Necropolis by Vladislav Khodasevic
is a book published by Columbia University Press.
The beloved russian poet and translator, born in a polish catholic noble family located in Moscow, has decided to write this book that took circa a decade of his existence, from 1920 to the beginning of the '30s for describing some contemporaries writers he knew very well, and that were part of his same literary current: the Symbolism.
All facts reported, as also remarks the author have been verified and known by him and nothing, if not just few things have been reported by second or third hand.
What I found peculiar is that in every chapter and so portrait of writer or poet taken in consideration, there is substantially the point of view and vision of Vladislav on these writers plenty of anecdots, gossip, as well and whatever you can imagine. Nothing is left behind.
They are not just short biographies seen with the eyes of the writer: this work wants also to explain much better the most profound meanings of Symbolism. That's also why it is extremely important for historians and scholars.
I have been attracted by this book because I want personally to discover more russian authors and thanks to Khodasevich it has been possible.
Gorky, Petrovskaya, Bely and more, passions, intrigues, gossip, suicides, love-stories ended tragically, this book is this and much more. Written with extreme simplicity it is for a large public.
Highly recommended.
I thank Columbia University Press for the physical copy of the book.
Anna Maria Polidori
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