Mytar.
Mytar.
On September, 3rd to Sergey Dovlatov 60 years would be executed only...
Was somehow led to write about Dovlatov - from its easy hand
The autohero - it is ironic, it is light and in a major. On motives and in its tone
Emotionally dauntless prose. At me in a diary for November 1971
Year it is written down: "Dovlatov Again came. Absolutely stirred up
The person. Has told, that he is a writer-serednjak, without everyones
Claims, and in its this quality it is possible and it is necessary to print ".
I recollect mytarja, the long-suffering which has set up a record. Killed
Years to overtake the Soviet Gutenberg. And not printed
Lines. I allocate three outcomes - on scene of action Serezhinyh of attempts
To be materialised in a printing word: Leningrad, Tallinn, New York.
Leningrad: purgatory the Seventieth, their first half.
Birth of the new publication - magazine "Aurora". I worked in
Prose department. Once on our threshold has arisen at all
Literary by sight and it is exact without any personal charm
mastodont in winter prikide - Serezha Dovlatov. And main
redaktorsha, not knowing by sight creative youth, was in time with
Irritation to shout to it, that not there was put, mistaken a door,
"Here also close it, make favour, on the other hand". Serezha
Was dumbfounded, but has quickly consulted and has joked about delights of the military man
Communism. So I with it have met for the first time in the worker, so
To tell, an order. I have well remembered our conversation for the reason
Ridiculous and annoying, pursuing Serezhu till the end of its circulations in
"Aurora". It, playing the fool, has represented ideologically-lexical triedinstvo
Petersburg adult magazines such picture: the revolutionary flows
The river "Neva", over it burns five-pointed "Star", costs on
Trick "Aurora". And ashore, near Smolnogo, flares in ecstasy
Patriotism the "Fire" lighted by grandsons of Ilyich. Something in it
Sort. Serezhina the version was more exact and smeshnej. It stood in a coat,
Vainly appealing to an audience, - anybody did not listen to it. Was
It is diligent and fussy. Very much wished to like as perspective
The author. But main redaktrisa looked gloomy. And any of the thick
Folders of its stories were not even probno, in a stock, on replacement,
It is considered for the first avrorovskih volleys.
Anybody then did not take it seriously. I remember, at Bitova,
Brodsky, Maramzina, Yefimov, yes at many, such
Scornful otmah:
"A-a, Dovlatov - legkoves". Counter to its corporal gromozdju.
Volodja Toropygin, the following editor-in-chief of "Aurora", correct
All successively ottepelnym to idols, took offence, when I gave to it on
Approval Serezhiny stories. He did not consider, that for the sake of Dovlatov
It is necessary to run into troubles on which it went for the sake of
Strugatsky, Volodina, Valery Popova, Bitova, Sosnory...
On parties at Igor Yefimov where visitors put as in the Kremlin
Or Vatican, on ranks, Serezha was located at the very end of a table without
The rights to the woman also have been compelled to listen to the pair all the evening long
konferans Nyman and Rhine sitting on both parties from
Co-chairmen - Yefimov and his wife. Being in a shelter, Serezha
Strongly kiksoval also entertained same, as it, outsiders in the end
Table. "Look all!" - also raised from a floor a chair for one leg on
To the extended hand. Said, that so it can and more one Australian.
And what to it remains? Serezha did not take offence. He recognised this
The table of ranks. Dreamt to become the full member sometime
Elite club. But, as always, was late. Brodsky has emigrated in
America, Bits, Rhine and Nyman - to Moscow, Efims any time
Successfully represented island - in isolation from plague literary
Continent. For now Dovlatov went on editions.
Anybody from acquaintances to me on "Aurora" of writing people -
The beginning author, especially finishing - had no so
Scanty consciousness of the author's size. It is a lot of later
Dovlatov, muchimyj even in New York total nepechataniem it on
To the native land, has found, how it seemed to it, the exhaustive answer: "I have begun
To write to the heat of Khruschev's thaw.... I have filled up editions
The products. Also has received not less than hundred refusals. It was
Strange. I was not the rebellious author. Was not interested in a policy.
Did not suppose in the writing excessive erotizma. Not
Mentioned the Jewish problem... I wrote about sufferings of the young
vohrovtsa which well knew. About spivshihsja bottoms of the big
Cities. About small fartsovshchikah... I was not the anti-Soviet writer,
And still me did not publish. I all thought - why? And at last
Has understood. About what I write, does not exist. That is in a life it,
Certainly, is available. And in the literature does not exist ".
In the spring 1975 Dovlatov has become constant visitor in "Aurora". It was, on
Last despair, its siege of the Soviet fortress. Manuscripts Serezha
Held in shchegolskih folders. Manual job. It brought these
Daddies, and it was impossible as to print it, I am accurate
Put them in a case: the bottom shelf, such pile of folders, and above
Inscription from my hand: "to Return to Sergey Dovlatov". Serezha
Superstitiously behind manuscripts did not come. Its last gift, to
To happiness, laid at me in a table.
