Alexander Blok, in a review of another book about the life and work of M. Yu. Lermontov, as if sympathizing with modern and future biographers, complained: “There is no basis for researching Lermontov - the biography is beggarly. It remains to “foresee” Lermontov.” Nevertheless, there is still “ground” for understanding the poet - these are his poems. It is unlikely that there is another such writer in Russian literature, whose work - brilliant poetry, poems, drama and prose - would so fully and deeply reflect his fate, life circumstances and personality development. The creative legacy of Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov testifies to him as a person more complete and penetrating than the memories of his contemporaries and, undoubtedly, is the best source material for that “providence” that A. Blok dreamed of. The author of a new book about Lermontov, comprehending the fate of the poet, analyzes in detail, first of all, his works (including imperfect, early works), uses the most striking and authoritative works of researchers of the past, as well as philosophers and writers of the Silver Age, whose opinions about M. Yu. Lermontov is unknown to the general reader, agrees and polemicizes with them. Lermontov was read deeply and in a new way, which is what happens in those cases when the poet (Valery Mikhailov - author of more than twenty books of poetry and prose) writes about the poet. sign of information products 16+