Worlds Apart: An Anthology of Russian Fantasy and Science Fiction: An Anthology of Russian Science Fiction and Fantasy

A constant thread woven throughout the history of Russian literature is that of fantasy and an escape from the bounds of realism. Worlds Apart is the first single-volume anthology that explores this fascinating and dominant theme of Russian literature--from its origins in the provincial folk tale, through its emergence in the Romantic period in the tales of Pushkin, Lermontov, and Turgenev, to its contemporary incarnation under the clouds of authoritarianism, revolution, mechanization, and modernization--with all-new translations of the key literary masterpieces that reveal the depth and ingenuity of the Russian imagination as it evolved over a period of tumultuous political, social, and technological upheaval. Alexander Levitsky, perhaps the world's foremost expert on this genre, has selected and provided engaging and informative introductions to the selections that simultaneously represent the works of Russia's best authors and reveal the dominant themes of her history. The authors range from familiar figures--Pushkin, Lermontov, Turgenev, Gogol, Dostoevsky, Bulgakov, and Bely--to writers practically unknown outside the Slavic world such as Derzhavin, Bulgarin, Kuprin and Pilniak. Worlds Apart is an awe-provoking anthology with a compelling appeal both to the fantasy enthusiast and anyone with an abiding interest in Russian history and culture.

a Constant Thread Woven Throughout The History Of Russian Literature Is That Of An Escape From The Bounds Of Realism. Worlds Apart Is The First Single-volume Anthology That Explores This Fascinating And Dominant Theme Of Russian Literature-from Its Origins In The Provincial Folk Tale, Through Its Emergence In The Romantic Period In The Tales Of Pushkin, Lermontov, And Turgenev, To Its Contemporary Incarnation Under The Clouds Of Authoritarianism, Revolution, Mechanization, And Modernization-with Translations Of The Key Literary Masterpieces That Reveal The Depth And Ingenuity Of The Russian Imagination As It Evolved Over A Period Of Tumultuous Political, Social, And Technological Upheaval.

alexander Levitsky, Perhaps The World's Foremost Expert On This Genre, Has Provided Engaging And Informative Introductions To The Selections That Simultaneously Represent The Works Of Russia's Best Authors And Reveal The Dominant Themes Of Her History: Myth And The Fairy Tale, Utopianism And Dystopianism, Mechanization And Modernization, Space Flight, And More. The Authors Range From Familiar Figures-gogol, Dostoevsky, Bulgakov, And Bely-to Writers Practically Unknown Outside The Slavic World Such As Derzhavin, Bulgarin, Kuprin And Pilniak.

worlds Apart Is An Awe-provoking Anthology With A Compelling Appeal Both To The Fantasy Enthusiast And Anyone With An Abiding Interest In Russian History And Culture.

roger A. Berger - Library Journal

quite Possibly Inspired By A College Class (the Editor Is A Professor Of Slavic Languages And Literature At Brown University), This Anthology Of 19th- And Early 20th-century Russian Fantasy And Science Fiction (poetry And Prose) Is Both Fascinating And Problematic. On One Hand, It Offers An Astonishing Number Of Clearly Translated, Compelling Texts, Some Of Which Are Available In English For The First Time. Along With Stories, Poems, And Novel Excerpts From Familiar Names Like Pushkin, Lermontov, Turgenev, Gogol, Chernyshevsky, Dostoevsky, Blok, Bely, Zamiatin, And Bulgakov (whose The Fatal Eggs Is A Timely Delight), As Well As An Introduction To Early 19th-century Russian Fantasy And Poetry, This Collection Presents Amazing Work By Lesser-known Authors Like Odoevsky, Briusov, And Kuprin (whose Liquid Sunshine Is Particularly Memorable), Among Others. Indeed, The Early 20th Century And Early Soviet Space Exploration Texts By Bugdanov, Tolstoy, Platonov, And Efremov Are A Revelation. On The Other Hand, The Anthology, Taken As A Whole, Imagines An Unlikely Discursive Continuum From Fantasy Tales (especially Those Involving Ghosts, Witches, Or Monsters) To Utopian And Dystopian Narratives, Technological Fantasies, And Space-travel Sagas. And It Limits Its Presentation Of Later 20th-century Soviet And Post-soviet Science Fiction To A Short, Concluding Essay. In Short, It's A Wonderful Mess: It Works, More Or Less, But Much Like, Say, A Soviet-made Car. Recommended To Public And Academic Libraries Where Interest Warrants.-roger A. Berger, Everett Community Coll., Wa

