0
*
0
*
1450
2025
book-filter
Edition cover

Крылья

  • Mikhail Alekseevich Kuzmin

0

0 ratings

Wings (Russian: Крылья) was the first Russian novel centred on homosexuality. Written by Mikhail Kuzmin, it was printed in 1906 to the consternation of a conservative literary establishment.

The novel deals with teenager Vanya Smurov's attachment to his older, urbane mentor, Larion Stroop, a pederast who initiates him into the world of early Renaissance, Classical and Romantic art. At the close of the first part, Vanya is shocked to learn that the object of his admiration frequents a gay bathhouse. In order to sort out his feelings, Vanya withdraws into the Volga countryside, but his sickening experience with rural women, whose call on him to enjoy his youth turns out to be an awkward attempt at seduction, induces Vanya to accept his Classics teacher's proposal and accompany him in a journey to Italy.

In the last part of the novel, Vanya and Stroop, who is also in Italy, are seen enjoying the smiling climate and stunning artworks of Florence and Rome, while Prince Orsini mentors the delicate youth in the art of hedonism.

Genres

  • Renaissance Art
  • Gay men
  • Gay men's writings, Russian
  • Fiction
  • LGBTQ novels
  • LGBTQ novels before Stonewall
Already read

0

people already read

Currently reading

0

people are currently reading

Want to read

1

people want to read

About the author

  • Mikhail Alekseevich Kuzmin

    1872 - 1936

    5.00

    1 ratings · 24 works

Editions

  • Edition cover

    Hesperus Press

    September 28, 2007

  • Edition cover

    Ediciones Akal

    Aug 01, 2019

  • Edition cover

    Ardis

    1972

  • Edition cover

    [s.n.]

    1906

Edition cover

Hesperus Press

2023

  • Edition cover

    HESPERUS PRESS

    2007

  • Edition cover

    [s.n.]

    1906

  • Edition cover

    Ardis

    1972

  • Edition cover

    Ardis

    1979

  • Edition cover

    Kvir

    2008

  • Edition cover

    Berkeley Slavic Specialties

    1978

  • Edition cover

    Ardis

    1979