Among the Russian intelligentsia, there is an opinion that Russian literature is in decline. However, the creative biography of Viktor Erofeev suggests otherwise. His books continue to be published in civilized countries and find their readers.
Childhood and youth
In the era of universal literacy, it is not easy to create a literary work that will attract the attention of a wide audience. It is very important to choose a topic that excites public opinion and create a compelling storyline. The future Russian writer and television presenter was born on September 19, 1947 in the family of employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union. At that time, the parents lived in Moscow. My father held a responsible position in the structure of the ministry. Mother worked there as a translator.
The child grew up and developed in a supportive family. He never experienced material difficulties. From early childhood, educators and teachers worked with Viktor. He was prepared in the most serious way for a career in the future. As a child, Erofeev spent more than five years in Paris, where the head of the family worked as an adviser at the USSR embassy. During this period, the boy learned to speak French fluently. I got acquainted with the history of France and its cultural heritage. This country became his favorite for the rest of his life. It was in those years that the foundations of his civil world outlook were formed.
In the creative field
Erofeev studied well at school. He gave preference to humanitarian subjects, although he had a solid “four” in mathematics. Having received a certificate of maturity, Victor entered the philological department at Moscow State University. As a student, he was engaged in translations from French and wrote review articles on the novelties of foreign literature published in Russian. After graduating from the university, Erofeev decided to continue his studies at the graduate school of the Institute of World Literature. The young scientist chose the aesthetics of French existentialism as the subject of his scientific research.
In 1975 he defended his thesis for the degree of candidate of philological sciences. Erofeev was widely known for his article on the creative characteristics of the Marquis de Sade, published in 1973 in the pages of the Voprosy literatury magazine. After a while he was admitted to the Writers' Union. Viktor Vladimirovich worked a lot and published his materials in various publishing houses. In 1979, Erofeev's article appeared on the pages of the samizdat magazine Metropol. The consequences were not long in coming - Erofeev was expelled from the Writers' Union and his works ceased to be published.
Recognition and privacy
Erofeev managed to restore his status quo only with the beginning of perestroika, which began in the Soviet Union. All novels and critical articles that were waiting in the wings were published in prestigious publications. The writer was invited to broadcast "Apocrypha" on television. For several years he worked as a host of the Encyclopedia of the Russian Soul program at the Radio Liberty.
The writer's personal life was not very smooth. Erofeev officially registered the marriage twice. For four years he lived with a woman without visiting the registry office. At the moment he lives under the same roof with his second wife, who is forty years younger than her husband. Viktor Vladimirovich continues to engage in literary creativity.
