Subscribe Login
Logo
Subscribe Login
January 01, 2021

Shoeing a Flea

Shoeing a Flea
A portrait of Leskov Valentin Serov (1889)

Nikolai Semyonovich Leskov holds a somewhat odd place in Russian literature. On one hand, he is a famous writer, a recognized classic. On the other, he has not won the same honors granted to the “first tier” writers, most consequential among those honors being inclusion in school curricula. In other words, generation after generation of millions of Russian schoolchildren have not had to – like it or not – read his books (or at least familiarize themselves with their plots).

As a result, Leskov has more or less disappeared from Russia’s collective consciousness. Of course, he’s still studied by literary scholars, and true lovers of Russian literature read him, but he’s nevertheless far from a “household name” in Russia. Why is that?

There seem to be several reasons for Leskov’s being swept under Russia’s cultural rug. First of all, several of his novels offer rather unflattering depictions of “nihilists” – the revolutionarily inclined young people of the 1860s and ’70s. This was enough to dispose a large proportion of his contemporaries against him and certainly to taint him in the eyes of Soviet publishers.

Digital Subscription Required

Get unlimited digital access for just $2 a month.
Forgot Account ID?

Don't have an account? signup

Tags: Leskovrussian literatureliterature

See Also

Dmitry Shostakovich

Dmitry Shostakovich

A short biography of the composer whose life was continually challenged by the Powers That Be.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Useful Links

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955

[email protected]