Realism as a Perpetual Challenge. Review of: Weisman, M., Vdovin, A., Klieger, I., & Ospovat, K. (Eds.). (2020). Russkii realizm XIX veka. Obshchestvo, znanie, povestvovanie [Russian Realism of the 19th Century. Society, Knowledge, Narrative]. Moscow: Novoe literaturnoe obozrenie. 568 p.

Abstract

This text responds to the conceptualisation of nineteenth-century Russian realism presented in separate chapters of the monograph Russian Realism of the 19th Century. Society, Knowledge, Narrative. The review examines the objectives set in the introductory article of the collection and their development in specific studies. The review evaluates the tendency to actualise the work done so far in understanding the concept of “realism”, to pay attention to it again, and combine the views of Russian researchers with the works of foreign scholars. The authors of individual articles of the collection manage to direct their attention to the chosen aspects of studying not only of specific literary works of realist writers of the nineteenth century, but also to those factors external to their creative activities which in many respects determined the themes, subjects, and value orientation of their works. The review also points out that, while comprehending some specific features and specific literary works, and realism as a universal phenomenon, the authors often pay attention to rather private issues. Assessing the work done and the tendency to compare the works of Russian writers with Western ones, it is stated that the authors of individual chapters are not always able to summarise the results of the research and point out exactly what is universal in realism, and what is typical of the Russian realism of the nineteenth century.