Dialogues with Shklovsky

What did Khlebnikov make of Mandelstam's poetry; why did Shklovsky consider 'Doctor Zhivago' an unremarkable novel; and how were Mayakovsky and Blok involved with Russian Formalism? If you want to know the answers, read Duvakin's quirky interviews with Victor Shklovsky: a treasure trove of knowledge and vivid impressions of post-1917 Russian culture. -- Galin Tihanov, George Steiner Professor of Comparative Literature, Queen Mary University of London "I knew almost everyone," - Viktor Shklovsky told his interviewer in 1968. He certainly did. A major contributor to the history and theory of art and literature in Russia, Shklovsky was at the center of the avant-garde movement of the 1910s-1920s, and his warning - "Do not forget that we were all crazy at that time" - captures well the hopes, the aspirations, and the audacity of early Soviet writers, poets, and artists. Witty and opinionated, these interviews bring the reader into the midst of the exciting and eccentric milieu of those who had energy and talent to envision a world of art that never existed before. Accompanied by detailed commentaries, this collection is a great addition to the history of Russian culture of the twentieth century. -- Serguei Oushakine, Princeton University

Slav N. Gratchev is associate professor of Spanish at Marshall University. Irina Evdokimova is an independent scholar and former attorney.

Introduction by Irina Evdokimova and Slav N. Gratchev Dialogue One. 1967. Dialogue Two. 1968. Monologue. July 14, 1981. Bibliography Introduction to Photograph Collection by Alexey Lobov Photo Gallery The Miracle of Viktor Duvakin: Afterword by Victor Fet