The Steel Flea is a piece of Russian comedy for a change. I am more familiar with Russian tragedy, but since this in essence is still a satire or social commentary it is not unlike the other Russian authors that I read.
It is a short tale of Russian worker who aims to outdo the British and their best invention – a miniature Steel Flea. Clearly a parable for the late 19th century, I found this edition quite nice but not much more than that.
The Steel Flea (Little Black Classics #40) – Nikolay Leskov
Url Phantomhive 
In any of these LBC’s, is it talked about WHY they chose what books they did for the series?
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No, unfortunately not. There is no context whatsoever. All information is the one that is provided on the blurb but that is just 2 sentences maximum.
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Bummer. I think the process of how these were chosen would be a great book to end the series.
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Yes, I think it would have added a lot. I am now reading some Penguin Classics with introduction and context and that is so much better!
Here is an example of what is given on a blurb for The Steel Flea:
“The Steel Flea is an uproarious and alcohol-soaked shaggy-dog story from one of Russia’s great comic masters.”
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Ouch….
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