Death comes in many guises in the two mystery/suspense novels we review in this issue.

If you’re a fan of hairy fairy folk with a hint of пошлость (crass banality), look no further! Russia’s Channel Five recently published two episodes of a supposedly “lost” television show based on “The Lord of the Rings” that was filmed in 1991.

In the Soviet period, artists were treated with esteem and lived comfortably, but their privileged position also required sacrifice.

A review of a new collection of Leskov's stories, and a new translation of Sollogub.

Nikolai Semyonovich Leskov holds a somewhat odd place in Russian literature. He is at once a famous writer, a recognized classic, yet he has not won the same honors granted to the “first tier” writers.

On the 110th anniversary of Lev Tolstoy's death, we look back at his link to cinema: Tolstoy is more closely linked to the history of the cinema than any other writer of his time.

News from around Russia, on everything from bicycles to Bunin, from mystery graves to trolleybuses.

On this, the 300th anniversary of one of literature’s most famous fabulists, we look back at some of Russia’s greatest liars and taletellers.

In which we review Dina Rubina's Leonardo's Handwriting, and the nonfiction book, The Pianos of Siberia.

Catherine I finds herself at a turning point upon the death of her husband, Peter the Great.

A well-known musician posted a poem in response to the sentencing of his friend, the actor Mikhail Yefremov.

This week, Lukashenko turns action hero; chocolate is serious business; and a classic Russian author is proven to be right all along.