The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas: A Novel

Gertrude Stein 1874-1946 - a writer and literary theorist, left a mark on modernist literature not only as an author but also as an organizer of a group for young English-speaking writers. A friend of Hemingway, Picasso, and every somewhat... significant figure in Paris in the early 20th century. The novel The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, written from the perspective of Gertrude Stein's longtime companion, can be read both as a guide to the avant-garde workshops and stages of Paris and as a psychological and stylistic masterpiece. In her characteristic caustic and witty manner, Gertrude Stein recounts her friendship with the artists and writers who shaped the face of the 20th century, her romantic relationships, and creative quests during the years leading up to World War I. The book created quite a stir among those mentioned and brought the writer well-deserved fame. At the same time, it became a programmatic work of modernism. The translation by Irina Ninova allows readers to appreciate the subtle distinctiveness of Stein's style. It would not be entirely accurate to suppose that Irina Ninova translated this prose from English to Russian. She translated from one non-existent language to another - unprecedented. Of course, a special syntactical structure, a meticulously filtered vocabulary, and skill and inspiration were required. Samuel Lurye