BULYCHEV, Kir (Kirill)

   Pseudonym of Russian historian and writer Igor (Vsevolodovich) Mozheiko (1934-), known also for books of popular science. He first gained popularity through his light and intelligent stories, assembled in volumes like Tchudesa v Gusliaro (coll 1972; trans Roger DeGaris, with differing contents, as Gusliar Wonders 1983 US), Liudi Kak Liudi ("Men Who Are Like Men") (coll 1975), Letneie Utro ("A Summer Morning") (coll 1979) and Pereval ("The Pass") (coll 1983). Some of these stories were assembled as Half a Life (coll trans Helen Saltz Jacobson 1977 US). In the humorous Gusliar cycle, the eponymous old Russian town is a place where miracles occur on a routine basis - ALIENS land, for example, and fairy-tale Golden Fishes, which grant wishes, are a sell-out in the local pet-store. KB's only adult novel of note, Posledniaia Voina ("The Final War") (1970), depicts a long-dead post- HOLOCAUST planet which is visited by Earthmen who have the technical means to resurrect it. A prolific writer of CHILDREN'S SF, KB may become best known as the author of a very long sequence of Alice tales about a futuristic young heroine, beginning with Devotchka S Zemli ("Girl From Earth") (1974). Juvenile singletons include Sto Let Tomu Vpered ("One Hundred Years Ahead") (1978), Million Prikliuchenii ("A Million Adventures") (1982) and Neposeda ("Fidget") (1985), which was successfully adapted for the screen.

   VG