+ Booklist 16:306 Je ’20
“The grouping of the material in this rather ‘sketchy’ volume is somewhat inadequate. Authors whose influence was very small are at times given more attention and space than is seemly in comparison to those who are very characteristic and important both from the historical and psychological point of view.”
− + Dial 69:322 S ’20 120w
“It is fresh in its treatment, original in its scheme and far more intelligently comprehensive than any other available handbook.”
+ Freeman 1:262 My 26 ’20 700w
“Mr Olgin combines an initiate’s grasp of the political and social background of his country with an intense and catholic appreciation of its literature and his command of incisive and pictorial English might be envied by writers to whom the tongue is native.” Jacob Zeitlin
+ − Nation 111:327 S 18 ’20 240w
“The book is expressly not devised as a ‘history,’ yet the American reader or student of Russian literature will find it of much greater value as a history than any so-called history he can lay his hands on in English.” Clarendon Ross
+ New Repub 24:334 N 24 ’20 490w
“In view of the number of authors dealt with, it is only natural the individual sections should prove more or less uneven. Some are splendid; others are far from satisfactory. The work as a whole is an excellent production.”