An Outline of Russian Literature

Maurice Baring

2024年1月 · Otbebookpublishing

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Excerpt: "The chief difficulty which Englishmen have experienced in writing about Russia has, up till quite lately, been the prevailing ignorance of the English public with regard to all that concerns Russian affairs. A singularly intelligent Russian, who is connected with the Art Theatre at Moscow, said to me that he feared the new interest taken by English intellectuals with regard to Russian literature and Russian art. He was delighted, of course, that they should be interested in Russian affairs, but he feared their interest was in danger of being crystallized in a false shape and directed into erroneous channels. This ignorance will always remain until English people go to Russia and learn to know the Russian people at first hand. It is not enough to be acquainted with a certain number of Russian writers; I say a certain number advisedly, because, although it is true [vi] that such writers as Tolstoy and Turgenev have long been naturalized in England, it is equally true that some of the greatest and most typical of Russian authors have not yet been translated. There is in England no complete translation of Pushkin. This is much the same as though there were in Russia no complete translation of Shakespeare or Milton. I do not mean by this that Pushkin is as great a poet as Shakespeare or Milton, but I do mean that he is the most national and the most important of all Russian writers. There is no translation of Saltykov, the greatest of Russian satirists; there is no complete translation of Leskov, one of her greatest novelists, while Russian criticism and philosophy, as well as almost the whole of Russian poetry, is completely beyond the ken of England. The knowledge of what Russian civilisation, with its glorious fruit of literature, consists in, is still a sealed book so far as England is concerned."

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作者简介

Maurice Baring (1874-1945) was an English man of letters whose life and work bridged the worlds of literature, journalism, and diplomacy. Born into an aristocratic family, Baring was educated at Eton and Cambridge, where he developed a profound appreciation for European culture and languages. His career began in the British diplomatic service, which took him across Europe and the Middle East, experiences that enriched his literary output with a cosmopolitan flair.Baring's literary contributions are diverse, including novels, plays, poetry, and essays. His works often explore themes of identity, exile, and the clash of cultures, reflecting his own peripatetic life. Notable among his novels are "C" (1924) and "Cat's Cradle" (1925), which delve into the complexities of human relationships and the moral ambiguities of modern life.A contemporary and friend of literary giants like G.K. Chesterton and Hilaire Belloc, Baring was also a significant figure in the Catholic literary revival of the early 20th century. His conversion to Catholicism in 1909 influenced much of his later work, imbuing it with a spiritual depth that resonated with readers seeking meaning in a rapidly changing world.Baring's life was not without controversy. His outspoken views on politics and society, often conservative and traditionalist, sometimes put him at odds with the progressive currents of his time. Yet, his nuanced understanding of Russian culture and literature, gleaned from his time as a correspondent in Russia, provided Western readers with invaluable insights during a period of great geopolitical upheaval.Maurice Baring's legacy endures through his richly textured prose and his ability to capture the essence of the human spirit in an era of transformation. His works continue to intrigue modern readers with their timeless exploration of the human condition.