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Interpretation of the science fiction novel by V. Pelevin “Transhumanism Inc.” in terms of “nature-text”

https://doi.org/10.20310/2587-6953-2025-11-2-477-491

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. Contemporary Russian writer Viktor Pelevin combines the qualities of an author of best-selling and postmodern works of the science fiction genre. His novel “Transhumanism Inc.” is both an example of serious classical literature and a popular book that is well loved by readers. The purpose of the study is to identify the semantic interpretation of the novel “Transhumanism Inc.” by V. Pelevin from the perspective of a combination in his literary work of the categories “mass character” and “classic” and the phenomenon “Umwelt”, reflecting the idiostyle of the author.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. The research material is the novel “Transhumanism Inc.” by Pelevin. The method of interpretation is used as a more definite way of understanding a literary text, which requires the involvement of non-linguistic information. To identify the deep meaning of a literary text, a method of analysis “nature-text” is used, which is based on the concept “Umwelt”. A descriptive approach is used to comprehend the writer’s idiostyle.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. The interpretation of a literary text can be considered as the creative sphere of the writer and as the creative sphere of the reader. The peculiarity of V. Pelevin’s idiostyle is liberation from constructivist rationalism and a return “to naturalness”, in the implementation of the effect of liberation of the textual meaning of the novel for reader interpretation.

CONCLUSION. A new look at the study of Pelevin’s work has been identified, based on identifying a system for interpreting knowledge about the ethical regime of reading and immersing the reader’s consciousness in an ecological state.

About the Authors

Yitong Liu
Nanjing Normal University
China

Yitong Liu, Post-Graduate Student, Russian Language and Literature Department

210097, Nanjing, 122 Ninghai Road St



Xin Wang
Nanjing Normal University
China

Xin Wang, Post-Graduate Student, Russian Language and Literature Department

210097, Nanjing, 122 Ninghai Road St



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Review

For citations:


Liu Y., Wang X. Interpretation of the science fiction novel by V. Pelevin “Transhumanism Inc.” in terms of “nature-text”. Neophilology. 2025;11(2):477-491. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.20310/2587-6953-2025-11-2-477-491

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