I am a literary giant in Russia

Chapter 39: Hunter's Notes

While waiting for his novel to pass the review, Mikhail's only outdoor activity, apart from his daily study and writing, was to go to parties and salons to eat and drink. Since Mikhail was not keen on socializing, his main battlefield so far is still at Panaev's house.

However, as he gradually got to know other people better, Mikhail also had many opportunities to go to other salons and parties. The first one to come was the invitation from my brother Turgenev:
"Hey! Mikhail, a young man like you can't stay at home all the time. You should go out and socialize more, see more things and see more people, and communicate more with those lovely ladies. With your looks and talents, they will definitely fall in love with you as long as they get to know you a little bit!

And do you know how much people in St. Petersburg's cultural circles are talking about you lately? Half of St. Petersburg is talking about you now! Everyone wants to meet you, hear how you wrote your novel, and even hear you read it!

Mikhail: “?”

I didn't know so many people wanted to see me.
But think about it from another perspective, he stays at home all day and night, so it seems that there is no chance for others to invite him.
Mikhail: “!!!”

damn it!
How many dinner parties have I missed?!

Thinking about what those rich people eat all day long, and then thinking about what he eats on a daily basis, Mikhail slapped his thigh in regret.

Fortunately, although my brother Tu likes to show off and has a bit of a bad mouth, he is indeed a decent person. After learning that Mikhail really seemed to be unaware of the situation, my brother Tu immediately slapped his thigh:
"Mikhail, if there are any gatherings or salons in a few days, I will take you there directly! Those gentlemen and ladies will definitely be very happy to see you. And I remember that you seem to have never been in love. This is not good, dear Mikhail. How can people live without love?
I know you may still be young and inexperienced, and don't know how to deal with women, but it doesn't matter. Next time you go with me, just watch me and learn from me. As long as you can learn even a little bit of my skills, that will be enough for you, Mikhail!"

Mikhail: “.”

Still bragging, if you were really that awesome you wouldn't have been left hanging for so many years
But then again, this question is not important. Mikhail must ask the more important question himself.

So when they were once again at Panaev's house, eating and drinking for free and discussing art and philosophy, Mikhail couldn't help but ask:
"And do those gentlemen provide meals when they hold their salons?"

"Free meals?" After meeting several times, Turgenev had almost gotten used to Mikhail's somewhat unfamiliar but understandable way of expressing himself, so he nodded and said,
"Of course, a truly educated aristocrat would never let his guests go out hungry. But the point of a gathering like this is never this. It's about being able to interact with those respectable gentlemen, listening to their life and artistic experiences, and feeling the beating of the light of thought and wisdom!"

Mikhail: “.”

All I saw was beef, cod, roast grouse, puff pastry, and white bread dancing before my eyes.

However, there was no way to tell this kind of thing to others. If these well-fed and well-dressed nobles thought that Mikhail had no taste and stopped inviting him, it would be a big loss.

Therefore, Mikhail agreed to Turgenev's invitation and also skipped the topic. And this time, perhaps because he had become more familiar with Mikhail, Turgenev, who had always been a cheerful young man, was unusually serious at this moment. After thinking for a while, Turgenev looked at Mikhail who was quietly finishing his food and asked:
"Dear Mikhail, could I ask you for some advice on writing?"

Mikhail: “?”

ha?
who are you?
Who will you ask questions to then?
me?

Surprised, Mikhail had even stopped eating unconsciously. After a while, he finally closed his slightly open mouth and nodded. "Ask anything you want to ask. I'll tell you everything I can."

"After reading your works, dear Vissarion often tells me about the literary concept and literary creation method he affirms. Although he uses the works of the great Alexander (Pushkin) and Gogol as examples, I am sometimes confused about the popular nature and reality he mentioned.

You know, this is far from the artistic style that has always been popular in Russia.

But when I saw those two pieces of your work, it was as if I had been looked at by the Muse. All the things that had previously confused and incomprehensible suddenly became clear to me! I never had the chance to express to you how excited I was when I saw your work, but now I can finally tell you everything!

Mikhail had been listening very attentively, but after a long while, seeing that Turgenev's flattery hadn't stopped, Mikhail could only smile and nod repeatedly, and appropriately reminded him: "So what do you want to ask, Ivan? Just say it."

"Then I'll say it clearly." After Turgenev calmed down, his face was serious, but also unconsciously a little sad:
“After seeing your work, I wanted to learn from your ideas and observe the people in St. Petersburg who have always been ignored by us, but I found that I really knew so little about them that I couldn’t even give the most basic description.

I also try to observe carefully, but when I appear next to them, they often feel very uncomfortable and can't do their work at all. But I really can't write something for them? I often think about this.

"Ivan, when writing, you usually start with the people and things you're most familiar with. It's hard to achieve the desired effect in a short period of time when dealing with people you know nothing about."

Shaking his head, Mikhail looked at Turgenev, who seemed a little depressed, and continued:

"But think about it. You're a little far away from some people in St. Petersburg today, but do you really have no one you know? Those who are closest to you, the people who have walked and run past you time and time again."

"You mean"

(End of this chapter)