A. G. Grodetskaya. Goncharov in the Maykovs’ literary circle. The 1830s–1840s

Abstract

The reviewer finds A. Grodetskaya’s scholarly contributions particularly valuable because they result from open-minded research. Equally undeniable are her achievements in the preparation and publication of Goncharov’s Complete Works and Letters. The book refers to the Maykovs’ literary circle alternately as a literary salon, a circle, or a literary home, each implying an air of literary domesticity. A member of the Maykovs’ literary circle, V. Solonitsyn collaborated with Biblioteka Dlya Chteniya (a monthly printed magazine) and had a number of works by other members published there; interestingly, he also instigated the Maykovs’ handwritten magazines. Homemade journalism coexisted with professional literary work. Goncharov may have started as a professional author, but in the Maykovs’ salon he drifted towards amateur art. He could not imagine his life without writing and discovered many channels like Biblioteka Dlya Chteniya, Podsnezhnik (a handwritten magazine), and the opportunity to join the expedition of the frigate Pallada, which produced a series of the famous sketches penned as private journal entries.