31: Okudzhava Bilingual

6

Bulat Okudzhava: An Appreciation

A look at the life and work of this volume's focus, Bulat Okudzhava, King of the Bards. Thematic sections have short introductions, and all poems and stories in this volume are presented side by side in English and Russian. Literature

14

Love for Women

An amorous selection of poems/songs, including "The gray of a late autumn sky"; "I feel the need for someone I can pray to"; and "Sentimental March". Women

20

Eternal Love

An autobiographical piece about the author's humorous search for true love. Women

26

Love for Life and Humanity

Poems and songs including "Song of the Open Door"; "The shouts of the crowd demonstrating".

30

Love for Places

Poems and songs including "Song About Arbat"; "Black Sea".

36

The Mouse

A poignant autobiographical story of how a writer fell in love with a TV-loving mouse. Humor

42

War and its Aftermath

Poems and songs including "Forgive us foot soldiers"; "Somehow I can't believe I really went to war"; "Don't trust in war, young tadpole".

48

Genius

An autobiographical story about the author's earliest attempt to get his poetry published. Literature

55

The Power of Art

Poems and songs including "The Paramount Song"; "Painters don't be timid".

60

On Tverskoy Boulevard

A run in with a traffic cop gives the author some perspective on the importance of literature. Humor

66

A Great Honor

Sometimes unexpected things happen when you are asked to speak and perform in the provinces. Humor

74

The Private Life of Alexander Pushkin

A touching autobiographical story of the author's first year as a teacher, far from the glittering lights of the capital. Humor

98

The Freedom of the Artist

Poems and songs including "Guitar"; "That Lucky Pushkin".

106

Irony and its Allies

Poems and songs including "The ranks of real humans"; "A brash new Muse I have invented"; "Francois Villon's Prayer"; "Song about and Old, Sick, Tired King"

114

A Swedish Spy

A trip on the Trans-Siberian leads to a humorous case of mistaken identity. Humor

120

Murderer

A trip to Sweden leads to a signal lesson in inter-cultural understanding. Humor

128

Greetings, Your Majesty

During another trip to Sweden, the author learns a few things about monarchy. Humor