M. (Mikhail) Artsybashev
Sanine
"Sanine" by M. Artsybashev is a novel written in 1907. Set during a time of political upheaval in Russia, it follows a group of young people exploring sexuality, personal freedom, and revolutionary ideas. The story centers on Lida Sanina and her circle of friends as they wrestle with social pressure, desire, and mortality. The novel's protagonist, Sanin, advocates radical personal liberty, sparking controversy with his philosophy that desire justifies action. Banned for pornography and blasphemy, the book profoundly influenced Russian youth and challenged prevailing moral conventions.