Yuri Polyakov’s book “Selfie with the Muse” is unique in its own way. The author not only allows the reader into his creative laboratory, but also reveals secrets that masters of words rarely share with anyone. The collection includes fascinating stories and vivid sketches of the customs of the creative environment. But the main thing is that it is a kind of introspection diary of the famous Russian prose writer, playwright, poet, and publicist. We get a rare opportunity to trace how life’s collisions, love experiences, political and literary struggles grew into works that became bestsellers, the favorite reading of millions. As always, the grotesque realist Yuri Polyakov wrote the book passionately, aphoristically, cheerfully, although not without sadness about the imperfections of our world.