Bookvica

[MASTER OF SATIRE] Mikhail Zoshchenko: Statii i materialy [i.e. Articles and Other Materials]

Leningrad: Academia, 1928. Item #345

94 pp. 18x13 cm. In original wrappers and dustwrappers with same portrait by N.E. Radlov. Tears and losses of fragments of the spine of both wrappers, text block is detached from the wrappers. Otherwise good and internally clean.

First edition. One of 5000 copies. Scarce.
First book in the series ‘‘Masters of Modern Literature’’ edited by B. Kazansky and Y. Tynianov. Includes bibliography, ‘‘Zoshchenko’s Language’’ by V. Vinogradov, ‘‘Ways of Zoshenko’’ by A. Barmin, ‘‘About Zoshcheko and Big Literature’’ by Shklovsky, and Zoshchenko’s short essay about himself, his critics and work.

This book was banned (Babel’, Pil’nyak and Kol’tsov who were considered enemies of the state were mentioned in the book). It should also be taken into account that at that time the very name of Zoshchenko looked odious in the eyes of Glavlit officials. The writer was subjected to constant censorship attacks, beginning in 1923. For example two books he created in close cooperation with the satirical artist and art critic N. Radlov (1889-1942) were arrested for drawings and signatures under them.
Mikhail Mikhailovich Zoshchenko (1894-1958) was a Soviet author and satirist. He always very sharply noticed not only the funny in the ordinary, but also the changes of time - he felt them. The stories of Mikhail Zoshchenko of the 1920s were adored by emigration - and this was alarmed by the party leadership. As often happens, good satire usually leads to bad: for many years Zoshchenko was in disgrace and earned an anonymous life of translations and shoe repair. He was
awarded his pension only a few months before he died.

Blium. Zapreshchyonnye russkie knigi. #1100.

Sold