A.P. CHEKHOV AND “WARTS-AND-ALL BIOGRAPHIES”: GENESIS, ALGORITHMS OF MAKINGS AND SPECIFICITY OF THE GENRE

The article is devoted to the phenomenon of “desacralizing” biography at example several studies A.P. Chekhov’s life and works, reasons popularity such biographies among mass readers. This way describe partly connected with memoir tradition, in particular, essay by N.M. Yezhov “Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (An attempt characteristics)” (1909). tried create an objective yet creative psychological portrait writer, based on experience personal communication Chekhov. was reduced a many unprovable invectives perceived majority contemporaries lot skepticism. Today this genre Chekhovian literary criticism can be considered as postmodern approach culture, which characterized de-canonizing depiction classical cultural heritage. A book, demonstrates all peculiar treats research, book written D. Rayfield Chekhov: life”. On Rayfield’s we see specific features “warts-and-all biography” (as author describes essence one his interviews): polemical references researches, quasi-scientific presentation facts, illusion presentation, combination proven facts biographer’s assumptions. careful analysis components desacralizing allows us conclude that main target audience their creators popular readers, perceive works (pretending academic books) fully scientific evidence-based new look certain aspects biography. In work, impression also formed purposeful transformation some ordinary into crucial events writer’s life. study reaction wide readers them necessary for science theoretically contemporary trends.