Behind a cold wall. Evgenia Jen Baranova. Where There Is Golden, There Is White [Gde zolotoe, tam i beloe]

Abstract

Batalov reviews a new collection of poems by the contemporary author and editor of the Formaslov publisher Evgenia Jen Baranova. The critic traces the principal motifs of Baranova’s lyrical poetry and considers the evolution of her work through the prism of Tsvetaeva’s concepts of ‘poets with history’ and ‘poets without history.’ He believes that, from the very outset, Baranova has sided with the latter, being mostly interested in low-key lyrical poetry with its emphasis on experiences and anxieties of the inner self rather than the outside world. In contrast to her previous collections also briefly discussed in the review, her new book Where There Is Golden, There Is White [Gde zolotoe, tam i beloe] includes poems that contemplate the poet’s attitude to reality. According to Batalov, Baranova seems to have developed a better understanding of the current period with its chronological and geographical circumstances and has the power to engage in a dialogue with time on virtually equal terms, all of which makes her new book a showcase for her impressive poetic talent and versatility.