BOOK NOTE: A study of Ukrainian Futurism (03/01/98)

BOOK NOTE

A study of Ukrainian Futurism

Ukrainian Futurism, 1914-1930: A Historical and Critical Study by Oleh S. Ilnytzkyj. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute, Harvard Series in Ukrainian Studies, 1997. 430 pp., $35, hardcover; $18 paperback.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The volume "Ukrainian Futurism, 1914-1930: A Historical and Critical Study" by Oleh S. Ilnytzkyj marks the first major monograph in English devoted to this vibrant literary movement.

From its inception just before World War I to its demise during the turmoil of the Soviet 1930s, Ukrainian Futurism remained little studied and much misunderstood up to the late 20th century. Prof. Ilnytzkyj's study of the Futurists and their leader, Mykhail Semenko, addresses this problem.

The study includes histories of Futurism and other major Ukrainian literary movements and analyses of the major figures of the movement and their works, focusing first and foremost on Semenko himself. Color and black-and-white illustrations, as well as special typography, show the important link between the written and visual media. As well, Prof. Ilnytzkyj discusses the interaction of the Futurists with such important film and theater figures as Oleksander Dovzhenko and Les Kurbas.

The study contains analysis and original text (in both Ukrainian and English translation). It is relevant for literary scholars and critics and to all those interested in 20th century Central and East European culture.

"Ukrainian Futurism" won the 1997 Book Prize of the American Association for Ukrainian Studies.

Dr. Ilnytzkyj is professor in the department of modern languages and literatures at the University of Alberta. He received his Ph.D. in Slavic languages and literatures from Harvard University and is the author of numerous works on 20th century Ukrainian literature.

Ukrainian Futurism is available from Harvard University Press, 79 Garden St., Cambridge, MA 02138; telephone 1-800-448-2242; fax, 1-800-962-4983.