The Last Soviet Avant-Garde

This insightful exploration of Soviet avant-garde writers captures the essence of OBERIU and its significant influence on literature during a transformative era.

In The Last Soviet Avant-Garde, Graham Roberts delves into the world of OBERIU, a collective of avant-garde Soviet writers who emerged in Leningrad during the 1920s and 1930s. This group, known as 'The Association for Real Art', sought to redefine artistic expression against the backdrop of a rapidly changing cultural landscape. Roberts meticulously examines the unique contributions of prominent members such as Daniil Kharms, Aleksandr Vvedensky, and Konstantin Vaginov, as well as fellow writers like Nikolay Zabolotsky and Igor Bakhterev. Through this exploration, he aims to challenge and re-evaluate the established narratives surrounding OBERIU's identity and aesthetic significance.

Roberts places OBERIU within the broader context of Russian literary traditions, drawing connections to the theories of formalists and the Bakhtin circle. He highlights how these writers engaged with and responded to the movements of modernism and postmodernism, positioning their work as a crucial transitional phase in the evolution of literature. The book offers a fresh perspective on the group's self-conscious literature, emphasizing its metafictional qualities and the ways in which it reflects the complexities of its time.

Ultimately, The Last Soviet Avant-Garde serves as a vital resource for understanding the innovative spirit of OBERIU and its enduring impact on literature. Roberts' comprehensive analysis not only sheds light on the group's artistic endeavors but also invites readers to reconsider the role of avant-garde movements in shaping modern literary discourse.