In which we review two books: one full of poetry, another full of Putin.

In honor of Chekhov's birthday, we present his story, "The Fiasco," translated by Bob Blaisdell. And a video version...

Today, January 29, is Anton Pavlovich Chekhov's 162nd birthday. Let's celebrate!

An excerpt from the new book, The Gambler Wife, a glimpse into the life and motivations of Dostoyevsky's very successful wife.

Revies of a book on one of the true-crime sources for Crime and Punishment, and a collection of Teffi's stories.

Florence, Italy, is joining in on the Dostoyevsky anniversary fun.

King's Cross station has nothing on the city of St. Petersburg, which is now complete with its own Platform 9 3/4, too. 

In which we learn about the strong-willed and brilliant Anna Dostoyevskaya, the wife of Fyodor Dostoyevsky.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky's novels may be so psychologically complex for a reason you might not expect.

You no longer need to travel to platform nine and three-quarters to get to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; Russia now has her very own Hogwarts Express. 

In this week's Odder News, starling flocks are stunning, Dostoyevsky was a weird guy, and Team Russia bought Team Croatia a ticket to the next World Cup.

Dostoyevsky spent ten years of his life exiled to Russia's Eastern hinterlands. Beyond the Urals, there are several places that shaped Dostoyevsky and influenced many of his greatest works of literature.