An Anthology of Russian literature from earliest writings to modern fiction

Arrangement of the selections is chronological, except for the early 19th century, when the progression is interrupted in order to arrange texts by topic. The introduction to each section places the literary works in their historical context and notes later cultural resonances. Following each text is an introductory guide to primary and secondary sources, including available aesthetic transformations of the work, its subjects, and its motifs in film, video, musical recordings, and art collections.