And she reads Chekhov in the bathtub thinking that 19th century Russia must have been visually interesting, but literarily dull, writing overstuffed with description and repetition. It's pungent perfume pleasant at first, but soon overbearing. She never made it through Anna K. either, and only conquered Ilyich for academics sake. Swimming in the long winded, emotional descriptions, all she could think, was of what Northern ancestor decided all Russians should go by three names and what cunning linguist adored 'V' and 'Y' to such extent that he proclaimed they should be used as much as humanly possible. A popularized,Β Β sadistic joke for a younger brother with a speech impediment.
No offense to the Russian language, or anyone who is a Tolstoy or Chekhov fan, I just find it a little heavy for my taste. :)