Gorky — on Books

What it is

Gorky is a Russian-language media project about books and reading, and its Telegram channel is a handy window into what's being published and why it matters. It's written in Russian. Posts go further than a typical "new release" blurb: they tell you what the book is about and why it's worth your time. Recent examples include Robert Darnton's book on publishers and pirates in the age of Enlightenment, Florian Illies's new chronicle of the summer of 1933 and the Mann family, Dania Zhansi's novel "DRUZHBA" about losing a language, a culture and the Aral Sea, and a preface to a new edition of the Völsunga saga.

Why we picked it

Most book channels either sell or just post covers. Gorky reads like a good literary editor: it describes non-fiction and fiction clearly enough that you can decide whether a book is for you. It also runs surprising pieces at the crossroads of history and culture, such as what medieval Europeans thought about pet dogs and tame monkeys, how different eras reacted to body odour, or how to read a world map following Gogol's advice. There are anniversary posts on Fitzgerald, William Golding and the poet Semyon Kirsanov, plus book-world news like Moscow Book Week.

Where to start

• Find the post on Darnton's book about publishers and pirates: a good sample of their reviews.
• Read the note on medieval pets; it's short and funny.
• Check the roundup posts that bundle several new titles in one go.
• Poetry fans should look for the post about Semyon Kirsanov.

Who it's for

Russian-speaking readers hunting for their next book, especially fans of non-fiction: history, anthropology and the history of ideas. It also works for people who read less but want to know what the book world is talking about.

Quick answers

Is it only about new releases? No, there are also excerpts, author anniversaries and cultural history pieces.

What language is it in? Russian.

Is it a shop? No, it's a books media outlet; posts describe books rather than sell them.