Reading and Library in the Russian Literary Tradition (From a Landowner’s Estate to the Dacha of the Soviet Period)

Abstract

A personal or family library is an indispensable and significant element of an educated person’s life. Of particular value are writers’ libraries, which are formed both by buying new publications and by receiving books as a gift, and usually with friendly inscriptions. The study of a writer’s library helps to clarify the author’s reading circle and identify possible influences. Gift inscriptions help to determine the level of relationship. Interest in books, reading circle, possibility to understand and discuss the readings are important characteristics of literary characters. The article examines the legacy of N. V. Gogol, I. S. Turgenev, L. N. Tolstoy, B. K. Zaitsev, K. G. Paustovsky, M. M. Prishvin and A. T. Tvardovsky. The analysis shows that the literary tradition of homestead and dacha reading and library collecting, which was formed in the 19th century, was developed in the works of the 20th century authors.