Strange Life of Ivan Osokin by P.D. Ouspensky

Strange Life of Ivan Osokin by P.D. Ouspensky

This is the only novel by P. D. Ouspensky, who died in England in October 1947. He was the author of two prodigious books, Tertium Organum, and A New Model of the Universe -in which, amongst many other ideas, he developed a theory of time as 'eternal recurrence'.

The problem which this story raises in the person of its hero, a young Russian, is one that will never lose its fascination: if you had a chance to live your life again, what would you do with it? Ouspensky treats this in an original and disturbing way.

The action takes place in Moscow, on a country estate, and in Paris, during the years 1890-1902 — after Ivan Osokin, by the agency of a magician, has been sent back twelve years to his stormy schooldays, early manhood, and early loves. Everything will depend on his meeting with Zinaida... The extraordinary form and conception allows Osokin both to live, and at the same time to see his life unfolding as if in a film which, in his heart of hearts, he already knows.

The writing is full of observation, of deep feeling and conviction; with a delightful brevity it captures a scene, a situation, the essence of a character, the flavour of that period.

Whether read as fable, as allegory, or as the last of the Russian novels, Strange Life of Ivan Osokin takes a firm hold upon the reader.

Details

• Hardcover with dust-jacket (good and protected), blue cloth with gold gilded letters on the spine
• First UK Trade Edition, published in 1948 (MCMXLVIII) 
• Condition: Very good, no notes/stamps 
• Publisher: Faber and Faber