Top 10 interesting facts about Ivan Bunin

Ivan Alekseevich Bunin is a famous Russian writer, the first winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. He wrote his first poems while studying at the gymnasium, at the age of 15 he became the author of a novel, which, unfortunately, all editions refused to publish. Bunin was 17 when his poem was still published. It was one of the happiest days of his life.

Bunin chose a difficult path in life, he decided to become a writer. Popularity did not come to him immediately. Few paid attention to his first collection of poems. The books weren’t for sale…

In 1909, Ivan Alekseevich left Russia due to revolutionary sentiments. His entire biography is travel and travel. In exile, he wrote his best works, including the novel “The Life of Arseniev”, for which he received the Nobel Prize.

Most of his works are philosophical in nature. The topics that the writer touches on are still relevant today. That is why the modern reader needs to get acquainted with the work of Ivan Alekseevich. To understand what he was like during his lifetime, check out our rating of interesting facts about Bunin: biography and stories from his life that influenced the formation of the writer.

10 Representative of an old noble family, which had its own coat of arms

Ivan Bunin was a representative of a noble family, which was formed in the XNUMXth century. He even had his own coat of arms. Unfortunately, there was nothing to be proud of: the family was ancient, but impoverished.

Bunin’s childhood passed in need. His father Alexei Nikolaevich married his cousin, Lyudmila Aleksandrovna Chubarova. In total, they had 9 children, but only 4 of them survived. Bunin’s father loved alcohol and cards, it was his addictions that caused the unstable financial situation of the Bunin family.

9. Vasily Zhukovsky – one of the relatives

There were many worthy people among Bunin’s relatives. Vasily Zhukovsky could also belong to this genus, he was a distant relative of Ivan Alekseevich.

Zhukovsky’s father is Afanasy Ivanovich Bunin. He had an affair with a captive Turkish woman who subsequently gave birth to a boy. Afanasy Ivanovich did everything possible so that no one knew about the existence of the child. His friend agreed to adopt the boy and even gave him his last name – Zhukovsky. Bunin was very proud of this relationship.

8. Alexander Kuprin was the best friend of the writer

In 1895 Bunin arrived in St. Petersburg. It took him very little time to enter literary circles and find new acquaintances revolving in this area. At the same time, he became friends with Kuprin. They were too different: in appearance and character. They were even called each other’s antipodes, but the writers quickly found a common language. In 1909 they even shared the Pushkin Prize.

Bunin, although he considered Kuprin his best friend, noted that their relationship was uneven.. They argued a lot because of creativity. Kuprin continued the traditions of the great Russian writers: Tolstoy, Chekhov and others. Bunin himself determined the development of Russian prose of the XNUMXth century. On this basis, disagreements often arose among friends.

7. Was extremely superstitious

Bunin studied at the men’s gymnasium in Yeletsk for five years. His elder brother was engaged in his further education, that is, Ivan Alekseevich was an educated person. In spite of this, he was very superstitious. He refused to sit down at the table 13th in a row, believed in omens, was afraid of black cats and women with empty buckets.

Bunin also had one rule that concerned his work: he never started a new piece on the 13th.

6. Collected vials and pharmaceutical boxes

Ivan Alekseevich had an unusual hobby. He was engaged in collecting pharmacy bottles, jars, bottles. The fact is that the writer adored drugs. If Bunin saw someone have a new remedy, he tried to get himself the same. His “home first aid kit” could be the envy of hospitals.

He also collected books on apothecary business. Bunin believed that he understood medicines much better than any doctor. By the way, he hid most of his collection from prying eyes and did not show it to anyone.

5. The theme of loneliness and betrayal in creativity

In the work of Bunin, one of the main topics was the theme of loneliness and betrayal.. Everything is simple here, the writer learned from his own experience what treason and deceit on the part of a loved one are.

His first wife Varvara left Bunin and went to another, but the writer considered their marriage ideal, he was happy. His life was destroyed.

The second marriage with Anna Tsakni was also short-lived. The couple divorced, and their son died at the age of 5.

4. Received the Nobel Prize in Literature

Bunin’s first nomination for the Nobel Prize was in 1922. For several years in a row, his candidacy was put forward by emigrant writers, and in 1933 Ivan Alekseevich became its owner. The first to know about this was his faithful companion Muromtseva. At that moment they were short of money. Bunin had nothing to even pay the couriers who brought congratulatory telegrams.

Not everyone agreed with the award, the poetess Marina Tsvetaeva expressed dissatisfaction and said that there were more deserving candidates.

One way or another, Bunin received 715 thousand francs. He never lived richly, which is probably why he could not properly dispose of the bonus. He arranged a luxurious holiday, and distributed most of the reward to those in need. He invested the remaining amount in the business, but did not receive a profit – he went bankrupt.

3. Has always been in excellent physical shape

Bunin can become a motivation for many modern people. There were no gyms at that time, but he was in excellent physical shape. He was a very active person: he loved horseback riding, had plasticity, and danced well. With all this, the writer could sometimes pretend to be sick. He loved being looked after and shown compassion.

2. Admired Pushkin

Ivan Alekseevich from childhood admired the work of Pushkin. The great Russian writer was very popular in the Bunin family. Everyone without exception read it, his poems were known by heart by both parents, brothers and sisters.

By the way, Pushkin was a distant relative of Bunin: their maternal great-grandmothers were sisters. In his youth, Bunin idolized Alexander Sergeevich and even dreamed of writing a book about him. He said that Pushkin was for him “not reading, but a real part of life“. It is not surprising that with such family ties, Bunin became a famous writer.

No matter what they say, talent is inherited. Bunin had someone to look up to, and he was able to justify the hopes placed on him. Most readers consider Ivan Alekseevich the last classical Russian writer.

1. He kept a diary throughout his life.

Throughout his long life, Bunin kept diaries, but not all of them have survived.. Part was destroyed, the other was buried before leaving Russia. In 1925, fragments of the notes were published in a Parisian émigré newspaper. “Cursed Days”, they were later published in the form of a book, but there is information that the work differs significantly from the diary.

There are other records that have survived to this day. Anyone can read Bunin’s diary (from 1881 to 1953). Some readers are happy to return to them several more times. They say that the diary is unusually interesting, easy to read. In addition, this is a great opportunity to get to know your favorite writer better.