SHEFNER, Vadim (Sergeevich)

(1915-)

   Russian writer known mostly for his poetry (from c1963) and mainstream fiction. Two short novels, Tchelovek S Piatiu "Ne" (trans Alice Stone Nakhimovsky and Alexander Nakhimovsky as "The Unman") and Devushka UObryva (1970; trans Antonina W. Bouis as "Kovrigin's Chronicles"), were published in omnibus form as The Unman; Kovrigin's Chronicles (omni 1980 US). Both are - like other work assembled as Skromny Genii ("A ModestGenius") (coll 1974), Imia Dlia Ptitsy ("The Name for the Bird") (coll 1976), Kruglaia Taina ("The Round Mystery") (coll 1977) and Skazki Dlia Unmykh ("Fairy-Tales for Smart Ones") (coll 1985) - poetical and sometimes ironical borderline fantasies: modern urban fairy-tales. VS's full-length novel, Latchuga Dolzhnika ("A Debtor's Hovel"), is a mature literary work, combining elements of sf with those of philosophical prose.

VG

   See also: SCIENTISTS.