Aleksandr Kuprin

::This article is about the writer. For the painter, see Alexander V. Kuprin.

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Aleksandr Ivanovich Kuprin (????????? ???????? ??????, September 7, 1870 in the Penza Oblast - August 25, 1938 in Leningrad) was a Russian writer, pilot, explorer and adventurer whose best known novellas include Olesya (1898), The Duel (1905), Junior Captain Rybnikov (1906), Emerald (1907), and The Garnet Bracelet (1911). Vladimir Nabokov styled him Russian Kipling for his stories about pathetic adventure-seekers.

Related Topics:
September 7 - 1870 - Penza Oblast - August 25 - 1938 - Leningrad - Russian - Vladimir Nabokov - Kipling

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A son of Tatar princess, he tried many jobs in his life, working as an officer, circus performer, church singer, doctor, hunter, fisher, etc. His early short stories, including several on horses and other animals, seethe with love of life in all its manifestations. Kuprin's popularity spread quickly after Leo Tolstoy had acclaimed him as a true successor to Chekhov. The spy story Junior Captain Rybnikov (1906) has been called the pinnacle of his art. Subsequently he paid less and less interest to literature, sharing his time between pubs and brothels. His novel about the life of prostitutes, The Pit (1915), was accused by Russian critics of excessive Naturalism.

Related Topics:
Leo Tolstoy - Chekhov - Naturalism

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After the Russian Revolution Kuprin emigrated to France, but eventually returned to Moscow on May 31 1937, just a year before his death. His return paved the way for publication of his works within Soviet Union. Kuprin is interred next to his fellow writers at the Volkovo Cemetery of Leningrad.

Related Topics:
Russian Revolution - France - Moscow - May 31 - 1937 - Soviet Union - Volkovo Cemetery - Leningrad

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