An Anthology of Russian Folk Epics

These translations of 30 tales-many of which appear in English for the first time-offer fascinating glimpses into Russian history and culture. While some of the characters may be familiar through recent picture-book retellings, most will be new to readers. Bailey is a respected American scholar of Russian folklore, and Ivanova is a Russian folklorist specializing in epics. In addition to translating the selections, they have written a rich, ongoing commentary on the tradition of the Russian oral epic; they also include a glossary and extensive bibliography. Unfortunately, the illustrations are limited to a handful of black-and-white historical maps and renderings of influential people. Although this volume may have its widest use as a tool for scholarly study, it fills a void in Russian folklore, which has existed for far too long.