A prominent figure of the İkinci Yeni poetry movement, this author developed a distinctive world of imagery and a stark, unadorned style. His poems often weave profound sorrow and human tragedy with sharp irony, later incorporating a strong social conscience from the 1970s onwards. Initially known for a more closed poetic approach, his work evolved to sensitively address societal issues without compromising artistic depth. Beyond his acclaimed verse, he also made significant contributions as a prolific translator of international literature.
In five linked episodes, Lermontov builds up the portrait of a man caught up in and expressing the sickness of his times. A marvelous novel and an early landmark in Russian literature, A Hero of Our Time served as an inspiration for many later Russian authors, including Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky.