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Comment by georgecmu | Hacker News Reader

For whatever reason, Tolkien had a huge following in Russia. At least one fantasy writer [1] made a career writing LOTR sequels. Eskov himself is actively blogging on Livejournal [2].

  [1] http://www.perumov.com/books/
  [2] http://afranius.livejournal.com/132382.html

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One of the most important factors in popularity of a foreign work in Russia is a good translation which does not try to be too literal. Muraviev and Kistyakovsky did a great job with LOTR.

Another reason is that this translation was published in late 80s, when the Russian public was particularly receptive to anything spiritual and/or capable of carrying them away from the grim reality of a collapsing country.

Perumov also was one of the first who tried to depict orcs in a more human way, and elves were mostly arrogant high-class snobs.

really like during perestroika when the "free Western nations" suddenly learned that Russians love their children too

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