Andrei Platonov

1899, Russia — 1951

Andrei Platonovich Platonov (Russian: Андрей Платонович Платонов, IPA: [ɐnˈdrʲej plɐˈtonəvʲɪtɕ plɐˈtonəf]; né Klimentov [Климе́нтов]; 28 August [O.S. 16 August] 1899 – 5 January 1951) was a Soviet Russian novelist, short story writer, philosopher, playwright, and poet. Although Platonov regarded himself as a communist, his principal works remained unpublished in his lifetime because of their skeptical attitude toward collectivization of agriculture (1929–1940) and other Stalinist policies, as well as for their experimental, avant-garde form infused with existentialism which was not in line with the dominant socialist realism doctrine. His famous works include the novels The Foundation Pit (1930), Soul (1935) and Chevengur (1928). Their work has been subject to censorship or banning challenges.