THE GIANTS OF RUSSIAN LITERATURE

Professor Knapp wisely eschews trying to cover all of Russian literature in 14 lectures by concentrating on selected works by four authors, including FATHERS AND SONS, NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND, CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, and ANNA KARENINA. She gives useful and interesting background--biographical, intellectual, literary, and historical--and interpretations that vary between straightforward close readings and explications of symbolism. Her interpretations, though sometimes a bit heavy-handed, are sensible and plausible. Her voice is a bit weak, and there are more than a few stumbles and moments of awkwardness, either in text or delivery. But the course is illuminating and solidly instructive. A booklet gives the lectures, abridged, with reading suggestions and a bibliography; supplemental online material, including a "final," was not seen by AUDIOFILE. W.M. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 07/ JAN 08]