Such a Feeling

Svetlana Pavlova — a writer, author of the novels «Hunger» and «Screenwriter», finalist of the «Yasnaya Polyana» award and laureate of the «Lyceum» award, resident of the Creative House in Peredelkino. She is included in the Forbes «30 Under 30» list in the «Art» category (2025) and the The Blueprint100 list (2024). «Such a Feeling» is familiar to everyone: the desire to love and be loved. This collection, composed of different yet interconnected stories, explores love as an irrational, all-consuming, and often painful force. Bohemian snobs Katyusha and Lev either mock or envy couples who buy apartments on mortgage and live an «ordinary life». Electrician Vera escapes to a shift in hopes of healing her broken heart. A journalist from a progressive publication wonders if it is shameful to want to get married. A young writer makes a «spread on a boy», experiencing infatuation, the future of which is unclear. A listener of English courses, Alina, tired of her boring husband, absurdly tries to seduce a young classmate. Svetlana Pavlova reflects on how we fear looking «foolish» in front of our friends, how we strive to be «correct», and how we ultimately find ourselves defenseless against the simplest human desire — to be truly with someone. «But this, apparently, is one of the meanings of love: to bring us to a new limit». (From the story «My Love».)