Arguments of Russian Literary Critics

The book aims to answer the question of why critics criticize and praise writers. The study systematizes and analyzes the arguments that critics throughout the history of Russian literature have used to justify their judgments on why a particular literary text is good or bad. Each chapter is dedicated to one type of argument that substantiates the merits or shortcomings of a text based on the presence or absence of a certain value: authenticity, integrity, conciseness, emotional expressiveness, quality of character portrayal, etc. The research is based on hundreds of literary-critical texts written throughout the entire history of literary criticism in Russia—from the late 18th to the early 21st century.

The book may be useful for those interested in the history of Russian literature, and especially for professional literary critics. It can also be used as a textbook for students in philological specialties.