title: Rapture: A Novel (Russian Library)
author: Iliazd
description: A fast-paced, mordantly funny yarn that borrows from (and subverts) the adventure genre. . . . while this novel has taken a long time to find a new audience, theres nothing musty about Thomas J. Kitsons excellent translation, which makes the prose of the book seem fresh. (Nick Holdstock <i>Open Letters Monthly</i>)<br /><br /><i>Rapture</i> is both traditional regional adventure taleadapted for and reflecting its timesand experimental fiction, Iliazd taking liberties with story, style, and language. In upendingin a variety of ways, no lessreaders' expectations, Iliazd's variation on this kind of tale offers very different satisfactions. A vivid, often comic, and always harsh story it veers between exciting pulp and much more ambitious mythifying near-poetry; it's also almost surprisingly accessibleand a fun, if twisted, read. (M.A. Orthofer <i>The Complete Review</i>)<br /><br />Iliazds (birth name Ilia Zdanevich) rediscovered and newly translated work is a gem. . . . There are many levels and layers in this remarkable, short novel. And all of them deserve a close look. (Paul E. Richardson <i>Russian Life</i>)<br /><br />Thomas J. Kitson has come up with a fascinating translation of Iliazds first novel, <i>Rapture</i>, an eccentric volume that will hopefully bring some welcome attention to this obscure literary figure. (Lucas Spiro <i>The Arts Fuse</i>)<br /><br />The interweaving themes and overlapping plotlines are rich with folklore, allegory, and autobiography, to which Kitsons expansive essay is an erudite, insightful guide. He identifies mythic and literary sources that Iliazd pillaged (from the Bible through Ovid to Dostoevsky and Jarry), summarizes the still meager critical literature in Russian, and comments on details of the text that only a translator could elucidate. The translation reads fluently, and the cover design, by Roberto de Vicq de Cumptich, is top notch. (M. Kasper <i>Rain Taxi Review</i>)<br /><br />Although futuristic in its style (from abandoning punctuation to including unprintable words), the novels pagan narrative has the same hypnotizing effect on the reader as Stravinsky's<i> Rite of Spring</i>. Kitson does not put a foot wrong, in a translation so accurate and sensitive that it is unlikely to be superseded. (<i>2018 Read Russia Prize, special mention, jury remarks</i>)<br /><br />American Slavists should be grateful to Kitson and to the Russian Library series of Columbia University Press for bringing this novel to light in English. (Elizabeth Klosty Beaujour <i>Slavic and East European Journal</i>)<br /><br />A provocative, often parodic, synthesis of currents in Russian and European literature of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. . . . In brief, the publication of this novel in such a handy, well-executed form is welcome as an important addition to twentieth century Russian literature in English. (Jeff Love <i>The Russian Review</i>)<br /><br />Translator Kitson provides an excellent introduction which discusses Iliazds life, as well as putting this book into the context of his times and surroundings, whilst discussing its deeper meanings. . . . [<i>Rapture</i>] is an adventurous, experimental and thought-provoking novel which most definitely deserves more attention than its received over the years. (Karen Langley <i>Shiny New Books</i>)<br /><br />Magical... like a wizard's spell. (Aleksandr Goldshtein <i>Nezavisimaia Gazeta</i>)
zlib_text:   
  The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Seven who were Hanged, by Leonid Andreyev  
    
  This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with  
  almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or  
  re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included  
  with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org  
    
    
  Title: The Seven who were Hanged  
    
  Author: Leonid Andreyev  
    
  Release Date: June 1, 2009 [EBook #6722]  
  Last Updated: September 15, 2019  
    
  Language: English  
    
    
  *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SEVEN WHO WERE HANGED ***  
    
    
    
    
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  # The Seven who were Hanged
  
  
  #### A STORY
  
  
  ## by Leonid Andreyev
  
  
  #### Authorized Translation From The Russian By Herman Bernstein.
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  ### Contents
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [FOREWORD](@public@vhost@g@gutenberg@html@files@6722@6722-h@6722-h-1.htm.html#chap01)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [INTRODUCTION](@public@vhost@g@gutenberg@html@files@6