V. F. Odoevsky's “Russian nights”: two novels?

The article raises the question of two editions of V. F. Odoevsky’s novel “Russian Nights”. In the 1860s, the writer wanted to republish it and made a number of amendments and additions to the novel. Odoevsky did not complete this work, and for the first time after the 1844 edition “Russian Nights” were published only in 1913. The publisher S. A. Tsvetkov was guided by the principle of following the “last will of the author” and included Odoevsky’s later changes in the text of the novel. This principle has become defining for the publishers of “Russian Nights” in the Literary Monuments series. This version of the novel is still being republished. At one time P. N. Sakulin sharply criticized this approach and pointed out the differences between Odoevsky worldview in the 1830s and 1860s. This difference is clearly reflected in the amendments proposed by the author. This article supplements and expands the argument of the researcher. The 1844 Preface to the Works and the draft of the Preface from the 1860s are compared, and later notes and insertions are analyzed in the context of the novel. The study shows that in the later years of his life Odoevsky departs from his earlier mysticism and romantic style. Later changes give “Russian Nights” a tendentiousness, destroy the unity of the author’s position. They should not be included in the main text of the novel. The standardization of the author’s spelling and punctuation, which is characteristic of Soviet re-editions of the classics, also violates the poetic space of the novel. It is important to note that the writer created the novel precisely as an aesthetic creation, and the slightest nuances of the author's score are vital to it. When republishing “Russian Nights”, it is advisable to be guided by the “historical principle” (“editio princeps”).