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Abstract. Vera Serdechnaia’s book “William Blake in Russian Culture (1834–2020)” (Moscow, 2021) is the first systematic study of the reception of the work of the English poet William Blake in Russian literature and culture. Chronologically consistent study of the relationship between the facts of the appearance of Russian translations, critical responses, biographical information about Blake in the Russian space is complemented by reflections on aesthetic and ideological filters that create the phenomenon of the poet as a result of his new cultural development, reinterpretation, inclusion in the creative dialogue. The evidence of Blake’s influence on the cultural landscape of Russia (including the Soviet and post-Soviet stages) is considered in the monograph and covers a significant array of translations, ego documents, anthologies, artistic and documentary facts. At the same time, various evidences of the influence of Western reading traditions on Blake’s Russian reception in literature, intellectual culture and creativity in general (poetry, graphics, ballet, etc.) are also introduced. The main focus of the research is the restoration of the complete history of Blake’s translations into Russian, accompanied by comments about the traditions of Blake’s study in the West, the appearance of the first biographical essays, and research papers in Russia. The book is of interest for the analysis of Blake’s direct influence on the work of poets of different generations.
Keywords: William Blake, English Romanticism, reception, history of translation, history of Blake’s publications, influence of the English tradition.