This book explores a new approach to the study of writing, through the concept of the 'graphosphere'. It presents a comprehensive interpretative guide to forms of writing in Russia across four centuries, and a test case for comparative study of graphospheres elsewhere.
Simon Franklin Book order (chronological)
Simon Franklin is Professor of Slavonic Studies at the University of Cambridge, UK, and a Fellow of Clare College. His work delves deeply into Russian history and culture, exploring its rich complexities. Franklin's academic contributions are recognized for their significant achievements in the field.
The Emergence of Rus 750-1200
- 472 pages
- 17 hours of reading
Focusing on the development of a political, economic, and social nexus among the diverse inhabitants between the Carpathians and Urals, this volume reveals the historical roots of modern Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The authors delve into life in Rus, highlighting the rise of Kiev as a political center, the advent of Christianity, and regional prosperity amidst shifting power dynamics. Despite its fractured and tumultuous nature, the narrative showcases a story of growth and achievement, offering a comprehensive synthesis of post-Soviet historiography.
The Master and Margarita
- 432 pages
- 16 hours of reading
One hot spring, the devil arrives in Moscow, Accompanied by a retinue that includes a beautiful naked witch and an immense talking black cat with a fondness of chess and vodka. The visitors quickly wreak havoc in a city that refuses to believe in either God or Satan. But they also bring peace to two unhappy Muscovites: one is the master, a writer pilloried for daring to write a novel about Christ and Pontius Pilate; the other is Margairta, who loves the Master so deeply that she is willing to go to hell for him. What ensues is a novel of inexhaustible energy, humor, and philisophical depth, a work whose nuances emerge for the first time in Hugh Aplin's English version.