"After the fall of the Soviet Union, there was a significant explosion in Russian literature," remarked Marina Tyurina Oberlander, philologist, poet, and translator, at a Kennan Institute discussion on 26 October 2009. The USSR's collapse ushered in a decade of chaos in the literary scene accompanied by the rise of mass media. When the dust finally settled in the late 1990s, as people tired of newspapers and magazines, Russian literature started to develop in new ways.

Two major trends emerged in the 1990s: commercial novels and memoirs. "In the commercial sector of literature, detective stories, science fiction, and romance novels thrived," Oberlander explained, noting that it was mostly women who wrote in the detective genre. Oberlander highlighted Yulia Latynina, who publishes "economic thrillers" about big business in Russia, as well as other prominent women authors.

In non-commercial literature, several well-known authors of conceptualism and metaphysical realism thrive. Oberlander described some of the novels in this genre as ironic and funny, while others are more dark and twisted. The latter books, noted Oberlander, were less well received by the public. "People want something that will give them spirit for tomorrow," she said.

Oberlander also discussed the various book prizes offered in Russia today. The most prestigious is the Russian Booker award, which was established in 1991. Another well-known award is the National Bestseller Prize, which she noted was often given to more nationalistic authors. Oberlander remarked that her favorite was the oldest non-government prize in Russia; established in 1978, the Andrei Bely Prize was created by an underfunded samizdat magazine that at the time offered a prize of one ruble, a bottle of vodka, and an apple. However, the prize has always conferred legitimacy and esteem upon its winners.

Oberlander concluded on an inspiring note, saying, "There are many young good authors coming out right now. They are not just talking about today's problems, but are looking towards the future as well."


Written by Larissa Eltsefon