Viktor Toporov (1946–2013) was one of the most prominent critics and translators of his time. This publication contains his articles on the literature of Western Europe and the USA. Gottfried Benn, Wysten Hugh Auden, Robert Frost, Henry Miller, Graham Greene, Max Frisch, Sylvia Platt, Tom Wolfe and many, many others - this book can be considered a history of Western literature of the 20th century. A story in which the depth of vision and breadth of erudition are organically combined with the inimitable wit of the author.