The Occult in Russian and Soviet Culture
"This book succeeds in making a strong case for a relatively widespread fad for occult works in pre- and post-industrial Russia. . . . This rich, diverse collection of essays makes an enormous contribution to our understanding of the cultural history of late imperial and Soviet Russia. After reading this book, it will be impossible to approach the thinkers and writers of the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries without taking into account the prevalence of mystical and occultist strains of thought."—Valerie A. Kivelson, The Russian Review"Casting a rather wide net, the essays in this book succeed in documenting an amazing array of occult or occult-like ideas and practices, not only during the symbolist age, but also in the seemingly rational, materialist, and antisuperstitious Soviet period. In this sense, the book offers a contribution to the ongoing reevaluation of the relationship between modernist and Stalinist culture. . . . The main intention of this collection, according to Rosenthal, was 'to raise new issues for research and discussion.' The book certainly fulfills this purpose admirably."—Adrian Wanner, Slavic Review"A valuable contribution toward a deeper understanding of the intellectual atmosphere in which Communism developed."—Shoshana Keller, H-Net Reviews"A fascinating exploration of occult themes in Russian culture, from turn-of-the-century modernism to the post-Communist scene, not excluding the nooks and crannies of the Soviet period. Admirable for its range and scholarly detail."—Laura Engelstein, Princeton University