Howard Colyer Bücher

This is a title in the Bristol Classical Press Russian Texts series, in Russian with English notes, vocabulary and introduction. Mikhail Bulgakov (1891-1940) is well-known for his novel, "The Master and Margarita", published posthumously in the 1970s. In his own life he was best known as a playwright, with plays running at several of the leading theatres in Moscow during the 1920s and 1930s. "Flight" takes as its subject the defeated Whites as they flee the Reds and emigrate to Constantinople and Paris. The play was too politically controversial to be staged in Bulgakov's lifetime. Couched in the form of eight "dreams" rather than conventional scenes, it hovers between tragedy and comedy.

Lucius Annaeus Seneca: Agamemnon Entstanden zwischen 41 und 64 n. Chr. Der Text folgt der Übersetzung von Wenzel Alois Swoboda. Vollständige Neuausgabe. Herausgegeben von Karl-Maria Guth. Berlin 2015. Umschlaggestaltung von Thomas Schultz-Overhage unter Verwendung des Bildes: Louis Jean Desprez, The Funeral Procession of Agamemnon, 1787. Gesetzt aus Minion Pro, 11 pt.

1836 in Sankt Petersburg uraufgeführt, ist Gogols »Revisor« die erste russische Gesellschaftskomödie. Die in Form einer Verwechslungskomödie gekleidete Satire über Korruption und Ämtermissbrauch wurde von der Kritik zunächst zwiespältig aufgenommen. In der zweiten Hälfte des 19. Jahrhunderts avancierte Gogol mit seinem zunehmend erfolgreichen Stück zum Klassiker. »Im ›Revisor‹ beschloss ich, alles Schlechte, das ich nur kannte, zusammenzutragen und mit einem Schlag dem Gelächter preiszugeben.« Nikolaj Gogol

Der Stoff vom »falschen Demetrius«, der sich als russischer Thronfolger ausgab, 1605 nach dem Tod des Zaren Boris Godunow in Moskau einzog und dort gekrönt wurde, regte schon Schiller zu einem Drama an. Puschkin gestaltete ihn in seinem Schauspiel Boris Godunow (1825) aus dem Geist und im Stil Shakespearescher history plays zu einer mitreißenden Szenenfolge über die Verlockung der Macht, über Ohnmacht und Wankelmut des Volkes. Nach dem Text von Puschkin schrieb Mussorgskij 1868-71 seine gleichnamige Oper.

Georg Büchner: Woyzeck; Kombinierte Werkfassung – Georg Büchner: Woyzeck; Die Entstehungsstufen; Vollständiger Textbestand – Anhang; Quellen – Kommentar von Henri Poschmann

The story follows Dennis Oldshaw, who has left his mundane office job to pursue his passion for painting. However, his newfound freedom is overshadowed by a looming fear for his life. As he grapples with this anxiety, he reflects on a pivotal day from his past that he believes shaped his identity and choices. The narrative explores themes of self-discovery and the impact of past experiences on present circumstances.

Set in a haunting interrogation environment, the play revolves around a man grappling with the disappearance of his wife and his own lost identity. The atmosphere is thick with mystery, as he confronts sinister figures reminiscent of the Weird Sisters. Critics praise its nightmarish intensity and spellbinding delivery, highlighting themes of guilt and mental turmoil. The play's unique blend of ghostly elements and psychological depth captivates audiences, making it a compelling exploration of memory and conscience.

Exploring themes of guilt and redemption, the story follows an Englishman who ambiguously kills someone and faces no legal consequences. Overcome with remorse, he resigns from his job, sells his flat, and leaves his fiancée behind. His journey takes him through Italy in search of a former girlfriend, ultimately leading him to a village in the far north-west of Sicily, where he rents a house and begins to write about his life, reflecting on his past and the choices that brought him there.

This unique autobiography unfolds through a series of haikus, capturing moments of life in three concise lines each day. The fragmented format offers a poetic glimpse into the author's experiences, emotions, and reflections, inviting readers to engage with the essence of daily life in an artistic way. The diary format allows for a personal and introspective journey, showcasing the beauty of simplicity and the power of brevity in storytelling.