It is difficult to imagine modern Russian literature without the unique metaphorical prose that Marina Stepnova gives the reader. Today she is the chief editor of the XXL men's magazine, a poet, prose writer, screenwriter and translator from Romanian. This woman is a true example of a purposeful creative person. Her genius and hard work brought her national fame and recognition in literary circles.
General biographical information
Marina Stepnova was born in the Tula region in the city of Efremov on September 2, 1971. The maiden name of the writer is Rovner. Her father was a soldier and her mother was a doctor. When the girl was 10 years old, her family moved to Chisinau, the capital of Moldova , where in 1988 she graduated from 56th high school and entered Chisinau State University. The first three years, Marina studied there at the Faculty of Philology, and then transferred to the Gorky Moscow Literary Institute to study as a translator. In 1994, the future writer received a master's degree at the institute and a diploma with honors. After that, Marina went to graduate school, where she studied in depth the work of A.P. Sumarokov. For more than 10 years, Marina Lvovna worked as an editor of various glossy magazines, for example, The Bodyguard. Since 1997, she became the editor of the popular men's magazine XXL.
Marina Lvovna is fluent in two languages besides Russian: Romanian and English. Currently lives in Moscow. The first husband of Marina Rovner was Arseny Konetsky (also a writer), whom she met in her student years at the Literary Institute. The writer even printed some of her first works under the name Konetskaya. Subsequently, Marina Lvovna remarried and took the name of her new husband, becoming Marina Stepnova.
Sometimes Marina Stepnova regrets that she did not receive the profession of a doctor, because she felt a calling and always wanted to do something significant. However, the writer's works convincingly prove that, choosing the literary path, she did not make a mistake. The life that Marina Stepnova leads , the biography of her career and achievements in prose literature indicate that success comes to those who are ready to work. Moreover, thanks to the work of the writer, it becomes clear that Russian literature continues to live, that not everything is said in it, but much remains to be said.
Creative activity of the author
In Stepnova’s translation work, one can distinguish the translation of the popular play “Nameless Star” by the Romanian author Mihai Sebastian, who perfectly conveyed the author’s idea without distorting the original originality of the text.
The writer began to publish her personal prose since 2000. For several years she was published in such magazines as The Banner, The Star, The New World. Her first major novel “The Surgeon”, which appeared in 2005, made a splash, critics even compared it with the famous novel by P. Suskind “Perfumer”. The Surgeon deservedly won the National Bestseller Prize. In 2011, another profound novel was born with a truly exciting storyline - “Women of Lazarus”, which received the third Big Book award and also entered the short list of the National Bestseller. Besides, Stepnova wrote the novel “Godless Lane”, the story “Somewhere Near Grosseto” and many others.
The first novel "The Surgeon"
As already mentioned, Marina Stepnova gained fame as a modern Russian writer thanks to the novel The Surgeon. According to the plot of the book, the fate of the plastic surgeon Khripunov unexpectedly intertwines with the life of the founder of the Assassin sect, Hassan ibn Sabbah. This novel topped the book sales ratings.
The novel "Women of Lazarus"
The next bestseller of the author (“Women of Lazarus”) finally convinced readers that the literary success of Marina Lvovna was not accidental. The plot of the novel, according to the plan, which was Marina Stepnova - a biography of the brilliant scientist Lindt Lazarus. The reader learns the exciting story of his love, empathizes with his losses and watches the development of his genius. On the pages of this book, such familiar concepts as home, family, happiness and love take on an unexpected and completely new meaning. It is not surprising that “Women of Lazarus” is a novel that has become the book of the month and set a real sales record in the large bookstore “Moscow”.
The novel "Godless Lane"
The main character of the third novel, which Marina Stepnova pleased her fans, was the doctor Ivan Ogarev. From childhood, this man tried to live against the will of his parents and generally accepted opinion. The script given by someone and once - school-army-work, did not suit him. However, over time, Ivan nevertheless accepted the conditions under which a "normal" adult should live. He graduated from medical school, got married and began working in a private clinic. However, unexpectedly, Ogarev’s life is turned over by a meeting with a strange girl who loves freedom the most.
New works
The novel "Lithopedion", which is still being worked on, also promises to make a lasting impression on the minds and imagination of readers. Its plot will tell about people who kill their dreams with their own hands. The name of the novel is a precise metaphor, the word "lithopedion" is borrowed from medicine and translated from Latin means a fetus that has petrified in the womb.
Colleagues reviews
The writer Zakhar Prilepin praises the vocabulary used by the writer Marina Stepnova in his works. He notes that the writer forms her thought with amazing ease, which can be compared equally with how the mother swaddles the baby and how the experienced warrior dismantles the weapon. Prilepin calls Stepnova’s work not tremulous female needlework, but really muscular expressive prose.
Reader Impressions
Many readers also note the unique style and style of the writer. The language of her books is called sharp, humorous and even brilliant. A lot of people say that Stepnova’s novels are read easily, almost in one breath, and their stories are very vital and make you think about many important philosophical things. Many agree that Marina Stepnova is a writer who has become a real discovery.
Of course, not without criticism. Some readers believe that the plots of Stepnova’s novels are not well thought out, that the author admits unnecessary pointless details that only tire when reading them. Others criticize the writer's syllable, considering it sometimes too harsh, due to the presence of swear words in the text. Marina Stepnova appreciates the reviews of her readers, even critical ones, but also knows how to defend her position, her perception of reality and how and what to talk about in the novel. The main thing that the author is trying to achieve is realism, when the heroes of the novel are like real living people.
Of course, it is worth remembering that all people are different, their perception of literature is fundamentally different. Before drawing up your final opinion on the novels of Marina Stepnova, of course, it is worth personally reading them. Perhaps you will discover something completely new and original, full of unexpectedly deep and subtle meaning.