Kasatkina, T., ed. (2025). Authors’ theories of creative process. Moscow: IMLI RAN. (In Russ.)

The reviewed book describes several implicit theories of creative process offered by writers themselves. For this purpose, the scholars examine the text along with unambiguous statements by its author. A true theory of creative process is inherent in the act of artistic creation and can only be deduced from the internal logic of a given work of literature. The importance of comprehending authors’ theories of creative process is determined by the fact that they are integral to the adequate analysis of the text and verification of interpretations.

In the introduction, T. Kasatkina points out that over the last two centuries scholars have often approached a text with a theory and method of their own devise or borrowed from other scholars. Such an approach produces studies that impose new meanings in place of those intended by the author and subjective interpretations that deviate from the author’s design. The papers reconstruct implicit author theories of creative process based on analyses of works by Dante, Langland, Dostoevsky, writers within the traditions of Russian symbolism and cosmism, Brodsky, and the Oxford-based Inklings.