Russian literature arrived late on the European scene. Within several generations, its great novelists had shocked - and then conquered - the world. In this introduction to the rich and vibrant Russian tradition, Caryl Emerson weaves a narrative of recurring themes and fascinations across several centuries. Beginning with traditional Russian narratives (saints' lives, folk tales, epic and rogue narratives), the book moves through literary history chronologically and thematically, juxtaposing literary texts from each major period. Detailed attention is given to canonical writers including Pushkin, Gogol, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov, Bulgakov and Solzhenitsyn, as well as to some current bestsellers from the post-Communist period. Fully accessible to students and readers with no knowledge of Russian, the volume includes a glossary and pronunciation guide of key Russian terms as well as a list of useful secondary works. The book will be of great interest to students of Russian as well as of comparative literature.

An engaging overview of the Russian literary tradition, with a glossary and guide to further reading.

About the Author
Caryl Emerson is A. Watson Armour III Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures at Princeton University.

Reviews
'Apart from the advanced beginner, there are many other categories of reader who will derive profit and enjoyment from this book. ... you will embark on a literary tour ... that challenges preconceived notions and liberates the imagination.' Modern Language Review



Book Information
ISBN 9780521844697
Author Caryl Emerson
Format Hardback
Page Count 308
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 620g
Dimensions(mm) 234mm * 156mm * 23mm