Just at this time in prose department there was a new manager -
William Kozlov. The person deeply ignorant and inclined to
Instant, without any doubts, to acts. In the first
The working day of Goats was declared in edition early in the morning, and soon there
The band of pioneers behind paper for recycling has run. Seconds not having thought,
Goats has invited them in department of prose and has offered all this case. Not
It would be desirable to recollect Dovlatov's reaction when it has come at last for
Manuscripts: anger, bile, bewilderment, insult. But was for it in
It makulaturnom application of its stories and gloomy symbolics:
Everything, that it did these years, is destroyed also it is necessary to nobody.
It is cut. It again became the beginning writer.
Tallinn: the throw on the near West the Beginning writer it has gone
To Tallinn. Dovlatov writes to stories "Craft" about this
Sudden throw on the near West: "Why I have gone in
Tallinn? Why not to Moscow? Why not to Kiev where at me is
Influential friends?.
Reasonable motives were absent. There was a passing car. My affairs
Were at a deadlock. Debts, family disorders, feeling of hopelessness ".
Jerk to Tallinn - and it has come to the senses. It began with the beginning.
Therefore began laboriously, with the big stock of patience,
Preparing for usual Soviet drudgeries. Has started the gift
To adjust acquaintances, the contacts useful and dangerous liaisons, love
And enmity.
And has then blown, for the first time in Serezhinoj to destiny, a fair wind.
There was a possibility to publish the first book. Signing
Contracts.
Any long-term drudgeries. The proofs, the second proof-reading.
Magic enchanting spectacle of success! In "Aurora" Dovlatov did not recollect.
Then, with the big interval, an enthusiastically-envious rumble:
Lets out at once two books - adult and children's, marks at their
The union of writers. And it is more about Dovlatov - a sound. That both books
Have been cut at an imposition stage by local KGB, I have learnt casually in
Tallinn and under the most gloomy circumstances.
It seems, in March 75th "Aurora" with an author's active
Has gone to propagandise itself to the next Tallinn. Dovlatov
Anywhere was not. Poet Sasha Kushner entering then in force, suddenly
Speaks: "Now I will show you something very curious". Left from
The ancient centre of Tallinn, the architecture became more and more
Okrainno-Soviet. Something like profitable - huge, bare
And old - houses. Dark and odorous - hardened habitation -
Ladder. We have entered in big, almost without furniture a room. In a corner -
On a diagonal from an input - Dovlatov sat. It sat on a floor, widely
Having placed feet, and before it - very good made abreast -
There were ranks of bottles. Approximately - about hundred. Wine, vodka,
konjachnyh. A terrible show! First, it is impossible to drink so much
And to remain live. Secondly, before me the alcoholic sat not. In
To ridiculous pose poverzhennogo Gulliver the person who has suffered sat
Full wreck. It was burdensome to look, how it - halfway to
To consciousness - endeavoured to penetrate in Sashiny inquiries, moreover to hold
Thus worthy style. Therefore so reaction has amazed me
Kushner: a celebration of the winner. It had frankly fun over
Dovlatov's figure at the broken trough of literary destiny. And
Giggled all way back. Also was disgusting.
After unsuccessful literary emigration to Estonia to Dovlatov
Remains nothing how to emigrate really - to America.
New York: a debut - triumph - death. To America has arrived again
The beginning writer. It has received here what never
Tried, - unlimited creative freedom. It was pleasant
Extremely! It has appeared, in its case is a first condition, pledge
And the guarantor of the present good luck. Only in America Dovlatov has learnt at last
Also has correctly understood the author's potentiality, inquiries, tastes, the purposes,
Phobias and claims - after all it were perfect till now
The unpretentious author.
The first year in New York it made impression of the deafened.
Of the literature did not think. Did not know, with what to a side to it here
To be risen. Went on jeweller courses in Manhattan, having requisitioned
At the wife on rasplav in raw materials silver rings and a bracelet. Stoically
Convinced itself and others, that it is capable to do costume jewellery better
Masters, what is it at it from the God also will suffice for a life. Hardly later
Serezha has lighted up on strongly monetary, as he said, job
The door-keeper - in a crimson uniform with laces, in magnificent hotel
Manhattan. Said, that it is exclusively adapted - growth,
Article and a muzzle - for this post. That someone from very
Influential Russian it was promised to get it on protection.
That it already has mastered in English all lexicon of the polite
The door-keeper: "Hey, a taxi!"; "allow to place"; "your suitcases!";
"Is very grateful".
Year he has lived in New York, as the lost the way person, which
Does not know, in what party it is necessary to get out. In Union Serezha
Achieved an official recognition of the writing.
