Anti-Bunin pamphlet by Ivan Nazhivin

Abstract

This publication continues the theme “I.F. Nazhivin vs I.A. Bunin” which was brought up earlier in one of the issues of “Literaturnyi fact”. Ivan Fedorovich Nazhivin (1874– 1940), a writer and publicist well-known in the Russian émigré circles, a follower of Leo Tolstoy, knew Bunin personally and corresponded with him for many years. The publication introduces into scientific circulation Nazhivin’s article-pamphlet “The County Moncher” (1934), the autograph of which (an unauthorized typescript) is stored in I.A. Bunin’s collection in the Russian State Archive of Literature and Art. Presumably, it is this text that the author intended to publish in the émigré press. The introductory article gives a brief description of the autograph, and also argues the choice of a more completed version of the text for publication. The basic principles of editing and commenting the material for publication are outlined.

Keywords

• ivan nazhivin
• ivan bunin
• nobel prize
• russian abroad
• pamphlet
• “the life of arseniev”
• “the county moncher”