Ivan Bunin
Ivan Alekseyevich Bunin was born on his parental estate in Voronezh province, the third and youngest son of Aleksey Nikolayevich Bunin and Lyudmila Aleksandrovna Bunina. He had two younger sisters named Masha and Nadya, along with two elder brothers Yuly and Yevgeny. Four more children from his mother's side died at an early age. Coming from a long line of Russian nobility, Bunin took pride in poets Anna Bunina and Vasily Zhukovsky being among his ancestors. In 1915 he wrote that the Bunins were direct ancestors of Simeon Bunkovsky, a nobleman who came from Poland to the court of the Great Prince Vasily Vasilyevich. His childhood spent in Butyrky Khutor and later Ozerky was happy because he was surrounded by intelligent and loving people. Father Alexei Nikolayevich was described as a very strong man both physically and mentally, quick-tempered and addicted to gambling. Mother Lyudmila Alexandrovna introduced her son to the world of Russian folklore after spending years in Warsaw where she acquired certain European tastes. Elder brothers Yuly and Yevgeny showed great interest in mathematics and painting respectively yet their mother said Vanya has been different from the moment of birth. Young Bunin's susceptibility and keenness to the nuances of nature were extraordinary. He remembered seeing all seven stars of the Pleiades and hearing a marmot's whistle a verst away. The deep silence of vast fields and huge snowdrifts stepping up to doorsteps filled his childhood with melancholic poetry. By the end of the 1870s the Bunins had lost most of their wealth due to the head of family's gambling habits. In March 1886 Ivan was expelled from public school in Yelets for failing to return after Christmas holidays.
In May 1887 Bunin published his first poem Village Paupers in the Saint Petersburg literary magazine Rodina. His first short story Country Sketch appeared in the Nikolay Mikhaylovsky-edited journal Russkoye Bogatstvo in 1891. Spring 1889 found him following his brother to Kharkiv where he became a government clerk then assistant editor of a local paper. January 1889 brought him to Oryol working on Orlovsky Vestnik newspaper as editorial assistant and later de facto editor. There he met Varvara Pashchenko and fell passionately in love with her. August 1892 saw the couple moving to Poltava and settling in Yuly Bunin's home. Bunin's debut book of poetry Poems 1887, 1891 was published in 1891 in Oryol. Some articles essays and short stories began featuring in Saint Petersburg periodicals. First half of 1894 had him travelling all over Ukraine falling in love with Malorossiya its villages and steppes. In 1895 Bunin visited Russian capital for first time meeting Narodniks Nikolay Mikhaylovsky and Sergey Krivenko plus Anton Chekhov whom he became close friends with. 1899 marked beginning of Bunin's friendship with Maxim Gorky to whom he dedicated Falling Leaves collection of poetry. Leo Tolstoy whom he met in Moscow in January 1894 influenced him greatly though Bunin tried desperately to follow great man's lifestyle too. He was even sentenced to three months in prison for illegally distributing Tolstoyan literature in autumn 1894 but avoided jail due to general amnesty proclaimed on occasion of succession to throne of Nicholas II. At turn of century Bunin made major switch from poetry to prose which started changing both form and texture becoming richer lexicon more compact perfectly poised. Citing Gustave Flaubert whose work he admired as influence Bunin demonstrated that prose could be driven by poetic rhythms yet still remain prose. Finding true rhythm of story was main thing everything else supplementary according to writer himself. In 1900 novella Antonov Apples published later included textbooks regarded as Bunin's first real masterpiece though criticized at time as too nostalgic elitist allegedly idealizing Russian nobleman's past.
In 1910 Bunin published The Village a bleak portrayal of Russian country life depicted full of stupidity brutality violence. This book caused controversy making him famous. Its harsh realism with characters having sunk so far below average level intelligence scarcely human prompted Maxim Gorky calling Bunin best Russian writer day. December 1910 saw Bunin and Muromtseva making another journey Middle East then visiting Ceylon inspiring stories Brothers Tsar of Tsars City. On return Odessa April 1911 Bunin wrote Waters Aplenty travel diary much lauded after publication 1926. Novel Dry Valley came out 1912 his second major piece semi-autobiographical fiction concerning dire state Russian rural community. Again it left literary critics divided social democrats praised stark honesty many others appalled author negativism. Bunin and Muromtseva spent three winters 1912, 1914 with Gorky island Capri meeting Fyodor Shalyapin Leonid Andreev among others. In Russia couple divided time mainly between Moscow Bunin family estate Glotovo village nearby Oryol where they spent first couple years World War I. Dogged anxieties concerning Russia future Bunin still working hard. Winter 1914, 1915 he finished new volume prose verse entitled Chalice of Life published early 1915 wide acclaim including high praise French poet Rene Ghil. Same year saw publication Gentleman from San Francisco arguably best-known Bunin short story translated English D.H.Lawrence. During war years Bunin completed preparation six-volume edition Collected Works published Adolph Marks 1915. Throughout this time Bunin kept aloof contemporary literary debates not belonging any literary school neither decadent symbolist romantic naturalist. By spring 1916 overcome pessimism Bunin all but stopped writing complaining nephew N.A.Pusheshnikov how insignificant felt unable do more than be horrified millions deaths caused War.
