Auden, W. H. (2021). The dyer’s hand. Translated by M. Dadyan, G. Shulpyakov, A. Kurt et al. Moscow: Izdatelstvo Olgi Morozovoy. (In Russ.)

Abstract

The Russian translation of W. H. Auden’s The Dyer’s Hand [Ruka krasilshchika] is the first complete translation into Russian of the original collection of essays written by Auden at different points in his life. Although diverse in their topics, the essays can be grouped together in thematic chapters — such is the order of their reading as advised by the author. Auden shares his views of world literature, citing various works and analysing the poetics of the selected authors. The review particularly details Auden’s radically changing philosophical views — from Freudism to Marxism to religion. The reviewer dwells on the suggestion made previously by some critics that Auden’s ultimate belief was in the Word as such, the Absolute of language — that is to say, poetry — which, however, failed to achieve the poet’s intended goal of changing the world. The Dyer’s Hand is full of highly interesting statements. The book can be considered the crowning glory of the poet as a thinker.