Lyric Complicity: Poetry and Readers in the Golden Age of Russian Literature

In nineteenth-century Russia, poetry was a part of daily life, and Daria Khitrova's book explores how poetry lovers of the period created a network of literary appreciation and constructed meaning through participatory, interactive, and performative practices. Lyric Complicity helps modern readers recover the former uses and functions of Russian poetry.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 08 June 2021
Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press

For many nineteenth-century Russians, poetry permeated every aspect of their lives, from conversation and correspondence to scrapbook albums and parlor entertainments. Daria Khitrova delves into the intricate relationship between poetry lovers and their era, combining close literary analysis with a rich tapestry of social and cultural history. Through her work, Khitrova reveals how these individuals became integral nodes in a vast network of literary appreciation, actively constructing meaning through their engagement with poetry.

Rather than a one-way conduit from author to reader, poetry during the Golden Age emerged as a participatory, interactive, and performative art form. It resonated with people's experiences, evoking emotions and prompting them to quote or recite specific passages from poems or remember unforgettable moments that inspired poetic verse. Lyric Complicity serves as a valuable guide for modern readers, helping them reclaim the former uses and functions of Russian poetry. By exploring life situations that moved individuals to quote or perform poetry, as well as forgotten occasions that left indelible marks on their hearts, the book offers a fresh perspective on the rich tapestry of Russian literature.

Through its meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Lyric Complicity invites readers to immerse themselves in the world of nineteenth-century Russian poetry, rediscovering the power of words to capture the essence of human experience and forge lasting connections across time and cultures.

Weight: 424g
Dimension: 153 x 229 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780299322144