Cultural Capitalism

This incisive study charts the profound transformation of Russian literature after the Soviet Union's collapse, tracing how books were abruptly redefined as commercial commodities. The author reconstructs the market's pervasive influence, from navigating late-Soviet paper shortages to the advent of Russia's first bestseller lists, which bestowed a new form of prestige. The analysis reveals how even established literary prizes began seeking legitimacy from market forces, demonstrating that the rise of capitalism fundamentally reshaped both the economics and the aesthetics of the entire literary field.

Gorski's work stands out for its detailed exploration of how authors and institutions not only adapted to but actively embraced this new commercial reality, moving beyond a simple narrative of Western cultural imposition. Readers interested in post-Soviet studies, the sociology of literature, or the complex relationship between art and commerce will find a compelling account of a cultural system in radical flux. The book ultimately provides a crucial framework for understanding how creative production is reconfigured when it collides with the logic of the market.