The Specifics of the Perception of Russian Culture in Contemporary Foreign Literature

Resumen

The present article delves into the nuances of how Russian culture is portrayed in contemporary foreign literature. The primary goal of this research is to discern the distinctive features of the representation of Russian culture in three novels: Pawel Huelle's "Castorp" (2004), Hans Pleschinski's "Königsallee" (2013), and William Boyd's "Restless" (2006). The core focus of this study is intertwined with the enduring fascination of literary scholars with the concept of imagology and the scrutiny of how the "Other" or the "Foreign" is depicted within national literary contexts. The analysis of these Polish and German novels reveals that the image of Russia is largely influenced by the prominent German writer Thomas Mann, who serves as a bridge to understanding Russian culture. In William Boyd's case, Russian culture is closely associated with the works of A.P. Chekhov, whose influence significantly shapes the poetics of the British author's novels. The conducted analysis demonstrates that the portrayal of Russia in these novels relies on certain literary clichés and stereotypes that are ingrained in Western public consciousness. However, it is noteworthy that among contemporary writers who incorporate Russia into their works, Huelle, Pleschinski, and Boyd tend to adopt a more balanced perspective, refraining from aligning themselves with the more extreme views of its critics.