Kategoria BISAC: Literary Criticism >> Russian & Former Soviet Union

Ivanov, a driving force in local government and a visionary landowner, feels burnt out at thirty-five. Once the pioneer of scientific farming methods and of education for peasants, he now drowns in bureaucracy and debt, his large estate neglected. While his wife is dying, Sacha, a young, educated woman, falls in love with Ivanov and determines to save him.

In considering Dostoevsky's 'The Idiot', a novel less easily defined in terms of plot and ideas than his other major fictional works, Sarah Young addresses problems in the novel unresolved by previous interpretations, and in doing so fills a significant gap in Dostoevsky studies. 'Dostoevsky's The Idiot and the Ethical Foundations of Narrative' provides an innovative theoretical framework for an analysis that integrates structural and narratological considerations with thematic (religious and ethical) aspects, by focusing on the characters' interactivity as the most fundamental level on...

In considering Dostoevsky's 'The Idiot', a novel less easily defined in terms of plot and ideas than his other major fictional works, Sarah Young addresses problems in the novel unresolved by previous interpretations, and in doing so fills a significant gap in Dostoevsky studies. 'Dostoevsky's The Idiot and the Ethical Foundations of Narrative' provides an innovative theoretical framework for an analysis that integrates structural and narratological considerations with thematic (religious and ethical) aspects, by focusing on the characters' interactivity as the most fundamental level on...

This exciting addition to Dostoevsky studies deals with the religious dimension of the novelist's life and fiction. Malcolm Jones takes a fresh reading of Dostoevsky's representation of religion in his fictional world, that allows for both mystery and fear. The author argues that the spiritual map of human experience that Dostoevsky offers includes only the occasional small island of serenity in vast, turbulent oceans of doubt, rebellion, rejection, indifference and disbelief. Dostoevsky is also viewed as an artist, revealing glimpses of salvation through subversive narrative techniques...

This exciting addition to Dostoevsky studies deals with the religious dimension of the novelist's life and fiction. Malcolm Jones takes a fresh reading of Dostoevsky's representation of religion in his fictional world, that allows for both mystery and fear. The author argues that the spiritual map of human experience that Dostoevsky offers includes only the occasional small island of serenity in vast, turbulent oceans of doubt, rebellion, rejection, indifference and disbelief. Dostoevsky is also viewed as an artist, revealing glimpses of salvation through subversive narrative techniques...

"The Salamander and Other Gothic Tales" contains eight stories which represent the best of Russian Romantic fiction from the first half of the 19th century. These include "The Salamander," "The Cosmorama," and "The Sylph," Odoevsky's three main metaphysical tales. The collection as a whole represents some of the best of the Russian Romantic fiction from the first half of the nineteenth century. This is the first English edition of Odoevsky's work to be published since 1965 and six of the tales are here translated for the first time.The selection, which coincides with the recent revival of...

Kazakov wrote lyrical and impressionistic prose in the tradition of Turgenev and Chekhov. His stories, although written in a minor key, contain fine descriptive passages and vivid imagery. A fine artst, whose works are carefully crafted and economically structured, Kazakov was a leading exponent of the short story in Russia during the 'Thaw'. Like many writers of his period, he is now ripe for reassessment.

This book contains the Russian text of Turgenev's Mumu, edited with an English language introduction, notes and extensive vocabulary.

This is a critical introduction to Dostoyevsky's work Professor of Peace concentrates on the four major novels, Crime and Punishment, The Idiot, The Devils and The Brothers Karamazov. He analyses them in detail, paying particular attention to theme, interprets complexities of structure and characterisation, and defines Dostoyevsky's literary achievement. His arguments are reinforced by extensive quotation in English.

This book contains the Russian text of Karamzin's Poor Liza, edited with an English language introduction and notes

This book contains the Russian text of Nekrasov's Kira Georgievna, edited with an English language introduction and notes

Turgenev's povest' (or novella) Asya, of 1858, has a Rhineland setting. Asya, the illegitimate daughter of a Russian landowner, is travelling abroad with her half-brother. The narrator falls in love with her, but cannot bring himself to propose marriage until it is too late. Asya has gone. The narrative stance here struck by Turgenev - one of remorseful recollection - renders Asya one of his most poignant tales. It immediately occasioned a lively debate among contemporary Russian critics: over 'weak' as against 'positive' heroes, and the position of the intellectual vis a vis...

The poetry of Alexandr Blok (1880-1921) marks the highest achievement of that fertile period in Russian literary history chiefly identified with the Symbolist movement. The aim of this book is to convey some idea of Blok's scope and development as a poet in a selection of fifty poems and it provides an editorial apparatus to facilitate understanding and appreciation.

The visionary, mystical element is present in most of Blok's poetry, but this does not preclude a considerable evolution - from highly personal lyrics of the early cycles through the 'transitional phase' of volume II,...

Turgenev's novel about conflicting ideas, social classes and generations questions human nature and man's place in the universe. This is one in a series offering a critical analysis of Russian texts and surveying the different interpretations that have been suggested

Natal'ya Baranskaya achieved instant fame with the controversial publication in 1969 of A Week Like Any Other.
The story, remarkable for its lack of tendentiousness, presents a
uniquely honest picture of the stressful and unequal lot of soviet
women, in the form of a diary of a typical week in the life of Olga
Voronkova, a young Moscow scientist and mother.

From the author of MASTER AND MARGARITA, BLACK SNOW and DIABOLIAD, a novel which features a Moscow professor who befriends a stray dog and transplants into it the testicles and pituitary gland of a dead man, unleashing a human dog which turns the professor's life into a nightmare beyond endurance.