Features Examples From A Wide Range Of Sources And Periods, And Includes Pieces By Such Top Names As Pushkin And Dostoevsky, Illuminating How The Genre Evolved During Times Of Political, Social, And Technological Upheaval. From The Ode God ; The Magic Lantern ; Zlogor / Gavrila Romanovich Derzhavin -- Autumn ; The Bronze Horseman ; The Queen Of Spades / Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin -- Demon ; The Dream ; Shtoss / Mikhail Iurievich Lermontov -- The Phantoms (abridged) ; Two Poems In Prose From Senilia / Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev -- Vyi (abridged) ; Nevsky Prospekt ; The Diary Of A Madman ; The Nose / Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol -- From The Plausible Fantasies / Faddei Venediktovich Bulgarin -- From The Year 4338. Letters From St. Petersburg / Vladimir Fyodorovich Odoevsky -- From What Is To Be Done: Vera Pavlovna's Fourth Dream / Nikolai Gavrilovich Chernyshevsky -- Bobok ; The Little Boy At The Savior's Christmas Tree / The Dream Of A Ridiculous Man / Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky -- The Stranger ; From The Twelve / Alexander Alexandrovich Blok -- Dust Demons ; The Republic Of The Southern Cross / Valery Iakovlevich Briusov -- The Asteroid ; A Little Man / Fyodor Kuzmich Sologub -- Demon ; From St. Petersburg / Andrei Bely -- A Toast ; Liquid Sunshine / Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin -- The Bear Cub ; The Blaze ; From The Novels Russia In A Whirlwind And In A Rosy Light / Alexei Mikhailovich Remizov -- The Dragon ; The Cave ; From We / Evgeny Ivanovich Zamiatin -- A Year In Their Life ; From The Naked Year / Boris Andreevich Pilniak -- Signs Of Zodiac ; Human Of The Snows / Nikolai Alekseevich Zabolotsky -- The Young Man Who Surprized The Watchman ; The Dream / Daniel Kharms -- Love ; On The Fantasy Of H.g. Wells / Yuri Karlovich Yuri Olesha -- The Fatal Eggs ; From Master And Margarita / Mikhail Afanasievich Bulgakov -- From The Red Star / Alexander Alexandrovich Bogdanov -- From Aelita / Alexei Nikolaevich Tolstoy -- From The Sun, The Moon, And The Ether Channel / Andrei Platonovich Platonov -- From The Andromeda Nebula / Ivan Antonovich Efremov. Edited And With Commentary By Alexander Levitsky ; Translated By Alexander Levitsky And Martha T. Kitchen. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [651]-655). “Discover some curiosities and some genuinely fascinating, powerfully resonant works” in this Book Riot 50 Must-Reads of Slavic Literature selection (Kirkus Reviews). A constant thread woven throughout the history of Russian literature is that of fantasy and an escape from the bounds of realism. Worlds Apart is the first single-volume anthology that explores this fascinating and dominant theme of Russian literature—from its origins in the provincial folk tale, through its emergence in the Romantic period in the tales of Pushkin, Lermontov, and Turgenev, to its contemporary incarnation under the clouds of authoritarianism, revolution, mechanization, and modernization—with all-new translations of the key literary masterpieces that reveal the depth and ingenuity of the Russian imagination as it evolved over a period of tumultuous political, social, and technological upheaval. Alexander Levitsky, perhaps the world's foremost expert on this genre, has selected and provided engaging and informative introductions to the selections that simultaneously represent the works of Russia's best authors and reveal the dominant themes of her history. The authors range from familiar figures—Pushkin, Lermontov, Turgenev, Gogol, Dostoevsky, Bulgakov, and Bely—to writers practically unknown outside the Slavic world such as Derzhavin, Bulgarin, Kuprin, and Pilniak. Worlds Apart is an awe-provoking anthology with a compelling appeal both to the fantasy enthusiast and anyone with an abiding interest in Russian history and culture. A constant thread woven throughout the history of Russian literature is that of an escape from the bounds of realism. Worlds Apart is the first single-volume anthology that explores this fascinating and dominant theme of Russian literature-from its origins in the provincial folk tale, through its emergence in the Romantic period in the tales of Pushkin, Lermontov, and Turgenev, to its contemporary incarnation under the clouds of authoritarianism, revolution, mechanization, and modernization-with translations of the key literary masterpieces that reveal the depth and ingenuity of the Russian imagination as it evolved over a period of tumultuous political, social, and technological upheaval. Alexander Levitsky, perhaps the world's foremost expert on this genre, has provided engaging and informative introductions to the selections that simultaneously represent the works of Russia's best authors and reveal the dominant themes of her history: Myth and the Fairy Tale, Utopianism and Dystopianism, Mechanization and Modernization, Space Flight, and more. The authors range from familiar figures-Gogol, Dostoevsky, Bulgakov, and Bely-to writers practically unknown outside the Slavic world such as Derzhavin, Bulgarin, Kuprin and Pilniak. Worlds Apart is an awe-provoking anthology with a compelling appeal both to the fantasy enthusiast and anyone with an abiding interest in Russian history and culture. Featuring examples from a wide range of folk sources and periods, a collection of Russian science fiction and fantasy tales includes pieces by such top names as Pushkin, Turgenev, and Dostoevsky and offers insight into how the genre evolved throughout times of political, social, and technological upheaval. Reprint.