Author. Considered one of the finest Russian writers of the Soviet period, he was born in Odessa, Ukraine, served with the Red Army during the Civil War and settled in Moscow in 1922. His early work showed a flair for comedy and satire, such as the novel "The Embezzlers" (1926) and the play "Squaring The Circle" (1928), but with the rise of Stalin he was criticized by Soviet pundits who demanded he write optimistic pieces on prescribed themes. Kataev made the best of these restrictions and his novels "Time, Forward!" (1932) and "Lone White Sail" (1936) are among the very few examples of "Socialist Realism" that can stand on their own as literature. Another novel, "I Am A Son Of The Working People" (1937), was turned into the opera "Semyon Kotko" (1940) by Sergei Prokofiev. After Stalin's death in 1953 Kataev founded and edited the magazine "Youth", in which he championed dissident authors like the poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko. His many other books include three volumes of autobiography, "Peace Is Where The Tempests Blow" (1936), "The Holy Well" (1967), and "Grass of Oblivion" (1969). When Kataev died at 89 his career had spanned almost the entire history of the Soviet Union, which survived him by only five years. He was the older brother of humorist Yevgeny Petrov, of Ilf and Petrov fame.
Author. Considered one of the finest Russian writers of the Soviet period, he was born in Odessa, Ukraine, served with the Red Army during the Civil War and settled in Moscow in 1922. His early work showed a flair for comedy and satire, such as the novel "The Embezzlers" (1926) and the play "Squaring The Circle" (1928), but with the rise of Stalin he was criticized by Soviet pundits who demanded he write optimistic pieces on prescribed themes. Kataev made the best of these restrictions and his novels "Time, Forward!" (1932) and "Lone White Sail" (1936) are among the very few examples of "Socialist Realism" that can stand on their own as literature. Another novel, "I Am A Son Of The Working People" (1937), was turned into the opera "Semyon Kotko" (1940) by Sergei Prokofiev. After Stalin's death in 1953 Kataev founded and edited the magazine "Youth", in which he championed dissident authors like the poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko. His many other books include three volumes of autobiography, "Peace Is Where The Tempests Blow" (1936), "The Holy Well" (1967), and "Grass of Oblivion" (1969). When Kataev died at 89 his career had spanned almost the entire history of the Soviet Union, which survived him by only five years. He was the older brother of humorist Yevgeny Petrov, of Ilf and Petrov fame.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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