This introduction presents the major themes, forms and styles of Russian poetry. Using examples from Russia's greatest poets, Wachtel draws on three centuries of verse, from the beginnings of secular literature in the eighteenth century to the present.

Including examples from Russia's greatest poets, Michael Wachtel draws on three centuries of verse, from the beginnings of secular literature in the eighteenth century to the present day. The first part of his book is devoted to concepts such as versification, poetic language and tradition. In the second part he examines the ode, the elegy, love poetry, nature poetry and patriotic verse.