"Quiet Flows the Dawn" by Mikhail Sholokhov


Details
*Date is tentative
Country: Russia
Written in: 1925-1940
Pages: 600-1000+ depending on the version
Also known as, And Quiet Flows the Don, Quietly Flows the Don, and The Don Flows Quietly to the Sea. Since we've read some of the big hitters of Russian literature from Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy, we're visiting another Nobel Prize winning Russian author we haven't explored yet. Note this is a LONG book, but as this is posted in January 2025 you have plenty of fair warning to read it! Note that Sholokhov wrote and published this in four volumes; we are covering all four parts.
If you want to rabbit-hole into the Cossacks and the Don River
Here's a summary from Amazon:
WINNER OF NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATURE, 1965
WINNER OF THE STALIN PRIZE, 1941
Mikhail Sholokhov's groundbreaking epic novel gives a sweeping depiction of Russian life and culture in the early 20th century. In the same vein as War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy, And Quiet Flows the Dongives readers a glimpse into many aspects of Russian culture, and the choices a country makes when faced with war and destruction.
In his enormous epic of Cossack life during the Revolution...Mikhail Sholokhov has achieved even greater power, sustained narrative gift and stirring human truthfulness."--New York Times
"In addition to its panoramic grandeur, the wealth of its characters and its historic realism, Sholokhov's book is memorable for its portrayal of the primitive and already almost legendary life of the Don Cossacks."--Malcolm Cowley, New Republic
*****
New to the Hungry Hundred Book Club? Here's what you need to know:
- Read the book (If you don't manage to finish it by the meetup date, don't worry. As long as you're not going to be too disappointed by spoilers, you're still welcome to join.)
- Come to the meeting, usually (but not always!) on the last Sunday of every month.
- Be prepared to order food/drink at the venue to show our appreciation for letting us use their space. This is a requirement. A lot of time and effort has been put into finding a place that will accommodate our group without an outrageous minimum charge or rental fee, and you'll never be asked to contribute to organiser fees, so please show your respect and support for the restaurant that's letting us use their space.
- Discuss! It's a casual conversation, so don't be afraid to ask questions and let us know what you think.

"Quiet Flows the Dawn" by Mikhail Sholokhov