Ranchin Andrey Mikhailovich – DS in Philology, Leading Researcher of the Department of Literary Studies, Institute of Scientific Information for Social Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences
The book under review by the famous philologist E. Lyamina and historian N. Samover examines the mechanism of creating the literary reputation of I.A. Krylov, including the strategy of the author himself. This is in many ways an innovative scientific study. It shows Krylov’s search for patrons, traces how the “nationalization” of the poet occurs, turning him into “his majesty’s fabulist”, explains why Krylov, who had already gained fame as a playwright, gave preference to the fable. The book also analyzes the celebration of Krylov’s anniversary on February 2, 1838. Researchers have demonstrated that it was these celebrations that became a kind of canonization of the fabulist as a lifetime classic. It also examines the semiotics of the fabulist’s farcical behavior, which brought him fame as an eccentric and a jester and served as an instrument for defending his independence. The funeral ritual of Krylov, which strengthened his status as a national classic, the posthumous reception of his work in the middle – second half of the 19th century and the history of the creation of the first monument to the fabulist (1855) are analyzed. Reading the book by E. Lyamina and N. Samover is not only a fascinating intellectual work, but also an aesthetic pleasure. “Ivan Krylov – Superstar” is written in an interesting, lively, sparkling way, which the hero of the book himself obliged. All readers of this book – and among them there may be not only scientists-humanists – will have a pleasant and useful pastime.
I.A. Krylov; construction of literary reputation; mythologization; anecdotes; semiotization of everyday behavior; anniversary celebrations of 1838; funeral; first monument; reception in Russian literature and criticism