Post-Soviet Literature and the Search for a Russian Identity: 2016 (Studies in European Culture and History)

This book examines a wide range of contemporary Russian writers whose work, after the demise of Communism, became more authoritative in debates on Russia’s character, destiny, and place in the world. Unique in his in-depth analysis of both playful postmodernist authors and fanatical nationalist writers, Noordenbos pays attention to not only the acute social and political implications of contemporary Russian literature but also literary form by documenting the decline of postmodern styles, analyzing shifting metaphors for a “Russian identity crisis,” and tracing the emergence of new forms of authorial ethos. To achieve this end, the book builds on theories of postcoloniality, trauma, and conspiracy thinking, and makes these research fields productively available for post-Soviet studies. This Book Examines A Wide Range Of Contemporary Russian Writers Whose Work, After The Demise Of Communism, Increasingly Became More Authoritative In Debates On Russia's Character, Destiny, And Place In The World. Unique In His In-depth Analysis Of Both Playful Postmodernist Authors And Fanatical Nationalist Writers, Noorbendos Pays Attention To Not Only The Acute Social And Political Implications Of Contemporary Russian Literature But Also Literary Form By Documenting The Decline Of Postmodern Styles, Analyzing Shifting Metaphors For A Russian Identity Crisis, And Tracing The Emergence Of New Forms Of Authorial Ethos. To Achieve This End, The Book Connects The Fields Of Postcoloniality, Trauma, And Conspiracy Thinking With Post-soviet Studies, An Endeavor That Has Been Grossly Overlooked Until Now. -- Introduction -- The Black Holes Of History: Narratives Of Cultural Trauma -- Post-totalitarian Identity And The Struggle With Literaturocentrism -- Empire Of Empty Signs: Unsettling Imitations Of The West -- Imperial Stiob: The Aesthetics Of Chauvinism -- The Return Of The Dead: Haunting Traumas And Nostalgic Dreams -- Interpreting Gorbachev's Birthmark: Conspiratorial Visions Of Russian Identity -- Conclusion -- Works Cited. Boris Noordenbos. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 211-224) And Index. This book examines a wide range of contemporary Russian writers whose work, after the demise of Communism, increasingly became more authoritative in debates on Russia's character, destiny, and place in the world. Unique in his in-depth analysis of both playful postmodernist authors and fanatical nationalist writers, Noorbendos pays attention to not only the acute social and political implications of contemporary Russian literature but also literary form by documenting the decline of postmodern styles, analyzing shifting metaphors for a "Russian identity crisis," and tracing the emergence of new forms of authorial ethos. To achieve this end, the book connects the fields of postcoloniality, trauma, and conspiracy thinking with post-Soviet studies, an endeavor that has been grossly overlooked until now. -- From publisher's website Front Matter....Pages i-x Introduction....Pages 1-25 Front Matter....Pages 27-27 The Black Holes of History: Narratives of Cultural Trauma....Pages 29-58 Post-totalitarian Identity and the Struggle with Literaturocentrism....Pages 59-84 Empire of Empty Signs: Russia’s Unsettling Imitations of “The West”....Pages 85-107 Front Matter....Pages 109-109 Imperial Stiob: The Aesthetics of Chauvinism....Pages 111-143 The Return of the Dead: Haunting Traumas and Nostalgic Dreams....Pages 145-172 Interpreting Gorbachev’s Birthmark: Conspiratorial Visions of Russian Identity....Pages 173-199 Conclusion....Pages 201-210 Back Matter....Pages 211-232