Collection of mystical, semi-fantastic and humorous stories Izmailov Alexander Alexandrovich [1873–1921] - parodist and critic. He also wrote under the pseudonym Smolensky. Published in “Picturesque Review”, “Son of the Fatherland”, “News”, “North”, etc. The first story “Kuzka’s Childhood” was published in “Zvezda” in 1905. Izmailov gained the greatest popularity as the author of talented parodies of contemporary writers and poets and critics (Blok, Balmont, Merezhkovsky and Gorky), on literary morals, events, etc. Well-made formally, Izmailov’s parodies do not, however, have serious social significance. As a critic-publicist, I. worked in bourgeois newspapers (Birzhevye Vedomosti, Russkoe Slovo). The nature of I.’s literary critical works is impressionistic and idealistic. The most positive of them is the book "Chekhov" (Life, Personality, Creativity, M., 1916) - an experience in the literary biography of the writer. As a poet and fiction writer, I. is not of serious interest, despite his abundant production.