Evgeny Boratynsky and the Russian Golden Age

Book excerpt: Evgeny Boratynsky and the Russian Golden Age is the first translation of nearly all the lyrics by Evgeny Boratynsky (1800–1844), one of the greatest poets of the Golden Age of Russian poetry. The translation retains the meter and rhyming of the original. The commentary following each work provides the necessary background information and often includes translations from the works of Boratynsky’s contemporaries and of later poets. Boratynsky is thus presented against the background of contemporary poetry, both Russian and French, and as an influence on later poets. The book opens with a long introduction on Boratynsky’s life and achievements as well as an analysis of the previous translations of his works into English. Two indexes—of names and of subjects—help the reader to navigate through the poet’s world and works.