Alexander Alexandrovich Fadeyev ​

Alexander Alexandrovich Fadeyev was a Soviet writer and a prominent member of the USSR Union of Writers, which he served as General Secretary from 1946 to 1954. Fadeyev's novel, 'The Young Guard', is considered a classic of Soviet literature.

Quick Facts ​

• Notable Russian novelist and eminent member of the Communist Party, Soviet Writer's Union and World Peace Council.
• Wrote famous novels such as "The Rout" and "Young Guard", the latter was awarded the Stalin Prize in 1946.
• Was the editor-in-chief for the literary magazine "Oktyabr".
• His works portray the lives of the Soviet people during the pre-revolutionary period.
• Created his own unique style, combining historical and socio-political realities with romanticized heroism.

Background ​

Fadeyev was born in 1901 in Kimry, a town in Tver Oblast, Russia, into a family of a village teacher. He joined the Bolshevik Party in 1918 and took part in the guerrilla fight during the Civil War. He began his education at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, but had to discontinue education due to lack of funds; he later graduated from the Eastern Institute in Vladivostok. He started his writing career from the Far Eastern Republic, where he published his first writings in local newspapers. Fadeyev achieved fame with his novel The Rout, which depicted the struggle of a group of partisans in the Far East. Besides his writing career, he held key positions at the Union of Soviet Writers from its inception in 1934. His later life was marred by alcoholism, which led to his tragic suicide in 1956. His work had a great influence on Soviet Literature.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Fadeyev is best known for his powerful use of realism. He expertly painted a picture of Soviet life and individual characters' experiences within it, using detailed description and engaging narratives to capture readers' attention. He was also notable for his ability to expose societal issues in a way that provoked thought and reflection among readers. Some of his works were recommended for reading in schools and colleges as they accurately reflected the Soviet ideology of the time.

Notable Works ​

• The Rout (1927)
• The Nineteen (1927)
• The Last of the Udege (1929)
• The Young Guard (1945-1946)