The fifteen distinguished contributors do more than elucidate a world-class novel. They provide capsule courses on a spectrum of topics that mattered deeply to Andrei Bely but are obscure to many readers today: anthroposophy, neoKantianism, 'life-creation,' racial thinking, political terrorism. A path-breaking literary portal." - Caryl Emerson, Princeton University"Succeeds in making a challenging modernist novel more accessible to nonspecialists. Students and fans of Bely's work at every level will appreciate this fine and informative critical companion to Petersburg." - Emily Johnson, author of How St. Petersburg Learned to Study Itself"A timely and useful guide for those reading and teaching Bely's brilliant modernist novel. This volume makes Bely's fascinating masterpiece more accessible to those outside Russian studies." - Choice