The novel “Return to Panjrud” by A. Volos in the perception of literary criticism

Abstract

This article examines the novel “Return to Panjrud” (2013) by A. Volos, which holds a special place in the body of contemporary Russian prose dealing with the Eastern historical and cultural heritage. The author focuses on the artistic recreation of the poet Rudaki and the era of the Samanids. The narrative combines historical accuracy with philosophical depth. The article explores the structural features of the novel, the role of flashbacks and parables, the specificity of its style, and the author’s engagement with the poetic tradition of the East. Special attention is given to the critical reception of the text, particularly its interpretation by A. Salomatin who compares the novel with “Laurus” (2012) by E. Vodolazkin and highlights the unique role of both works in the development of the historical novel genre in 21st-century Russian literature. Volos’s novel represents not only an artistic engagement with the past, but also a philosophical reflection on universal themes – such as the relationship between the artist and power, time, human existence, and cultural memory. The purpose of the article is to identify the key features of A. Volos’s “Return to Panjrud” as an outstanding example of contemporary Russian historical prose that reconstructs the Eastern cultural and historical context of the 9th -10th centuries, and to determine the artistic devices, through which the author combines historical authenticity with philosophical depth. The study also aims to analyze the critical reception of the novel, especially in the interpretation offered by A. Salomatin, and to reflect on the role that “Return to Panjrud” plays in the evolution of the historical novel genre in 21st - century Russian literature.