I’m an American and only speak English. I read a lot and acquired this around 2019. It’s one of my favorite books of all time and am curious if it’s well known in Lithuania. I’ve never met an American who has read it, let alone heard of it.
https://i.redd.it/o3ne3rjewolg1.jpeg
Posted by Secret-Secret-No-No
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It was known in the nineties.
For certain reasons, that elude me, it was popular and talked about it. I have tried reading it but the i could not follow stream of cosnsciousnes. *And I tried, multiple times. As someone who read a book a day.*
It’s one of the more popular Lithuanian books.
I think it’s hard to find someone who hasn’t read it, even harder who hasn’t heard of it.
This books also came at an important time – just before the independance from Soviet occupation – so it’s also historically important
Yes its pretty descent, maybe was more relevant in 90s but still a good read,.
I can tell about it actually! In 2023, I volunteered in MO museum in Vilnius, which had a main explosition themed under this book. The book isn’t that popular in Lithuania, but after this museum really advertised it, it became a tad more known at least in Vilnius. I have read it and understood why it’s not that popular. Holy, it is really deep and hard to comprehend. But whoever knows about it, either really hates it (not being able to understand it at least) or likes it quite much as it gives lots of insight about the thinking of homo sovieticus. And, as this type of human still found in modern Lithuania and many post-Communist countries, it is still relevant today.
The site of Vilnius Poker exhibition in MO museum: [link! ](https://share.google/fItFJhNzXOWvvnqyI)
Somewhat classic.
Well, of course it’s well-known in Lithuania as it’s a… Lithuanian book. 😅 It’s a well-regarded book here as well.
I don’t think it’s shocking that Americans haven’t read Lithuanian author books or even heard about them. I think our books are still very much ‘niche’ in other countries. Many great Lithuanian works are also yet to be translated to English, unfortunately. Happy to hear you enjoyed it, though!
Yuh, Gavelis is quite popular (among the slightly pretentious crowd, like me), and I think pretty much everybody agrees that this a really good book.
Shame that his other books aren’t translated – I bet you’d enjoy Vilniaus Džiazas (Vilnius Jazz – very similar to VP) and Jauno Žmogaus Memuarai (Memoirs of a Youth – it’s kind of a sequel to Vilnius Jazz, really captures the soviet era depersonalization well).
One of the most famous books of the 90s, a real classic.
I have a T shirt with Ričardas Gavelis! I also gave one to my MIL, she was very happy with it. [https://knygynas.biz/collections/literaturiniai-suvenyrai/products/drybsai-tokiu-metu-kai-daroma-istorija-vyriski](https://knygynas.biz/collections/literaturiniai-suvenyrai/products/drybsai-tokiu-metu-kai-daroma-istorija-vyriski) (It says “are you laying around while the history is being made?”)
He is buried beside many other well known and admired artists, and his grave is really impressive. It has an apple tree instead of a huge tombstone, and that tree is very pretty when it blooms in spring, and then changes color in autumn. [https://lt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaizdas:Gavelio-kapas.jpg](https://lt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaizdas:Gavelio-kapas.jpg)
I heard about it, but didn’t it read it myself
It’s fairly well known, but I have never met a single person who actually enjoyed reading it (and I tend to be around lots of book-ish people).
No way! I’ve been trying to buy a copy of the English translation of Vilnius Poker for ages. My partner is Lithuanian and I’ve been trying to read English translations of any Lithuanian books I come across and this has been in my reading list for a while. Surprisingly hard to find a copy in the UK and Lithuania when I’ve visited.
I do have a copy of Gavelis’ other book, Memoirs of a Life Cut Short which is on my list to read this year. Gavelis, I believe, is probably the most well known Lithuanian writer outside of Lithuania. Though I think The Forest of the Gods by Balys Sruoga is also another well regarded novel.
One of my absolute favourite books! I’ve bought multiple copies and given them away to friends to spread the love (or rather the oppresive gloom). It is such a visceral metaphor for the permeating corruption of a regime. And the way it messes with your head and leaves you completely scrambled when it switches narrators… Means it really needs to be read at least twice. It’s an absolute masterpiece in Lithuanian but also still very very good in English, the translator did a wonderful job.
I mean, it even has a web site:
https://www.vilniauspokeris.lt/
Yes, it is known and highly regarded, especially among the intelligentsia.
Another really great novel of Gavelis with a perfect capture of the late soviet years Zeitgeist and of what the Soviet system exactly does to a person is “Memoirs of a Life Cut Short”, translated by Jayde Will.