| Unit name | Post Soviet Russian Prose Fiction |
|---|---|
| Unit code | RUSS30040 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Chitnis |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Russian |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
In this unit, we shall study five novels and/or short story collections published in Russia following the break-up of the Soviet Union. We shall explore how Russian writers reflect and respond to the changing cultural, social and political situation in both their subject matter and style. We shall read a diverse range of works, from anti-utopias and science-fiction to grim realism to detective fiction and comic writing, written by writers seeking to remain faithful to Russias literary traditions, to adapt to Western and commercial models or to reflect the latest cultural trends. Students will be encouraged to select texts based on their own interests. Suggested works for study (with English titles in brackets) include: Vladimir Makanin: Laz (The Escape Hatch), Viktor Pelevin: Omon Ra or Chapaev i Pustota (The Clay Machine Gun), Iurii Buida: Don Domino (The Zero Train), Boris Akunin: Azazel (The Winter Queen), Tatiana Tolstaia: Kys (The Slynx), Vladimir Sorokin: Led (Ice).
