The book contains portions of The Human Comedy virtually unknown to the Russian reader of today; the only translation of The Physiology of Marriage, obsolete and full of errors, was published in 1900, while the three treatises making up The Pathology of Social Life had never been translated into Russian before now. Being just as shrewd and knowledgeable about human nature as any authors of newfangled books on "applied psychology", the French classic surpasses them in wit, historical erudition and stylistic skill.

While in the West Surrealism has long become a subject of numerous publications, these publications are finding their way to the Russian reader only now. This study by Jacqueline Chenieux-Gendron is among the most interesting recent works on the subject, noteworthy both for its scope and for its attempt to touch upon the most important aspects of the modern philosophy, aesthetics, and practice of Surrealism. The range of topics extends from the world of dreams to the ethics of risk-taking, from the philosophy of violence and direct action to eroticism, etc. This volume includes an updated bibliography and is intended for the general audience.

The aim of the book is to introduce the Russian reader to modern Swedish drama, which has developed the traditions of the great Strindberg and is here represented by works of the best playwrights of today: Per Olov Enquist, Lars Noren, Agneta Pleijel, Margareta Garpe, Stig Larsson and Barbro Smeds. Family conflicts, love and hate, sex and the quest for spiritual values make up some of the themes. Existential problems are treated on a psychologically deep level and with a somewhat shocking bluntness.

This anthology of humorous stories, parodies, plays, and witty sayings from English-speaking countries has been compiled, translated and provided with notes about the authors by Alexander Livergant. The book contains pieces of famous American, English, Irish, Canadian and other humorists.