The true significance of Vladimir Mayakovsky is determined not by the fact that in Soviet times he was declared “the best and most talented poet,” but by the fact that both during his life and after his death his personality and work remained in the center of public attention, among topics forming the context of modern Russian culture. The role of the poet in society, his right - or duty - to actively participate in the political struggle, revolution, love, death - all this is clearly reflected in Mayakovsky’s poems, making them relevant for any era. Among the many books dedicated to Mayakovsky, his new one occupies a special place biography created by the famous poet, writer, publicist Dmitry Bykov. Describing in detail the life path of his hero, his relationships with the authorities, with women, with comrades-in-arms and opponents, the author focuses on key points, seeing in them a reflection of the main problems of the Russian intelligentsia and, more broadly, Russian history. In this way, the book is reminiscent of Bykov’s previous works in the “ZhZL” series - biographies of B. Pasternak and B. Okudzhava - forming with them a trilogy about the destinies of Russian poets of the 20th century.

[Adapted for AlReader]