This collection of Russian short stories from the 21st century includes works by famous writers and young talents alike, representing a diversity of generational, gender, ethnic and national identities. Most of texts in this volume appear in English for the first time. 21 will appeal to anyone interested in contemporary Russia.

Mark Lipovetsky is Professor of Russian at Columbia University. He is the author of ten monographs and more than a hundred articles. He also coedited more than twenty volumes on various aspects of modern Russian literature and culture, including Charms of the Cynical Reason: The Trickster’s Transformation in Soviet and Post-Soviet Culture (2011), Postmodern Crises: From Lolita to Pussy Riot (2017), 50 Writers: An Anthology of 20th Century Russian Short Stories (coedited with Valentina Brougher and Frank Miller, 2011), and Late and Post-Soviet Russian Literature: A Reader, Volumes I & II (co-edited with Lisa Wakamiya, 2014 & 2015).

“21: Russian Short Prose from the Odd Century gathers together marvelous examples of the diversity and richness of Russian writing in the contemporary moment. Its authors are drawn from distinct generations, live in countries scattered across the globe, and work in a broad range of styles and genres, from more traditional stories to sketches, essays, fairy tales, and ‘the uncategorizable.’ Its editor and crack team of translators have produced excellent, polished English versions. In short, for the general readership, as well as for college and school courses, this book provides a brilliant overview of Russian literature today.” —Kevin M.F. Platt, Edmund J. and Louise W. Kahn Term Professor in the Humanities, University of Pennsylvania