On the 28th of March 1920 after short stints Sofia Belgrade Bunin and Muromtseva arrived Paris dividing time apartments 1 rue Jacques Offenbach 16th arrondissement Paris rented villas near Grasse Alpes Maritimes. Much hated Bolshevism Bunin never endorsed idea foreign intervention Russia common Russian countryman sort out problems himself not foreign masters maintain new order home. It's for a common Russian countryman to sort out his problems for himself not for foreign masters to come and maintain their new order in our home he once said allegedly Merezhkovsky who still cherished hopes Pilsudsky military success against Bolshevik regime. Slowly painfully overcoming physical mental stress Bunin returned usual mode writing. Scream first book published France compiled short stories written 1911, 1912 years referred happiest life. In France Bunin published many pre-revolutionary works collections original novellas regularly contributing Russian emigre press. According Vera Muromtseva husband often complained inability get used life new world belonged old world that Goncharov Tolstoy Moscow Saint Petersburg where muse lost never found again. Yet new prose marked obvious artistic progress Mitya Love Sunstroke Cornet Yelagin Case especially Life Arseniev written 1927, 1929 published 1930, 1933 praised critics bringing Russian literature new heights. Konstantin Paustovsky called Life Arseniev apex whole Russian prose one most striking phenomena world literature. In 1924 published Manifesto Russian Emigration declaring there was Russia inhabited mighty family created blessed work countless generations what done them paid deposal ruler destruction literally whole home unheard fratricide bastard moral idiot birth Lenin presented World height activities something monstrous staggering discorded largest country Earth killed millions people broad daylight disputed benefactor mankind not. In 1925, 1926 Cursed Days diary years 1918, 1920 started appearing Paris-based Vozrozhdenye newspaper final version published Petropolis 1936. One very few anti-Bolshevik diaries preserved time Russian Revolution civil war linked Russian anti-utopian writing nineteenth century counterpart twentieth heralded anti-utopian writing George Orwell Aldous Huxley Bunin Zamyatin correctly understood Soviet experiment destined self destruct according scholar Thomas Gaiton Marullo.
As World War II broke out Bunin's friends New York anxious help Nobel laureate get France issued officially-endorsed invitations travel US received Nansen passports enabling trip couple chose remain Grasse spent war years Villa Jeanette high mountains. Two young writers became long-term residents household Leonid Zurov arrived visit Latvia late 1929 remained lives Nikolai Roshchin returned Soviet Union after war. Members small commune occasionally joined Galina Kuznetsova Margarita Stepun bent survival grew vegetables greens helping one another time when according Zurov Grasse population eaten cats dogs. Journalist visited Villa 1942 described Bunin skinny emaciated man looking ancient patrician. For Bunin though isolation blessing refused re-locate Paris conditions might better takes 30 minutes climbing reach villa not another view whole world facing wrote Freezing cold damning making impossible write complained one letters Vera Muromtseva-Bunina remembered five six us all writing continuously only way bear unbearable overcome hunger cold fear. Ivan Bunin staunch anti-Nazi referring Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini rabid monkeys. Risked life sheltering fugitives including Jews pianist A.Liebermann wife house Grasse Vichy occupied Germans. According Zurov Bunin invited some Soviet war prisoners straight Gatchina worked occupied Grasse home heavily guarded German forces headquarters away from home. Atmosphere neighbourhood though not deadly judging Bunin diary entry the 1st of August 1944 nearby two guards also one German one Russian prisoner Kolesnikov student three talked bit Saying farewells German guard shook hand firmly. Under occupation Bunin never ceased writing published single word receiving offers contribute newspapers unoccupied Switzerland declined. Somebody visited once guest proved agent proposed literary work again Ivan Alekseyevich refused. the 24th of September 1944 Bunin wrote Nikolai Roshchin Thank God Germans fled Grasse without fight August 23 early morning 24th Americans came going town souls beyond description For all hunger glad spent War years South sharing life difficulties managed even help some Vera Muromtseva-Bunina later wrote.
Bunin's first love Varvara Pashchenko classmate Yelets daughter doctor actress fell 1889 went work Oryol 1892 relationship difficult many ways girl father detested union impecunious circumstances Varvara herself unsure marry Bunin too uncertain marriage really appropriate couple moved Poltava settled Yuly Bunin home relations deteriorated 1892 Pashchenko complaining letter Yuly serious quarrels frequent begging assistance bringing union end affair eventually ended 1894 marrying actor writer A.N.Bibikov Ivan Bunin close friend felt betrayed time family feared possibility committing suicide according sources Varvara Pashchenko many years later appear name Lika Life Arseniev chapter V book entitled Lika also published short story Scholar Tatyana Alexandrova questioned identification suggesting Mirra Lokhvitskaya might major prototype Vera Muromtseva thought Lika collective character aggregating writer reminiscences several women knew youth. Summer 1898 while staying writer A.M.Fedorov Bunin acquainted N.P.Tsakni Greek social-democrat activist publisher editor Odessa newspaper Yuzhnoe Obozrenie Southern Review invited contribute paper virtually daily visitor Tsakni family dacha fell love latter 18-year-old daughter Anna born 1879 died 1963 the 23rd of September 1898 two married by 1899 signs alienation obvious acrimonious separation March 1900 Anna pregnant gave birth son Nikolai Odessa August 30 same year boy father saw little died the 16th of January 1905 combination scarlet fever measles heart complications. Second wife Vera Muromtseva niece high-ranking politician Sergey Muromtsev initially introduced each other writer Ekaterina Lopatina years earlier encounter house writer Boris Zaitsev November 1906 led intense relationship resulted couple inseparable until Bunin death officially married 1922 managed divorce Tsakni legally decades later Vera Muromtseva-Bunina famous own right book Life Bunin.
