The Complete Works of Isaac Babel by Isaac Babel

Isaac Babel is a renowned modernist Russian writer whose works remain widely influential and revered today. Born in the tumultuous early decades of the 20th century in what is now Ukraine, Babel held an international outlook that helped him craft stories that resonate with contemporary audiences. From his iconic work Red Cavalry to his plays and story collections, Babel's works reflect a profound literary vision that continues to shape the literary world today. This article is a comprehensive overview of the complete works of Isaac Babel, highlighting some of his most well-known and acclaimed pieces.

Babel is most well known for his short story collection Red Cavalry, which was published in 1926. This collection follows a collection of short stories that he had previously published in the iconic Rasskazy journal. The stories in Red Cavalry helped proliferate Babel's distinctive modernist style, as it showcased his unique writing style, which borrowed heavily from folk tales, magic realism, and symbolism. The collection follows the Red Cavalry as they make their way across the Eastern Front in the 1920s, a journey that parallels the narrator's path towards understanding the horrors of war. Babel's elegant language and vivid imagery help make Red Cavalry an riveting and lasting work.

Babel was also a prolific writer of plays. His first play, The Oak and the Calf, was first published in 1929. This play tells the story of a university student's infatuation with a Soviet Commissar, and follows the intertwining paths of their shared dreams and passions. The play blends elements of tragedy, comedy, and history, and examines the complex nature of Soviet life during the 1920s. Other notable plays by Babel include Maria, which was first performed in 1933 and examines the intersections between Jewish and Ukrainian cultures in an isolated village, and Sunset, a sweeping World War II drama concerning the German occupation of Russia.

Babel is also known for his extensive journalism on the Eastern Front. Collected in the volume The Unknown Black Book, these articles were written while Babel traveled alongside the Red Cavalry and witnessed first-hand the horrors of war. In his articles, Babel is often critical of the Bolshevik regime, and gives a humanizing portrait of the Jewish victims of the war. This collection not only illustrates the struggles of war but also reveals Babel's perspective on the troubling domestic politics of contemporary Soviet Union.

In addition to his works of fiction, Babel also wrote a number of influential stories and essays. Most notably his stories The Story of My Dovecot and The Story of My First Love, both of which depict the everyday lives of young Jews living in the Ukraine. This theme of exploring Jewish identity and Eastern European culture is also seen in his play The Sixteen, which follows the reunion of a Jewish family fleeing the horrors of World War II. These stories and essays, along with his fiction and plays, serve as a lasting testament to Babel's unique writing style and vivid vision.

Finally, Babel's Collected Works was published posthumously in 1956. This massive collection contains all of Babel's writings, including stories, essays, plays, and his journalism. This collection serves as an invaluable resource for further exploration of Babel's life and works.

In conclusion, the complete works of Isaac Babel are marked by his exceptional writing style and his astute observations on the complex realities of Eastern European life. Through his stories, plays and essays, Babel crafted a timeless literary vision that continues to inspire readers and academics to this day. By reading his works, one can attain a greater understanding of the intricacies of Babel's worldview and the tumultuous time in which he lived.