikhail sleeping like this. In today's St. Petersburg, an ordinary citizen who wanted to support himself and his family might not be able to live a good life if he worked hard all day long, let alone lying at home and taking a nap.

It was normal for hired maids like her to get up at four or five in the morning to work.

But thinking about the other person's identity as a college student, Nastasia seemed to understand a little bit...

Mikhail was stunned at first when he heard Nastasia's words. After a moment's reaction, he laughed and said, "I'll just take it as a compliment. Thank you, dear Nastasia."

That seems to be true. Thinking about the average working hours of workers in most capitalist countries these days, Mikhail suddenly thought, well, how can 996 not be a blessing?

I declare it's really a cut above this year...

Also, judging by the time, the bearded guy in Germany will probably be making his own declaration soon.

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Mikhail reached out and took the package that Nastasia handed over. After weighing its weight and thickness, Mikhail knew in his heart that it must be the sample magazine.

"Is this a book someone sent you? It's a thick one." Before Mikhail could open it, the talkative old maid Nastasya asked, "A book like this is not cheap."

There is no doubt that although printing technology had been introduced to Russia at this time, books were still a luxury for most Russian people, and they were indeed illiterate.

"I guess so." Thinking of the old maid's big mouth, Mikhail simply stopped what he was doing and said vaguely, "I'll go to eat later. You go first, Nastasia."

"Okay." The old maid said goodbye and left, seeming a little regretful.

After seeing Nastasia off, Mikhail opened the package and began to look at the magazines of that period with great interest.

The quality of the paper was a bit poor, but it was indeed very thick, and various literary genres could be seen on it. While Mikhail took a quick look at how the two novels "Vanka" and "Miserableness" were printed, he quickly turned to Belinsky's comments at the back.

After taking a careful look, Mikhail's mouth couldn't help but twitch, and his face turned slightly green.

As to why this is the case, we have to mention how Russian critics conduct their comments today.

In short, these critics like to convey their own views on social reality, political system, artistic concepts, culture, etc. while commenting on other people's articles.

For example, consider Gogol today. Although much of his later works are intensely satirical, Gogol was, in fact, gentle and kind, with a deep affection for his country and even the Tsar. His early masterpiece, Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka, which caused a sensation in the literary world, also focuses on the dreamy and sweet Russian countryside.

Even though his writing style took a turn later, Gogol always insisted that his works were well-intentioned, that is, to correct society through "laughter" and provide some help to his beloved Russia.

However, after the publication of Dead Souls, democratic critics represented by Belinsky constantly reiterated the critical significance of Dead Souls to reality and constantly emphasized the hostile stance of Dead Souls and its author towards the existing order.

After all this, Gogol, who had always been cautious and even a little timid, was really scared, so much so that when he wrote the second part of "Dead Souls", he wanted to describe Russia and the Russians in a positive way.

But this kind of positive and affirmative article has always been difficult to write, especially when the reality is laid nakedly before people. How blind must one be to choose to turn a blind eye?
So even a great writer like Gogol still failed when faced with this problem and was unable to finish the second part of "Dead Souls".

In short, Gogol was by no means a fighter in terms of his personality, but his works undoubtedly reflected this tendency.

In order to be of benefit to society, critics inevitably bring their own personal tendencies and enthusiasms when interpreting literary works. But the problem is that the critics criticize so fiercely that in the end, the public really believes that the author himself is strongly dissatisfied with reality.

This contradiction and disagreement also became the root cause of the later split between Belinsky and Gogol.

This kind of thing is certainly not an isolated case. For example, our Turgenev was also scared to death by a critic's article, and a series of events happened as a result.

Of course, let's talk about this later. After all, the day when Mikhail will meet Turgenev is probably coming soon.

Back to the present, there is nothing wrong with Belinsky's review article in general. It really praises Mikhail as a genius.

But then again, with Belinsky's attention to social reality and the distinct standpoint of the lower classes in Mikhail's two novels, this outstanding critic naturally started typing without noticing...

Mikhail really doesn't want to be involved in politics for the time being. After all, one can easily guess what the consequences will be if one dares to be involved in politics these days. But he can't help but feel that someone has already started doing it for him...

But I have to say that, despite his criticisms, Belinsky's commentary was really well written.

In later generations, many of the critics' articles would not even give you a word of advice, let alone talk to you about social realities, criticize current ills, or speak for more people.

I can only say that once the funding stopped, many of them became obedient...

As he read, Mikhail suddenly felt that what Belinsky wrote seemed to be quite right...

Pooh!
This idea is too dangerous...

After looking at it carefully for a while, Mikhail just shook his head helplessly, then took the magazine in his hand and prepared to go downstairs to eat.

Never mind, just press the key, it will be fine for now...

(End of this chapter)