The Russian theme in the “Diary” by Eugene-Melchior de Vogue

For the first time in Russian literary criticism, the article analyzes the “Diary” by the French writer and diplomat Eugene-Melchior de Vogue (18481910), which has not been translated into Russian, and which reflects his first impressions on his encounter with Russia. Article considers Vogue’s “Diary” as a prologue to the numerous works of the writer on the Russian theme, reveals the themes, motifs, and images that were just emerging in the “Diary” and subsequently found continuation and development in the writer’s work, primarily in his famous book “The Russian Novel” (1886). The evolution of Vogue’s attitude to Russia and the origin of the idea of “The Russian Novel” are traced. The writer is particularly interested in the mood of Russian society, his reaction to important events in social and political life, to the theme of nihilism and political terror in Russia, as well as to Russian literature and its representatives (I.S. Turgenev, L.N. Tolstoy, F.M. Dostoevsky). The factors that influenced his perception of Russia are revealed: his diplomatic status, political views, as well as his acquaintance with Russian literature and close personal and family ties that connected him with our country. Vogue’s optics are correlated with the ideas of his predecessor A. de Custine about Russia. It is noted that, like Custine, Vogue builds the Russia / West opposition. Unlike Custine, however, Russia is a positive member of this opposition. The article concludes that the idyllic space of peace and creative work in the “Diary” is Bobrovo, the estate of Vogue’s wife in Little Russia.