Arguably the most important living Russian writer, Sasha Sokolov is an acknowledged literary master. Widely admired for his ability to elevate prose to the level of poetry, he is also known for his craftsmanship and phenomenal use of language. Until now, however, English-speaking audiences have had access to only a few of his acclaimed works – novels A School for Fools (1977), Between Dog and Wolf (1980), and Astrophobia (1989), and the essay "The Anxious Pupa." In the House of the Hanged features the first-ever translation of thirteen of Sokolov's major essays and free verses.

Exploring universal truths concerning language, the role of the artist, talent, and virtuosity, these texts provide key insight into the development of Sokolov's shorter forms. Each is accompanied by explanatory notes and an annotated index developed by Alexander Boguslawski in conjunction with Sokolov himself. These serve to contextualize Sokolov's Russian cultural and linguistic references, and allow worldwide audiences to enjoy his astounding erudition, wit, curiosity, and ever-developing talent.

Sasha Sokolov was born in Canada in 1943 and grew up in the Soviet Union, which he left in 1975. He received the Andrei Bely Prize in 1981 and the Pushkin Prize for literature in 1996.

Sasha Sokolov's profile page

Alexander Boguslawski is a professor in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at Rollins College.

Alexander Boguslawski's profile page

"This is a welcome addition to English-language resources on this important and inventive Slavic writer."

<em>CHOICE</em>

"Sasha Sokolov’s writing, celebrated in the Soviet Union as among the best of tamizdat, continues to attract serious readers in post-Soviet Russia … For the serious reader, and student, of Sokolov’s writing, there is much to be gleaned in this collection."

<en>Slavic & East European Journal </em>