Ivan Bunin made history first Russian writer receive Nobel Prize Literature immediate basis award autobiographical novel Life Arseniev legacy much wider scope regarded master short story described scholar Oleg Mikhaylov archaist innovator remaining true literary tradition nineteenth century made huge leaps terms artistic expression purity style Style heralds historical precedent technical precision instrument bringing out beauty sharpened extreme hardly another poet dozens pages fail produce single epithet analogy metaphor ability perform such simplification poetic language doing harm sign true artist When comes artistic precision Bunin rivals among Russian poets wrote Vestnik Evropy. Early stories uneven quality united earthiness lack plot signs curious longing life farthest horizons young Bunin started career trying approach ancient dilemmas human being characters typically old men common leitmotif nature's beauty wisdom bitterly contrasting humanity ugly shallowness As progressed received encouraging reviews Anton Chekhov warmly greeted first stories found too density them Gorky gave prose highest praise till end life rated Bunin among Russian literature greatest writers recommended prose younger generations examples true unwithering classicism. As poet started follower Ivan Nikitin Aleksey Koltsov then gravitated Yakov Polonsky Afanasy Fet school latter impressionism marked influence theme Bunin early works seemed demise traditional Russian nobleman past something simultaneously gravitated toward felt averted from 1900s gave introspective philosophical style akin Fyodor Tyutchev poetic cosmology All while remained hostile modernism darker side decadence Mikhaylov saw torch-bearer Aleksander Pushkin tradition praising naked simplicity charms. Symbolist flights imagination grotesque passions foreign Bunin made nature field artistic research carved art perfection Few people capable loving nature Bunin does love makes scope wide vision deep colour aural impressions rich wrote Aleksander Blok poet literary camp Bunin treated hostile Books poetry notable Falling Leaves 1901 poetic translations became three time Pushkin Prize laureate Verse praised Aleksander Kuprin Blok regarded Bunin among first hierarchy Russian poets One great admirer Vladimir Nabokov compared him Blok even making scornful remarks about prose. Wholesomeness character allowed avoid crises become virtually only author first decades twentieth century develop gradually logically Bunin only one remains true himself Gorky wrote letter Chirikov 1907 Yet outsider contemporary trends literary movements never truly famous Russia Becoming Academician 1909 alienated more critics majority Academy decision expel Gorky several years earlier disgrace Closest came fame 1911, 1912 Village Dry Valley came out former sketched sharp cruelty most striking lines Russian soul light dark sides often tragic foundations caused passionate occasionally very hostile reactions Nobody drawn village such deep historical context before Maxim Gorky wrote uncompromising book impossible continue painting Russian peasantry life idealized narodnik-style way Bunin single-handedly closed long chapter Russian literature maintained truly classic traditions realism Russian literature very time gravest danger under attack modernists decadents far traditional many ways introducing completely new set characters quite novel laconic way saying things.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When was Ivan Bunin born and where did he spend his childhood?
Ivan Alekseyevich Bunin was born on the 2nd of May 1870 in Voronezh province. He spent his childhood at Butyrky Khutor and later Ozerky surrounded by intelligent and loving people.
What major literary works did Ivan Bunin publish during World War I?
During World War I Ivan Bunin published Chalice of Life early in 1915 and Gentleman from San Francisco which became arguably his best-known short story. He also completed preparation for a six-volume edition of Collected Works published by Adolph Marks in 1915.
Where did Ivan Bunin live during World War II and how did he survive there?
Ivan Bunin lived at Villa Jeanette near Grasse in the Alpes Maritimes region of France during World War II. He survived the war years with Vera Muromtseva-Bunina and other residents by growing vegetables and sheltering fugitives including Jews while refusing to relocate to Paris.
Who were the wives of Ivan Bunin and when did they marry him?
Ivan Bunin married Anna Tsakni on the 23rd of September 1898 and later officially married Vera Muromtseva on the 1st of January 1922 after managing to divorce Tsakni legally decades later. His first love Varvara Pashchenko was never his wife as their relationship ended in 1894.
When did Ivan Bunin win the Nobel Prize in Literature and for what work?
Ivan Bunin won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1933 based immediately on his autobiographical novel Life Arseniev which had been published between 1927 and 1930. This award made him the first Russian writer to receive the prize.