Publishing houses, magazines, newspapers were state - on
The state maintenance and operating mode. In Russian New York
Dovlatov has not found such establishments and has reconciled. That the publication
Can arise from the private initiative, from personal efforts - has come
As revelation. Not always the joyful. Long still, preparing in the press
The domodelnye books-writing-books, with the drawings, design,
Set, in paper covers and insignificant circulation, Dovlatov
Was distressed on Soviet printing houses inaccessible to it with their high
The professionalism, in enormous circulations and generous fees. But
Gradually - in connection with the American success - these regrets have left.
In Russian colony of New York the Petersburg American became
The strong writer with well distinguishable author's physiognomy.
He did not name any more itself(himself) the private soldier - laid claim on bolshee.
Looking back now on Dovlatov in New York, you marvel it
izobretatelskoj energy, expressional zatejnosti, absolutely
Gainless, but rough enterprise. It has lined the local
Journalists and writers on weight of unprofitable editions - from "New
The American "to" Russian playboy ". There were also others labour-consuming
Inventions. Like oral magazine "Protected". To the literary
To undertakings Dovlatov involved the emigrants living razobshchenno -
Home-workers - in different corners of New York. Round it curled
The people. He liked to push together people, cutting strong feelings and bright
Reactions. In every way and receptions, not caring of ethics, Dovlatov
Tried to deck "a dim literary landscape of Russian
New York "- a forage reserve of its emigrant prose. Absolutely
Meaningly it provided itself(himself) with the literary environment, without which
- It knew well it - the writer does not exist.
Did not like in prose and in verses high and clever. Said, that
The writer does not create meaningly high art. That if it
Works with such installation result it will be art
Defective - not at height of literary claims. It - in a kitchen garden
Brodsky who Serezha then was rather afraid, considered influential
The literary grandee, depended on it, Brodsky, favour,
Released Serezhe it is avaricious and it is offensive. Dovlatov was so
It is badgered Brodsky's by authoritativeness, that as required blurted out,
As an oath: he is a genius, the classic, idolishche, best of Russian
Poets to criticise it I do not dare and that there was no desire, its books
The last I do not read at all. But, of course, to reconcile or accept for
Norm Brodsky Serezha's literary despotism could not - at least from
Humour. And, happened, revolted - directly, and more often - vprigljadku.
Intensively, in an emphasis worrying the present, Serezha not
Was interested in future time. Said, that the future for it -
It tomorrow, as a last resort - the day after tomorrow. Its past not
ugryzalo - it went there exclusively on the literary
To need. Was indifferent to memory - it did not burn down it. It also was not
The big hunter of a cat to shirk back. In gone through navedyvalsja
Only on business, behind concreteness which was the fanatic.
About death. Despite grandiose hard drinkings, from which it
Crept out all with the big losses for health, Serezha about death not
Thought. It did not enter into a circle of its reflexions and plans.
Excepting last three months of a life. He could say, that from
Following hard drinking will not get out, it collected and attached the
Literary archive, but at heart it in death for itself not
Believed. Often estimated an old age. Cared it to provide. To
Dead it had an aesthetic hostility. Dead - the friend,
The friend, the relative - it swept aside at once. Another's death gave
To it a dope for a life.
I remember Serezhu gloomy, gloomy, concentrated on the
The grief to which gave that to stream, but even to look out
Outside. I remember typically dovlatovskuju a gloomy smile in reply to
Clumsy attempts it to stir. Especially heavy it was necessary to it
That year before the last in his life on August, 24th. Having returned from
Reorganisation Moscow with wonderful messages, I first of all
Has gone to Serezhe it to please: in editions about him
Ask, wish to print, someone from the venerable has responded with
Delight, it is the present glory.
Serezha was indifferent. Him any more did not please local,
Local publications, its improbable regular authorship in
"Nju-Jorkere", translation editions of its books. Everything, that it so
dushedrobitelno achieved, to it has come. But as he spoke:
"Too late". Even the son at it was born, which vymechtal
After two or three raznomatochnyh daughters. But also about Kohl
Dovlatov adoring him, has severely responded: "Too late". For
Long years mykanja on the Soviet editions at Serezhi has accumulated
Too many negative emotions. And any positive. Those
Cages in its organism that know pleasure, have simply died off.
What to hide - at Dovlatov there was a long creative crisis.
To it it was not written how he wanted. At all it was not written. Was
ischerpannost vital plots. Its suffering alcoholism in
These months - attempt to leave though for a while from deadlock, about which it
Fought and fought. It was heavy to it before death. The death has not grasped
It absolutely unawares.
Elena Klepikova.
New York.
<$>
//* an information Source: the Moscow member of the Komsomol, 3.09.01
//* Reg. Nom. - 1110900007.43-------------------------------------------
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