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An expert in Old Russian literature, Eugene Vodolazkin was born in Kiev in 1964. His debut novel, Solovyov and Larionov was shortlisted for the Andrei Bely Prize and The Big Book Prize. Laurus, his second novel, won both of Russia's major literary awards, The Book Book Prize and the Yasnaya Polyana Award. Vodolazkin lives with his family in St. Petersburg, Russia.

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At Lenin's Tomb

From the February 2022 Print Edition

History, to the modern mind, has a goal and follows the path of progress, so that new becomes identified with better. It was on this basis that, a century ago in Russia, communist belief seized the moment. Typically for the progressive tradition, the word “new” acquired a magical . . . . Continue Reading »

The New Middle Ages

From the Aug/Sept 2016 Print Edition

The past is returning. Any return assumes a preceding departure. Perhaps, though, the past never left, and its absence will turn out to have been an illusion. Certain traits embedded in genes don’t manifest themselves for some time. That doesn’t mean they’ve disappeared, though; they’re . . . . Continue Reading »