Ghostly Paradoxes: Modern Spiritualism and Russian Culture in the Age of Realism

'Vinitsky has skillfully integrated cultural phenomenon and shown how they touched upon the deep questions of faith, the soul and immorality that continued to reverberate among those segments of Russian society and writers, who refused to capitulate to the pressure of materialism. This book will be most welcome by those interested in Russian Realism, cultural studies, and Russian spiritualism.' George Mihaychuk, Canadian Slavonic Papers, vol 52:1-2:2010

'This fascinating study of Russian spiritualism in the second half of the nineteenth century will alter the way we look at the Russian "Realist Period." Neither endorsing nor ridiculing these controversial parlor practices, Ilya Vinitsky demonstrates how they satisfied cultural needs that were compelling, real, and of passionate interest to the greatest writers. His impeccably researched book will be of great value to students of the nineteenth-century novel as well as to scholars of various disciplines studying the Russian late-imperial era.' Caryl Emerson, Slavic Languages and Literatures, Princeton University

Vinitsky's welcome and well crafted study explores the non-realistic "underpinnings" of the Russian Age of realism... Definitely a valuable addition to our understanding of nineteenth-century Russian literature. Janet Tucker, Slavic & East European Journal, vol 54:02:10