A History of Russian Symbolism

by Avril Pyman

Overview

This book is the first detailed history of the Russian Symbolist movement, which served as the seedbed of Existentialism and Modernism in Russia. It reassesses the symbolists' achievements in the light of modern research, focusing on their literary works. Prose is quoted in English translation and poetry is given in the original Russian with prose translations. There is a valuable bibliography of primary sources and an extensive chronological appendix. This book will fill a long-felt gap for students and teachers of Russian and comparative literature, symbolism, modernism, and pre-revolutionary Russian culture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521024303
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	03/09/2006
Edition description:	Reissue
Pages:	504
Product dimensions:	6.02(w) x 9.02(h) x 1.18(d)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements; Prologue: decadence or rebirth? The European fin de siècle and the Russian precursors; Part I. The art of the cell: 1. Transitional writers; 2. The new poetry in St Petersburg; 3. Russian Symbolism acquires a name; Part II. Collective Creation: 4. The foundation of Mir Iskusstva and the role of the visual and performing arts; 5. From Mir Iskusstva to Novyi Put; 6. Russian Symbolism comes of age; Part III. Gleams Of Paradise: 7. The turn of the century; 8. The Sophia-myth and the theme of apocalypse; Part IV. A Glittering Hell: 9. The Russo-Japanese War and the 1905 revolution; 10. The antithesis; Part V. Our Home From The Beginning: 11. 'From the real to the more real'; 12. Russian Symbolism and Russian literature; Epilogue; Notes; Chronology; Notes; Bibliography, Index.

Editorial Reviews

"Dr. Pyman's book is a superb achievement, which will fundamentally revise our understanding of the origins and nature of Russian Symbolism and the role within it of the major figures." Canadian Slavic Papers

"Designed primarily for the student of Russian literature, this book will also be of value to specialists, who can benefit from its clarity and wealth of information. In terms of both breadth and depth, it is unlikely to be surpassed for some time." Slavic Review

"This valuable and rewarding study is recommended to graduate students and faculty." v. D. Barooshian, Choice

"A tour de force of meticulous sholarship, Pyman's book will be indispenable to students of Russian literature and of the fin de siècle." John Wilson, McGill's Literary Annual

"...rich in detail....offers a wealth of anecdotal information and carefully follows the endlessly complex personal realtionships among these volatile and sometimes bizarre artists." Evelyn Bristol, Slavic and East European Journal

From the Publisher