Dmitry Bykov. Bulat Okudzhava. ZhZL series

For generations of readers and listeners, the name Bulat Okudzhava (1924-1997) has become synonymous with the concepts of "intelligence," "nobility," and "dignity." The apparent simplicity of his poems and songs allowed everyone to relate to them, imbuing them with personal biographical circumstances. Meanwhile, Okudzhava's own biography fully reflects the Russian 20th century—the arrest of his parents, the war, the explosive popularity of the Thaw, his semi-official recognition, and the tragic disappointments of his later years. Interest in Okudzhava's life and work remains enormous, but this is the first full biography of him to be published. Its author, renowned writer and publicist Dmitry Bykov, places his subject within the broad context of Russian literature and public life, seeing in him the embodiment of the phenomenon of the Russian intelligentsia, with all its strengths and weaknesses, achievements and mistakes. The book is based on oral and written memoirs of Bulat Shalvovich himself, his family and friends, includes a detailed analysis of many of his works, and is supplemented with rare photographs.