Fedor Aleksandrovich Abramov
Fedor Aleksandrovich Abramov was a notable Russian author, literary critic, and academic whose works emerged prominently in the twentieth century. Born in a peasant village in northern Russia, Abramov's early life experiences deeply influenced his writing, particularly his commitment to portraying the realistic struggles of the rural poor. He studied at Leningrad State University and served in the military before returning to his studies, eventually becoming a prominent voice in Russian literature. Abramov was known for challenging the idealized depictions of village life prevalent during his time, particularly under the repressive political climate of the Stalin era.
He was a co-founder of the country prose movement, which sought to reflect the authentic experiences of rural communities. His most acclaimed work, the multi-volume epic novel "Pryasliny" (The Priaslins), explores the resilience of individuals during World War II and has reached a global audience through translations into thirty languages. In addition to this, his novel "Bratya i syostri" (Brothers and Sisters) was adapted for the stage, highlighting his influence on Russian theater. Abramov passed away from surgical complications in the later half of the twentieth century, leaving behind several unfinished works that continue to resonate with readers and scholars of Russian literature.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Fedor Aleksandrovich Abramov
Novelist
- Born: February 29, 1920
- Birthplace: Verkola, Russia, U.S.S.R.
- Died: May 14, 1983
- Place of death: Leningrad, U.S.S.R. (now St. Petersburg, Russia)
Biography
Fedor Aleksandrovich Abramov, renown as a twentieth century author, literary critic, and academic, was born Fyodor Aleksandrovich Abramov in a peasant village in the forests of northern Russia. The setting of his birth and childhood and the stories told there inspired his works and their purpose. Abramov studied at Leningrad State University, leaving school to serve in the military, but returning while still a young man.
Abramov was so bold as to challenge idealistic portrayal of village life by then-current literature and to champion the realistic struggle of the rural poor, an act that could lead to a death sentence in the Stalin era as an attack on the enforced communist society. When he began writing, his work so well reflected the folk nature of the people in the Russian territories that many people thought he must have been native to their specific area.
Abramov was one of the founders of the country prose movement. Much of the Russian theater community considered his works desirable for the stage. One of his works, the novel Bratya i syostri (brothers and sisters), was adapted for stage. He is best known for Pryasliny (the Priaslins), a multi-volume epic novel that addresses how the average man, both Russian and all other nationalities of the former Soviet Union, made it through WWII. The work has been translated into thirty languages. He is also known for novellas and short stories. At his death, he had many unfinished pieces of work. He died in the later half of the twentieth century from surgical complications.