Between Religion and Rationality : Essays in Russian Literature and Culture

In this book, acclaimed Dostoevsky biographer Joseph Frank explores some of the most important aspects of nineteenth and twentieth century Russian culture, literature, and history. Delving into the distinctions of the Russian novel as well as the conflicts between the religious peasant world and the educated Russian elite, __Between Religion and Rationality__ displays the cogent reflections of one of the most distinguished and versatile critics in the field. Frank's essays provide a discriminating look at four of Dostoevsky's most famous novels, discuss the debate between J. M. Coetzee and Mario Vargas Llosa on the issue of Dostoevsky and evil, and confront Dostoevsky's anti-Semitism. The collection also examines such topics as Orlando Figes's sweeping survey of the history of Russian culture, the life of Pushkin, and __Oblomov's__ influence on Samuel Beckett. Investigating the omnipresent religious theme that runs throughout Russian culture, even in the antireligious Chekhov, Frank argues that no other major European literature was as much preoccupied as the Russian with the tensions between religion and rationality. __Between Religion and Rationality__ highlights this unique quality of Russian literature and culture, offering insights for general readers and experts alike. Essays from the award-winning Dostoevsky biographer In this book, acclaimed Dostoevsky biographer Joseph Frank explores some of the most important aspects of nineteenth and twentieth century Russian culture, literature, and history. Delving into the distinctions of the Russian novel as well as the conflicts between the religious peasant world and the educated Russian elite, Between Religion and Rationality displays the cogent reflections of one of the most distinguished and versatile critics in the field. Frank's essays provide a discriminating look at four of Dostoevsky's most famous novels, discuss the debate between J. M. Coetzee and Mario Vargas Llosa on the issue of Dostoevsky and evil, and confront Dostoevsky's anti-Semitism. The collection also examines such topics as Orlando Figes's sweeping survey of the history of Russian culture, the life of Pushkin, and Oblomov's influence on Samuel Beckett. Investigating the omnipresent religious theme that runs throughout Russian culture, even in the antireligious Chekhov, Frank argues that no other major European literature was as much preoccupied as the Russian with the tensions between religion and rationality. Between Religion and Rationality highlights this unique quality of Russian literature and culture, offering insights for general readers and experts alike.

In this book, acclaimed Dostoevsky biographer Joseph Frank explores some of the most important aspects of nineteenth and twentieth century Russian culture, literature, and history. Delving into the distinctions of the Russian novel as well as the conflicts between the religious peasant world and the educated Russian elite, Between Religion and Rationality displays the cogent reflections of one of the most distinguished and versatile critics in the field.

Frank's essays provide a discriminating look at four of Dostoevsky's most famous novels, discuss the debate between J. M. Coetzee and Mario Vargas Llosa on the issue of Dostoevsky and evil, and confront Dostoevsky's anti-Semitism. The collection also examines such topics as Orlando Figes's sweeping survey of the history of Russian culture, the life of Pushkin, and Oblomov's influence on Samuel Beckett. Investigating the omnipresent religious theme that runs throughout Russian culture, even in the antireligious Chekhov, Frank argues that no other major European literature was as much preoccupied as the Russian with the tensions between religion and rationality. Between Religion and Rationality highlights this unique quality of Russian literature and culture, offering insights for general readers and experts alike.

CONTENTS Introduction Part I. Classics One Poor Folk and House of the Dead Two. The Idiot Three. Demons Four. War and Peace Part II. The Russian Tradition Five. Natasha’S Dance: A Cultural History of Russia Six. A Life of Pushkin Seven. Oblomov and Goncharov Eight. Lydia Ginzburg, on Psychological Prose Nine. Richard Pipes, Russian Conservatism and its Critics Part III. The Dostoevskian Orbit Ten. Dostoevsky And Anti-Semitism Eleven. In Search of Dostoevsky Twelve. Arkady Kovner Thirteen. J. M. Coetzee, The Master of Petersburg Fourteen. Dostoevsky and Evil Part IV. Twentieth-Century Issues Fifteen. Anton Chekhov Sixteen. The Triumph of Abram Tertz Seventeen. D. S. Mirsky Eighteen. Vladimir Nabokov: Lectures on Literature Index Poor Folk And House Of The Dead -- The Idiot -- Demons -- War And Peace -- The Russian Tradition -- Natasha's Dance: A Cultural History Of Russia -- A Life Of Pushkin -- Oblomov And Goncharov -- Lydia Ginzburg, On Psychological Prose -- Richard Pipes, Russian Conservatism And Its Critics -- The Dostoevskian Orbit -- Dostoevsky And Anti-semitism -- In Search Of Dostoevsky -- Arkady Kovner -- J.m. Coetzee, The Master Of Petersburg -- Dostoevsky And Evil -- Twentieth-century Issues -- Anton Chekhov -- The Triumph Of Abram Tertz -- D.s. Mirsky -- Vladimir Nabokov: Lectures On Literature. Joseph Frank. Includes Index. Poor folk and house of the dead The idiot Demons War and peace The Russian tradition Natasha's dance: a cultural history of Russia A life of pushkin Oblomov and Goncharov Lydia Ginzburg, on psychological prose Richard Pipes, Russian conservatism and its critics The Dostoevskian orbit Dostoevsky and anti-semitism In search of Dostoevsky Arkady Kovner J.M. Coetzee, the master of Petersburg Dostoevsky and evil Twentieth-century issues Anton Chekhov The triumph of Abram Tertz D.S. Mirsky Vladimir Nabokov on English novelists.