Woe from Wit

Alexander Sergeyevich Griboedov (1795–1829) — a Russian writer and diplomat, prose writer, playwright, historian, and linguist, as well as a pianist and composer. The comedy «Woe from Wit», which has become quotable, is characterized by a bright aphoristic style and, written on the eve of the Decembrist uprising, represents a remarkable poetic pamphlet that exposes the autocratic serfdom world order. The author juxtaposes social conflict and love intrigue and brings to light a new person for his time, who is one of the few that knows the truth: «…in my comedy, there are twenty-five fools for every clear-thinking person». The edition presents all the main literary heritage of Griboedov: «Woe from Wit», other dramatic works, poems, as well as prose attempts in the form of travel notes.