Lyudmila Petrushevskaya
Encyclopedia
Lyudmila Stefanovna Petrushevskaya (born 26 May 1938) is a Russian writer, novelist and playwright.
The Moscow-born Petrushevskaya is regarded as one of Russia's most prominent contemporary writers, whose writing combines postmodernist trends with the psychological insights and parodic touches of writers such as Anton Chekhov
. Over the last few decades, she has been one of the most acclaimed contemporary writers at work in Eastern Europe; Publishers Weekly
has called her "one of the finest living Russian writers".
In 1979 she was co-writer of the scenario for one of the most influential Russian animated films, Tale of Tales
. She served as a jury member in the 3rd Open Russian Festival of Animated Film
in 1998.
In a 1993 interview with Sally Laird
, translator of her novella "The Time: Night
," Petrushevskaya said of her own work, "Russia is a land of women Homers, women who tell their stories orally, just like that, without inventing anything. They're extraordinarily talented storytellers. I'm just a listener among them."
Her works include the novels The Time Night (1992) and The Number One, both short-listed for the Russian Booker Prize
, and Immortal Love, a collection of short stories and monologues. Since the late 1980s her plays, stories and novels have been published in more than 30 languages. In 2003 she was awarded the Pushkin Prize in Russian literature by the Alfred Toepfer Foundation
in Germany
. She was awarded the Russian State Prize for arts (2004), the Stanislavsky Award (2005), and the Triumph Prize (2006).
A new collection, There Once Lived a Woman who Tried to Kill Her Neighbor's Baby, was published in the U.S. by Penguin Books
in October 2009 and became a New York Times Book Review bestseller in December 2009. In 2010 it won the World Fantasy Award
for Best Collection. The first major translation of her work by an American publisher, the stories often contain mystical
or allegorical elements which are used to illuminate bleak Soviet and post-Soviet living conditions. The collection of stories has been well reviewed, buttressing Petrushevskaya's reputation in the English-speaking world. An article in Dissent
called the collection "a striking introduction to the author's work":
In her late 60s, Petrushevskaya started a singing career, creating new lyrics for her favorite songs. Since 2008 she has regularly performing as a singer in Moscow (from nightclubs to major venues such as the Moscow House of Music) and across Russia as well as internationally. Recently she has begun writing her own songs.
Petrushevskaya is also known as a visual artist; her portraits, nudes and still lifes have been shown in major Russia's museums (Tretyakov Gallery, Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, State Museum of Literature) and private galleries.
The Moscow-born Petrushevskaya is regarded as one of Russia's most prominent contemporary writers, whose writing combines postmodernist trends with the psychological insights and parodic touches of writers such as Anton Chekhov
Anton Chekhov
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was a Russian physician, dramatist and author who is considered to be among the greatest writers of short stories in history. His career as a dramatist produced four classics and his best short stories are held in high esteem by writers and critics...
. Over the last few decades, she has been one of the most acclaimed contemporary writers at work in Eastern Europe; Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
has called her "one of the finest living Russian writers".
In 1979 she was co-writer of the scenario for one of the most influential Russian animated films, Tale of Tales
Tale of Tales
-External links:* at the Animator.ru**...
. She served as a jury member in the 3rd Open Russian Festival of Animated Film
3rd Open Russian Festival of Animated Film
The 3rd Open Russian Festival of Animated Film was held in from Feb. 5-9 in 1998 at a boarding house called "Birch Grove" two kilometres from the town of Tarusa, Russia...
in 1998.
In a 1993 interview with Sally Laird
Sally Laird
Sally Ann Laird was a British editor and translator who specialised in Russian literature.Laird studied at Oxford University and Harvard University, where she gained an MA in Soviet studies in 1981....
, translator of her novella "The Time: Night
The Time: Night
The Time: Night is a novella by Russian author Lyudmila Petrushevskaya. It was originally published in Russian in the literary journal Novy Mir in 1992 and translated into English by Sally Laird in 1994.-Plot Summary:...
," Petrushevskaya said of her own work, "Russia is a land of women Homers, women who tell their stories orally, just like that, without inventing anything. They're extraordinarily talented storytellers. I'm just a listener among them."
Her works include the novels The Time Night (1992) and The Number One, both short-listed for the Russian Booker Prize
Russian Booker Prize
The Russian Booker Prize is a Russian literary award modeled after the Booker Prize and inaugurated in 1992 by English Chief Executive Sir Michael Caine...
, and Immortal Love, a collection of short stories and monologues. Since the late 1980s her plays, stories and novels have been published in more than 30 languages. In 2003 she was awarded the Pushkin Prize in Russian literature by the Alfred Toepfer Foundation
Alfred Toepfer Stiftung F.V.S.
The Alfred Toepfer Stiftung F.V.S. is a German foundation established in 1931 by the Hamburg merchant Alfred Toepfer. The foundation is committed to promoting European unification and ensuring cultural diversity and understanding between the countries of Europe.- History :The rich industrialist...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. She was awarded the Russian State Prize for arts (2004), the Stanislavsky Award (2005), and the Triumph Prize (2006).
A new collection, There Once Lived a Woman who Tried to Kill Her Neighbor's Baby, was published in the U.S. by Penguin Books
Penguin Books
Penguin Books is a publisher founded in 1935 by Sir Allen Lane and V.K. Krishna Menon. Penguin revolutionised publishing in the 1930s through its high quality, inexpensive paperbacks, sold through Woolworths and other high street stores for sixpence. Penguin's success demonstrated that large...
in October 2009 and became a New York Times Book Review bestseller in December 2009. In 2010 it won the World Fantasy Award
World Fantasy Award
The World Fantasy Awards are annual, international awards given to authors and artists who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the field of fantasy...
for Best Collection. The first major translation of her work by an American publisher, the stories often contain mystical
Mysticism
Mysticism is the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, i.e. levels of being, beyond normal human perception, including experience and even communion with a supreme being.-Classical origins:...
or allegorical elements which are used to illuminate bleak Soviet and post-Soviet living conditions. The collection of stories has been well reviewed, buttressing Petrushevskaya's reputation in the English-speaking world. An article in Dissent
Dissent
Dissent is a sentiment or philosophy of non-agreement or opposition to a prevailing idea or an entity...
called the collection "a striking introduction to the author's work":
"Petrushevskaya’s stories could easily be read as bleak grotesques, populated by envious neighbors, selfish adolescents, and parents who overcompensate with exaggerated love. But ultimately, Petrushevskaya’s skillful juxtapositions yield glints of light. Resilience and ingenuity thread through the hardship, whether in the form of forgiveness or love. Such traces of humanity are starker—and brighter—because of the darkness that surrounds them."
In her late 60s, Petrushevskaya started a singing career, creating new lyrics for her favorite songs. Since 2008 she has regularly performing as a singer in Moscow (from nightclubs to major venues such as the Moscow House of Music) and across Russia as well as internationally. Recently she has begun writing her own songs.
Petrushevskaya is also known as a visual artist; her portraits, nudes and still lifes have been shown in major Russia's museums (Tretyakov Gallery, Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, State Museum of Literature) and private galleries.