Scandal and Controversy in Russian Literature - Trailer

Among the many emotions that Russian literature has triggered over the past 200 years, the triad of outrage, disbelief, and moral panic has been a particularly stubborn phenomenon. Literary critics, state authorities, and even disconcerted readers have regularly demonstrated their obsession with the assumed impact of novels and other ideologically charged literature on the moral state of society.

To highlight this scandalous aspect of Russian literature,  senior lecturer Otto Boele examines eight notorious texts, paying particular attention to the commotion that they created. With no prior knowledge of Russian literature required, listeners will be introduced to a variety of topical issues, ranging from Russia’s ambiguous relationship with the West and socialist utopianism, to sexual morality, Soviet youth culture, and political dissent in present-day Russia. All in all, the podcast series offers a fresh look at the history of Russian literature: largely ignoring the obvious masterpieces and focusing mainly on “bad,” yet undeniably influential, novels.