The Main Address of Dostoevsky (Book Review: Tikhomirov B. N. Dostoevsky on Kuznechny Lane. Dates. Events. People. St. Petersburg, Kuznechnyy pereulok Publ., 2022. 224 p.)

Abstract

The review examines the content of B. N. Tikhomirov’s research, methodology, sources, design, as well as the shortcomings of the publication. It includes a general description of the author of the book as a Dostoevsky scholar and delineates the range of his interests in this sphere. The literary and local history aspect of his scientific activity that dates back to the local historical method of N. P. Antsiferov is revealed. The book under review belongs to the branch of literary local lore that studies the addresses where Dostoevsky himself lived, rather than the St. Petersburg of his characters. Below is a detailed analysis of the book. The actualization of the biographical approach determines the achievement of the goal set by the author — “to recreate the external aspects of the great artist’s life.” This goal also shapes the structure of the book, which comprises two unequal parts about Dostoevsky’s St. Petersburg life in the house on Kuznechny Lane in 1846 and in 1878–1881. Special attention is paid to the nature of B. N. Tikhomirov’s work with sources of information about Dostoevsky’s life in these periods: memoirs, diaries, epistolary, newspaper chronicle, artifacts, notebooks. The author concludes that the author managed to create an authentic and multifaceted image of the writer, even in the absence of references to his creative work.