A Tale of Russian Folklore - The Bear and the Nightingale

We open up season 3 with The Bear and the Nightingale, a story inspired by Slavic and Russian Folklore. Tune in to learn a bit about this story and the mythology it is based on.

Russian Folklore Resources

• Russian Folklore: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folklore_of_Russia
• A Brief History of Russian Folklore: https://www.pushkinhouse.org/blog/2020/5/13/a-brief-history-of-russian-folklore
• Routledge Companion to Russian Literature: https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Routledge_Companion_to_Russian_Liter/k2BO7K6tYIoC?hl=en&gbpv=0
• Father Frost tale: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_Frost_(fairy_tale)
• Vasilisa the Beautiful: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasilisa_the_Beautiful
• Other fun source for Russian mythology: https://meettheslavs.com/russian-mythology/

Paige Presents Fun with Comics: Lore Olympus, Webtoon

The Bear and The Nightingale

• Learn more about Katherine Arden: http://katherinearden.com/
• Buy a copy for yourself: https://bookshop.org/a/9616/9781101885956

Creative’s Corner: Tale Foundry

• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCusb0SpT8elBJdbcEJS_l2A
• Website: https://thetalefoundry.com/about/

Discussion

• What are some similarities and differences you can see between Russian/Slavic folklore and Western folklore or fairy tales?
• Vasya’s socially acceptable choices are get married or go to a convent. She chooses neither and runs off on her own. If you lived in this society or time period, what do you think you would have done?
• What are some modern folk tales that you are familiar with? Would you want to read a book inspired by them?
• Ivan Bilibin was the artist Jennifer was talking about during the discussion, you can learn more about him here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Bilibin
  • Or see a portfolio of his work here: https://www.wikiart.org/en/ivan-bilibin

Support the pod

• Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/big_book_energy
• Find us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/big_book_energy
• Don’t forget to leave us a review if you are enjoying the pod: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/big-book-energy/id1494813078
• If you are interested in being on the show, check out the Book Elder tier on our Patreon

*Some of the links above are affiliate links and we will receive commission from any purchases made through them*