Kuprin Aleksandr Ivanovich
Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin is a Russian writer of the Silver Age, novelist, playwright and translator, a representative of realism and naturalism.
Biography
Early years and education:
Born on August 26 [September 7], 1870 in Narovchat (Penza province) in the family of a noble official Ivan Ivanovich Kuprin and Lyubov Alekseevna Kulunchakova (from the family of Tatar princes).
After his father's death in 1871, the family moved to Moscow.
He received his primary education at the Moscow Razumovsky School (graduated in 1880).
He studied at the Second Moscow Military Gymnasium, then at the Alexander Military College (graduated in 1887). The army experience later formed the basis of a number of works.
Literary activity:
He made his debut with the short story "The Last Debut" (1889) in the "Russian Satirical Leaflet" under the pseudonym A. Krin. He was punished with a punishment cell for publishing it.
In the 1890s, he published a collection of essays "Kiev Types" (1896), the novella "Moloch" (1896), the short story "The Wilderness of the Forest", the novellas "Olesya" (1898) and "Kat" ("Army Ensign") (1897).
In 1900, the novel "At the Turning Point (Cadets)" was published, an autobiographical work about cadet youth.
Creativity flourished at the beginning of the 20th century. During this period, the following were written:
"The Duel" (1905) is a novel criticizing the army system; it caused a wide response.
"Sulamith" (1908).
"The Garnet Bracelet" (1911) is a story about sublime love.
The cycle of essays "Listrigony" (1907-1911).
The story "Elephant" (1907).
The story "The Pit" (1915) is a work that has caused controversy because of the naturalism in the description of the life of prostitutes.
Winner of the Pushkin Prize (1909).
Emigration and return:
In 1919, he left Russia due to disagreement with the policy of war communism. He lived in Finland, then in France (1920-1937).
In exile, he experienced a creative crisis and financial difficulties. He wrote the novels "The Wheel of Time" and "Janet", which did not reach the level of his pre-revolutionary works.
He returned to the USSR in 1937 with the support of the Soviet government. The writer's health was undermined, he suffered from esophageal cancer.
Death:
He died on August 25, 1938 in Leningrad. He was buried on the Literary bridges of the Volkovsky cemetery next to Turgenev's grave.
Creative heritage
Main works:
Novels: "Olesya", "Duel", "Sulamith", "Garnet Bracelet", "Pit", "Wheel of Time", "Janeta".
Short stories: "Elephant", "Overnight stay", "Night shift", "Hike".
Essays: "Listrigony", "Kiev types".
Novel: "Junker" (autobiographical).
Features of creativity: Realism with elements of naturalism.
An in-depth study of human psychology, especially in the themes of love and social injustice.
Autobiographical character of many works (army youth, life trials).
Vivid description of nature and everyday life, attention to detail.
Influence and memory
Kuprin's works have been filmed more than 30 times ("Garnet Bracelet", "Duel", etc.).
Musical works based on his works have been created: opera "Duel", ballet "Olesya", romances.
Kuprin's museums have been opened in Narovchat (since 1981) and Gatchina (where he lived in 1911-1919).
Named after Kuprin:
The asteroid (3618) Kuprin (discovered in 1979) is named after Kuprin.;
prospect in Moscow (2020);
The library in Balaklava (1994).
The Kuprin Literary Competition is held annually (organized by the Writers' Union of the Republic of Crimea).
In 2014, the television series Kuprin was filmed (directed by Vlad Furman, Andrey Eshpai, and others).
Interesting facts
He possessed great physical strength: He could bend a coin or break a poker.
I've tried many professions: He was a reporter, manager, psalmist, actor, worked in a blacksmith shop, unloaded watermelons, etc.
He was friends with Maxim Gorky, who influenced the social orientation of his work.
He loved the Russian bathhouse, gypsy songs and table conversations.