Viktor Borisovich Shklovsky (1893 – 1984) – Influential Russian and Soviet novelist, literary theorist, literary critic and film critic. Shklovsky developed theories and techniques within the movement known as Russian Formalism. If you are unfamiliar with the author, this little book of interviews, Witness to an Era, is an excellent place to start. Scholar Serena Vitale is the interviewer and throughout Viktor Shklovsky reflects on his past, his views of leading Russian authors and his thinking on various topics within the world of art and literature. To share a glimpse of what a reader will encounter, below are a number of direct Shklovsky quotes along with my comments:

“Art derives from the fact that man is marked by contradictions. And in art these contradictions can be resolved more or less favorably, but completely favorably – that’s impossible.” ---------- If anybody is looking for easy answers, they should keep away from art, especially the novel. In a classic novel there is NEVER an easy division between good and evil or right and wrong. It is no accident fundamentalist religion or political dogmatism do not mix well with art and literature.

“The end of Resurrection: the story of Nekhlyudov’s transformation also contains another novel. But that novel was not written. That’s why I say that there are novels with an ending.” ---------- How true, Viktor! “They lived happily ever after” is restricted to fairy tales. When I finish a novel I am nearly always left wondering what will unfold for the characters in the future. Will Nick Dormer remain faithful to his calling as a portrait painter (The Tragic Muse by Henry James)? Will Helene Bang remain in America or return to Denmark (One Fat Englishman by Kingsley Amis)? What happens to Gillette (The Unknown Masterpiece by Honoré de Balzac)? A great novel or tale creates characters that live beyond the last page.

“The conclusion, in the novel, is a cloying additive. It only appears to conclude things.” ---------- I agree. I am not a fan of a novel with an epilogue or afterwards, informing the reader in capsulized form what happens to all the novel’s characters in the years to come. Or when a novelist feels compelled to end with a grand finale. Case in point: Amsterdam by Ian McIewen is a fine novel spoiled by an ending that is both forced and unnatural. Why can’t novelists, including many first-rate novelists, learn a lesson from the Japanese: a novel ending with subtlety and delicacy, restraint and understatement can enhance the entire work.

“I can’t remember anyone – not even Gorky himself, early on, not to mention Mayakovsky, or Blok – I don’t remember any of them ever having secretaries. These new forms of social interaction, in my opinion, are negative.” ------------------ Particularly in our age of computer, where exchanges of correspondence are so simple and direct, I can't see any reason for a literary writer to employ a secretary. Same thing goes for writing a novel or play or essay - much preferable to write the work yourself, from beginning to end.

“I’ve never kept a diary, and I regret it, because, as Pushkin said, the flow of the pen halts at the word that will be red with indifference, with coldness. Everyone who writes a diary always makes himself seem smarter than he is.” ---------- I'm all for keeping a diary. There are many advantages, including how a daily practice of writing will hone your skill as a writer. Curiously, in many ways, writing book reviews regularly is a close cousin to keeping a diary - an excellent way to track your progress as a writer, both in terms of depth of insight and ability to communicate clearly and elegantly.

“Ah, if only people understood that the birth of poetry is itself poetry.” ---------- I enjoy how Shklovsky places the emphasis on the initial inspiration and imaginative flare. If you are a poet, please take Viktor's words to heart: keep writing your poetry and try not to pass harsh judgement on your poems.

“One needn’t be afraid of technology. At one time people were afraid of trains, they thought that the rail traffic was going to cause horrible catastrophes. But people ought to love the future.” ------------------- Words of wisdom coming from a man who lived through much of the turbulence and violence in the 20th century.

“When Tolstoy was alive, with all the respect everyone had for him, they would make up to two thousand edits in one book. And the editor was certainly no idiot. The fact is that Tolstoy wrote in the language of the future, in the language to come. Whereas the editor wasn’t even writing in the language of the present, but the language of the past.” ---------- Ha! A literary artist's vision transcends the boundaries of society and its limitations, including the limitations placed on language.


“You have to store up books, becoming acquainted with human experience; let them lie around your thoughts, becoming yours—ring upon ring, as a tree grows, let them rise up from the depths like coral islands. If it gets crowded with all the books and there's nowhere to put your bed, it's better to exchange it for a folding bed”
― Victor Shklovsky ( )