History of Russian Literature in the 20th Century

Author: Li Yuzhen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: This History of Russian Literature in the 20th Century is a revised and expanded version of the History of Russian and Soviet Literature, edited by Mr. Cao Jinghua, incorporating new materials and research findings from both domestic and international sources.
The Russian literature of the 20th century can be described as a rather unique phenomenon in the world literary scene. After an initial burst of dazzling prosperity at the turn of the century, many renowned writers left Russia and settled in Western Europe and the Anglo-American world. Moreover, most of them continued to write and achieved remarkable success in their creative endeavors, forming a literary force outside Russia. Their works, though widely circulated around the globe, were not accepted in the Russian homeland. Within Russia itself, Soviet literature emerged as a distinct force, standing out in the world literary arena with its unique ideological content and artistic forms. These two branches of Russian literature were, of course, irreconcilable, but as the century drew to a close, the Russian literature outside Russia surged back to its homeland with widespread acclaim. Such a scenario, if not entirely unprecedented in the history of world literature, is certainly quite rare.