This collection of essays on Turgenev, Goncharov, Conrad, Dos-toevsky, Blok, Briusov, Gor'kii, Pasternak and Nabokov presents a unified vision of diverse voices. Recurring themes in Masing-Delic's work include the distinction between 'culture' and 'civilisation' with Russia as the bearer of culture because it is 'barbaric'. Another deals with the synthesis of 'sense and sensibility' and the vision of 'Apollo' and 'Dionysus' creating a 'civilised culture' together. Voices that delight in the artificiality of civilisation are complemented by those apprehensive of the dangers of barbarism. Adding new perspectives to the much-debated oppo-sition of vital Russia and a declining West, Masing-Delic offers novel interpretations of classics from Oblomov to Lolito and "The Idiot" to "Doctor Zhivago".

"Masing-Delic has brought to her readings and intertextual analyses an impressive knowledge of Russian literature and its cultural contexts, thereby opening up new perspectives. Her interpretations are grounded in the texts in such a way that the large historiosophic themes emerge naturally from her discussions rather than being theoretically imposed on them. She has admirably succeeded in combining literary interpretation with cultural history in mutually illuminating ways. Her boldly conceived and thoughtful study will be essential reading for specialists and will appeal to those interested in intertextuality, Russian literature, and cultural history." - Slavic Review

"Thoughtful and nuanced original analyses on a set of topics of persistent importance within the Russian literary tradition." - Slavic and East European Review