Tolstoy or Dostoevsky: An Essay in the Old Criticism Second Edition

About this book

George Steiners Tolstoy or Dostoevsky has become a classic among scholars of Russian literature. An essay in poetic and philosophic criticism that bears mainly on the Russian masters Tolstoy or Dostoevsky deals also with larger themes: the epic tradition extending from Homer to Tolstoy; the continuity of a "tragic world view" from Oedipus Rex to King Lear and The Brothers Karamazov; the contrasts between the epic and dramatic modes between irreconcilably opposed views of God and of history. "A must for the teacher student and intellectually serious reader."Kirkus Reviews "This is a book that provides new and stimulating insight into the literary masterpieces and thought of the great Russian novelists. Moreover in this work Steiner shows a great depth and breadth of literary knowledge and criticism that is not limited alone to the Russian writers under discussion but to writers of all genres and all literary periods."Journal of Religion "His is a work of personal criticism often ingenious always deeply felt."The New York Times "Brilliant provocative full of insights this classic study still stands alone and unchallenged in modern criticism as a lucid and erudite study of the contrasting genius of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. Steiners book is a must for the student scholar or general reader who wishes to approach the Russian giants in their full literary and philosophical ambience."Robert L. Jackson