Synopses & Reviews
A comic classic of world literature, Aleko Konstantinov’s 1895 novel
Bai Ganyo follows the misadventures of rose-oil salesman Ganyo Balkanski (“Bai” is a Bulgarian title of intimate respect) as he travels in Europe. Unkempt but endearing, Bai Ganyo blusters his way through refined society in Vienna, Dresden, and St. Petersburg with an eye peeled for pickpockets and a free lunch. Konstantinov’s satire turns darker when Bai Ganyo returns home—bullying, bribing, and rigging elections in Bulgaria, a new country that had recently emerged piecemeal from the Ottoman Empire with the help of Czarist Russia.
Bai Ganyo has been translated into most European languages, but now Victor Friedman and his fellow translators have finally brought this Balkan masterpiece to English-speaking readers, accompanied by a helpful introduction, glossary, and notes. Winner, Bulgarian Studies Association Book Prize Finalist, Foreword Magazine’s Multicultural Fiction Book of the Year Winner, John D. Bell Book Prize, Bulgarian Studies Association Best Books for Special Interests, selected by the American Association for School Libraries Best Books for High Schools, selected by the American Association for School Libraries Best Books for Special Interests, selected by the Public Library Association
Review
“A literary treasure of the Balkans.”—Ronelle Alexander, University of California, Berkeley
Review
“A rollicking, Rabelaisian masterpiece, skillfully translated. Victor Friedman’s meticulous editing provides linguistic, cultural, and political context.”—Harold B. Segel, Columbia University
Synopsis
This audio CD is designed to supplement Ronelle Alexander’s Intensive Bulgarian, a two-volume textbook set that teaches students lively, modern colloquial Bulgarian, familiarizes them with Bulgarian cultural life, and thoroughly explains Bulgarian grammar. Intensive Bulgarian 2 Audio Supplement corresponds to Intensive Bulgarian 2 and Lessons 16–30, which illustrate more complex issues of grammar and syntax. The audio tracks, spoken by native Bulgarians, present the dialogues for all lessons as well as two literary selections. Each track is introduced by a brief selection of authentic Bulgarian folk music. Each of the four items—the two volumes of the book and the two CD sets—is sold separately.
About the Author
Aleko Konstantinov (1863–1897) was a well-traveled Bulgarian journalist and political writer. He was killed by an assassin’s bullet while riding in an open cab. In 2003, Konstantinov and
Bai Ganyo were honored on Bulgaria’s currency, depicted on the 100-lev note.
Victor A. Friedman is the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at the University of Chicago. Christina E. Kramer is professor of Slavic languages and literatures at the University of Toronto. Grace E. Fielder is professor of Russian and Slavic studies at the University of Arizona. Catherine Rudin is professor of modern languages and linguistics at Wayne State College.
Table of Contents
Preface
A Note on Transliteration
Introduction
Part One
Bai Ganyo Starts Out for Europe
1. Bai Ganyo Sets Off
2. Bai Ganyo at the Opera
3. Bai Ganyo at the Baths
4. Bai Ganyo in Dresden
5. Bai Ganyo at the Prague Exhibition
6. Bai Ganyo at Jirechek's
7. Bai Ganyo Goes Visiting
8. Bai Ganyo in Switzerland
9. Bai Ganyo in Russia
Part Two
10. Bai Ganyo Returns from Europe
11. Bai Ganyo Does Elections
12. Bai Ganyo the Journalist
13. Bai Ganyo at the Palace
14. Bai Ganyo in the Delegation
15. Bai Ganyo in the Opposition? Don't You Believe It!
16. The Temperance Society
17. Letter from Bai Ganyo to Konstantin Velichkov
18. From the Correspondence of Bai Ganyo Balkanski
Glossary