Zaytsev, B. (2018). Reflections of the Eternal. Unknown short stories, essays, reminiscences and interviews. Ed. by A. Lyubomudrov. St. Petersburg: Rostok. (In Russ.)

Abstract

The review is concerned with a collection of hitherto unknown prose by B. Zaytsev that uncovers new aspects of his oeuvre. The collection covers literary variants of famous essays, hitherto unpublished short stories from before the October Revolution, and travelogues showing the writer's attitude to the spiritual and creative culture of the West. The reviewer points out the problem of the interaction between Russian literature and its European counterparts (particularly French literature) and defines the criteria (the Christian ideal and ‘common human compassion') used by Zaytsev for its assessment. Mentioned are the authors especially favoured by Zaytsev (F. Mauriac, A. Maurois, and G. Duhamel). Also noted is the writer's polemic with Western authors. The collection offers a treasure trove for scholarly reflections on literature and religion, as well as on Russian emigre literature versus Soviet and Western literatures.