Cambridge University Press Dostoevsky and the Christian Tradition (Cambridge Studies in Russian Literature)

Dostoevsky is one of Russia's greatest novelists and a major influence in modern debates about religion, both in Russia and the West. This collection brings together Western and Russian perspectives on the issues raised by the religious element in his work. The aim of this collection is not to abstract Dostoevsky's religious 'teaching' from his literary works, but to explore the interaction between his Christian faith and his writing. The essays cover such topics as temptation, grace and law, Dostoevsky's use of the gospels and hagiography, Trinitarianism, and the Russian tradition of the veneration of icons, as well as reading aloud, and dialogism. In addition to an exploration of the impact of the Christian tradition on Dostoevsky's major novels, Crime and Punishment, The Idiot and The Brothers Karamazov, there are also discussions of lesser-known works such as The Landlady and A Little Boy at Christ's Christmas Tree. Review Review of the hardback: 'Here is both literary criticism and theological reflection … [the authors] are to be congratulated on collecting and editing such a fine book.' TheologyReview of the hardback: 'It goes without saying that Dostoevsky cannot occupy the central position in any appraisal of the assimilation of Christianity into Russian literature as indeed of the relevance of this phenomenon to the new Russia; in this context, then, the appearance of Dostoevsky and the Christian Tradition is timely and welcome.' Modern Language Review Book Description This collection brings together Western and Russian perspectives on the issues raised by the religious element in Dostoevsky's work. About the Author Dianne Oenning Thompson is an affiliated lecturer in the Slavonic Department at the University of Cambridge and has taught Russian literature in the United States.George Pattison is Dean of Chapel at King's College, Cambridge.