Remembering Boris Dubin again

In the Triv-Hunger No. 280 of June 4, 2019 [ 1 ] I wrote about the book of Boris Vladimirovich Dubin “On People and Books”. The author left us in August 2014, but even five years later, who knew him were not ready to put up with this loss ...

Probably not everything written by Dubin, I read - if we keep in mind his numerous articles and performances. But, as it turned out, besides the books I have repeatedly read, there is an unknown book of Dubin - besides very unusual.

This book is entitled “Space in other words” with the subtitle “French poets of the twentieth century about the image in art” (St. Petersburg, 2005). This is a collection of statements by modern French poets, which is suggested by a brief (six pages) preface of the club: "Speaking figuratively: French poets about a picturesque image."

About what exactly the contribution of Boris Vladimirovich to this elegantly published book is reported in the weekend: “Comp., Per., Note. And the foreword. " I can’t resist, so as not to add here the last phrase of the publishing resume: “The publication is inventively illustrated” (italics mine.-R.F. ), which, in my opinion, should be read: “The publication is made with genuine grace.”

With genuine grace , the mentioned above the preface B.V. to the book, as well as its notes placed in the fields, is also written. All this creates an important context for the main body of texts. Thus, the reader has the integrity of the problem, and the discussion acquires a gathering point.

It seems to me that essays are the most difficult genre for both translation and retelling. Dubin wrote his essays overly - moreover, "with the last directness." That is why his texts require certain efforts from the reader - the author’s thought is compressed as a spring. According to the worldview, B.V. was, of course, the enlightener - in the entirety of the fullness of the meanings of the word, behind which is our rich and tragic history.

Remember, we read, store ...

Rebekah Frumkin