Mikhail Shishkin (writer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mikhail Shishkin
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Cafe Odeon in Zürich 2010 © Evgeniya Frolkova
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| Born | 18 January 1961 Moscow, Russian SFSR |
| Occupation | writer |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Citizenship | Russia, Switzerland |
| Genre | Fiction, non-fiction |
| Notable awards | Russian Booker Prize (2000), Russian National Bestseller Award (2005) and Big Book Prize (2006, 2010) |
Mikhail Pavlovich Shishkin (Russian: Михаил Павлович Шишкин, born on January 18, 1961) is a famous writer from Russia and Switzerland. He is the only author to have won three major Russian book awards: the Russian Booker Prize (in 2000), the Russian National Bestseller Award (in 2005), and the Big Book Prize (in 2010). His books have been translated into 30 different languages. He also writes in German.
Contents
About Mikhail Shishkin's Life
Mikhail Shishkin was born in Moscow, Russia, on January 18, 1961. His mother, Irina Georgievna Shishkina, taught Russian literature. His father, Pavel Mikhailovich Shishkin, was an engineer.
In 1977, Mikhail finished high school in the center of Moscow. He then studied German and English at the Moscow State Pedagogical University. After college, he worked many different jobs. He was a road worker, a street sweeper, a journalist, a school teacher, and a translator.
In 1995, Shishkin moved to Switzerland with his family. He worked in Zürich for the Immigration Department. This department helps people who move to a new country, especially refugees. He helped by translating for them in Russian and German. He now has Swiss citizenship.
Mikhail Shishkin has also been a guest professor at Washington and Lee University in the United States. He taught there in 2007 and 2009. Since 2011, he has lived with his family in a small village in Switzerland called Kleinlützel.
He often gives talks at universities and cultural events across Europe and the United States. He also appears on television and radio shows in many countries. Shishkin has written articles for well-known newspapers like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Guardian.
Mikhail Shishkin's Books
Mikhail Shishkin's first novel was called One Night Befalls Us All. It was later published as Larionov's Reminiscences. This book caught the attention of many book critics. He won an award for the best new writer of the year.
In 1999, his novel The Taking of Izmail was published. This book was a big success. In 2000, it won the Russian Booker Prize, which is a very important award for Russian novels. People said it was a powerful and fascinating book.
Moving to Switzerland inspired Shishkin to write a non-fiction book called Russian Switzerland. This book is a guide about Russian history and literature in Switzerland. It was translated into German and French. It also won an award from the Canton of Zürich.
In 2005, Shishkin released his novel Maidenhair. This book won the National Bestseller award in 2005 and the Big Book Award in 2006. Critics praised Maidenhair for its beautiful language. They said it showed how words can create a reality that feels more real than the actual world. The book explores how to overcome sadness with love.
When Maidenhair was translated into English in 2012, it was also highly praised. One critic called it "the best post-Soviet Russian novel." Another said that Shishkin's writing shows his belief in the power of stories.
In 2010, his novel Pismovnik (which means "Letter-Book") was published. This book won him the main Big Book Prize in 2011. It also won the reader's choice vote, meaning many readers loved it.
The English version of Pismovnik is called The Light and the Dark. It was published in 2013. The Wall Street Journal said that Shishkin created a magical mix of real life and imagination in the book. Monocle magazine said it proved that great Russian literature is still being written.
In 2015, a collection of his short stories called Calligraphy Lesson: The Collected Stories was released. Critics said these stories were well-made and showed empathy for people. They also noted that even though the stories are about Russian history, they deal with universal problems that everyone can understand.
Mikhail Shishkin's translated works have won many international awards. These include the Grinzane Cavour Prize in Italy and the Prix du Meilleur Livre Étranger in France. He also won the International Literature Award in Berlin for the German translation of Maidenhair.
When asked about all his awards, Shishkin said, "No award has ever made a book better." He believes his success shows he was right not to change his writing style for anyone.
In 2019, Shishkin released a digital book called Dead Souls, living Noses. An Introduction into the Russian Culture History. This book is in German and includes essays, comments, pictures, music, and videos. It was called "a new level in the development of book culture." Shishkin described it as his "very personal encyclopedia of Russian Culture."
All of Shishkin's novels have been turned into plays in Russia.
Mikhail Shishkin's Writing Style
People often praise Mikhail Shishkin's writing for being clear and precise. His language is said to connect to the style of famous Russian writers like Pushkin. He says that other great writers have taught him important lessons:
- Bunin taught him to believe in himself and not give up.
- Chekhov taught him to be kind and remember that no character in a story is completely bad.
- Tolstoy taught him not to be afraid to be simple or innocent in his writing.
Shishkin compares writing to giving blood. He says he shares the most important part of life with his readers. But, he adds, they need to be on the "same blood type" to truly connect with his stories.
Mikhail Shishkin's Views
Mikhail Shishkin openly disagrees with the current Russian government. He has strongly criticized the actions of Vladimir Putin and Russia's policies, including the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
In 2013, he decided not to represent Russia at a book fair in the United States. He also spoke out against the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. He wrote in The Guardian that "Putin is committing monstrous crimes in the name of my people, my country, and me." He also said that it's hard to feel free in Russia today.
Awards and Honors
- 1993: Prize for the Best Debut of the Year
- 2000: Russian Booker Prize for The Taking of Izmail
- 2005: Prix du Meilleur Livre Étranger (Essay)
- 2006: Big Book Award for Maidenhair
- 2006: National Bestseller Literary Prize for Maidenhair
- 2007: Grinzane Cavour Prize (Italy) for Capelvenere (Italian translation of Maidenhair)
- 2011: Big Book Award for Pismovnik
- 2011: International Literature Award for Maidenhair (German translation)
- 2013: Shortlisted for the Best Translated Book Award for Maidenhair
- 2022: Premio Strega Europeo in Italy for Pismownik (Italian translation of The Light and the Dark)
See also
In Spanish: Mijaíl Shishkin para niños
