Maxim Gorky - by Tovah Yedlin (Hardcover)

About the Book

Maxim Gorky, born Aleksei Maksimovich Peshkov in 1868 to the low stratum of Russian society, rose to prominence early in life as a writer and publicist. Gorky, who did not have a formal education, became famous in his country and abroad. Writing could not satisfy the rebellious Gorky who soon became involved in revolutionary movements. After a short period with the populist/narodnik movement, Gorky became disillusioned with the peasant class, and, instead, he chose the nascent class of workers as the vehicle for change. It is as if Gorky and capitalism arrived in Russia together. In his view the intelligentsia and the workers would bring about the change in the political, social, and cultural life of the country.

Gorky came close to Lenin and the Bolsheviks, taking an active part in the Revolution of 1905 and going into an exile that lasted until 1913. Gorky, returning home on the eve of World War I and the following revolutions of February and October 1917, became involved in the momentous developments. He vehemently opposed Lenin's socialist revolution, maintaining that Russia was not ready for it. A second exile followed in 1921. After returning in 1928 to Stalin's Soviet Union, Gorky was made into an icon, with the eye of the inquisition watching over him. And here began what is often called The Tragedy of Maxim Gorky. He died in 1936, but the circumstances of his death as well as the question whither Gorky is still debated Based on hitherto unavailable primary sources, Yedlin has cut through the Gorky legend to show the real person, the Gorky of contradictions and oscillations. Fascinating reading for scholars and students of Russian history and literature as well as the general public.

Book Synopsis

Maxim Gorky, born Aleksei Maksimovich Peshkov in 1868 to the low stratum of Russian society, rose to prominence early in life as a writer and publicist. Gorky, who did not have a formal education, became famous in his country and abroad. Writing could not satisfy the rebellious Gorky who soon became involved in revolutionary movements. After a short period with the populist/narodnik movement, Gorky became disillusioned with the peasant class, and, instead, he chose the nascent class of workers as the vehicle for change. It is as if Gorky and capitalism arrived in Russia together. In his view the intelligentsia and the workers would bring about the change in the political, social, and cultural life of the country.

Gorky came close to Lenin and the Bolsheviks, taking an active part in the Revolution of 1905 and going into an exile that lasted until 1913. Gorky, returning home on the eve of World War I and the following revolutions of February and October 1917, became involved in the momentous developments. He vehemently opposed Lenin's socialist revolution, maintaining that Russia was not ready for it. A second exile followed in 1921. After returning in 1928 to Stalin's Soviet Union, Gorky was made into an icon, with the eye of the inquisition watching over him. And here began what is often called The Tragedy of Maxim Gorky. He died in 1936, but the circumstances of his death as well as the question whither Gorky is still debated Based on hitherto unavailable primary sources, Yedlin has cut through the Gorky legend to show the real person, the Gorky of contradictions and oscillations. Fascinating reading for scholars and students of Russian history and literature as well as the general public.

Review Quotes

.,."admirable in its examination of both old and the new material with the goal of de-mythologizing Gorky's political biography. Yeldin has laid a foundation for further research and given Gorky scholars many new avenues to pursue."-Slavic and East European Journal

?...admirable in its examination of both old and the new material with the goal of de-mythologizing Gorky's political biography. Yeldin has laid a foundation for further research and given Gorky scholars many new avenues to pursue.?-Slavic and East European Journal

?This book, an excellent survey of Gor'kii's political life and thinking, enriched with a wonderful selection of quotations from Gor'kii's and from those who knew him, is a valuable step toward a full understanding of this exceptionally central and appropriately complex figure in Russia's dramatic, and often traumatic, historical experience of the first half of the twentieth century.?-Slavic Review

..."admirable in its examination of both old and the new material with the goal of de-mythologizing Gorky's political biography. Yeldin has laid a foundation for further research and given Gorky scholars many new avenues to pursue."-Slavic and East European Journal

"This book, an excellent survey of Gor'kii's political life and thinking, enriched with a wonderful selection of quotations from Gor'kii's and from those who knew him, is a valuable step toward a full understanding of this exceptionally central and appropriately complex figure in Russia's dramatic, and often traumatic, historical experience of the first half of the twentieth century."-Slavic Review

About the Author

TOVAH YEDLIN is Professor Emerita in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultural Studies and the Division of Slavic and East European Studies, University of Alberta, Canada. In addition to her translations and articles, Professor Yedlin is the editor of Women in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union (Praeger, 1980).