Review by Choice Review
For nearly 30 years, Pelevin (b. 1962) has been one of Russian literature's most popular and potent voices. His significance, however, has not been reflected in Western scholarship. Khagi (Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor) is diligently filling the void: as author of the first English-language monograph on Pelevin (Pelevin and Unfreedom, 2021) and now as editor of a fine collection of essays. The new collection is thoughtfully crafted for a specific audience, namely US and European nonspecialists looking to teach Pelevin at the university level. The chapters are thus organized chronologically and thematically; they treat all the author's major works, particularly those translated into English, but they also draw in less-known compositions and avoid going into the weeds on topics more relevant to Russianists. All chapters cohere as they trace the core body of ideas and creative techniques central to Pelevin's aesthetics. In sum, the Companion's scope is simultaneously expansive and tightly focused, and it models effective ways to approach Pelevin in the classroom. Noteworthy, too, is that most of the essays are written by current or recent graduate students. This gesture of foregrounding the voices of today's early-career aspiring professoriate is especially welcome. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. --Brendan James Nieubuurt, University of Michigan
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
