Livshits, B. (2025). Noon at Crotone [Krotonskiy polden]: Collected poems. Ed. by V. Molodyakov. Moscow: Vodoley. (In Russ.)

Abstract

Edited by V. Molodyakov, the book of poetry by B. Livshits (1886/87–1938) entitled Noon at Crotone [Krotonskiy polden] is reproduced for the first time since 1928 and faithfully observes the poet’s intentions. It contains all of his known poetic works. The book draws from earlier collections, including Marsyas’ Flute [Fleyta Marsiya] (1911), Sun of Wolves [Volchie solntse] (1914), and Patmos (1926). It also incorporates Medusa of the Bog [Bolotnaya meduza] — out of which some poems appeared in 1922 under the title From Marshy Bogs [Iz topi blat] — and the manuscript Kartvelian Odes [Kartvelskie ody], which went unpublished after its 1935 submission to Zarya Vostoka Publishers. These segments reproduce the composition of the first editions of Marsyas’ Flute and Sun of Wolves. Dedicated chapters contain poems associated with the original design of Medusa of the Bog and Patmos. A special section was created for Humorous Verse. Co-authored. The edition is supplied with an extensive commentary that considers research completed to date by various scholars, and for the first time ever explains the context of the origins of the poet’s imagery and philosophy.