Exploring Russian Literature's Spiritual Labor: A Review of Wonder Confronts Certainty, Book Review

Abstract

Review of the book Wonder Confronts Certainty by Gary Saul Morson, eminent literary critic and Slavist. The book is a recent (2023) release, and uses Russian literature from the mid-19th century as a means of reading Russian society and politics. It delves into the profound intersection of Russian literature and philosophy, addressing the 'accursed questions' on life's meaning, morality, and truth. Morson stages a Dialogue of the Dead with eminent Russian thinkers, navigating the great realist novelists and the unique intelligentsia. Divided into three sections, the book explores the intricacies of Russian intellectual life, categorizing the intelligentsia into distinct sub-types. While the final section engages timeless questions, the book's strength lies in Morson's nuanced understanding of opposing perspectives. Interwoven with intertextuality, it skillfully examines Russian history and politics, though at times leaning towards anti-Soviet sentiments and displaying a slight masculine bias. Overall, it offers a lucid primer on Russian literature and politics.

Keywords: Russian literature, Philosophy

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