Skaz: Masters of Russian Storytelling

Book excerpt: Skaz—from the Russian skazat, "to tell"—is a unique narrative form with prominent oral, storytelling qualities. Standing in sharp contrast to well-known monumental works of Russian fiction, skaz nevertheless allows creative, insightful explorations of countless settings and topics ranging from irreverent to tragic, from quotidian to magical. This dual-language anthology, which includes stories by Babel, Chekhov, Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, Zoschchenko, and many other skaz masters, incorporates the Russian text side-by-side with the English translation. Ideal for students of Russian and heritage speakers, this volume represents a snapshot of the evolution of skaz throughout the Tsarist and Soviet eras, and promises a captivating read to any admirer of Russian culture, literature, or history. Includes introduction, author biographical sketches, annotations, and discussion questions.