The existence of the adventure feuilleton novel model in the unfinished works of the Siberian writer Valentin Kuritsyn

The article analyzes the existence of the Siberian adventure novel model in the unfinished works by Valentin Kuritsyn, a provincial author of the early 20th century: V zareve pozhara [In the Glow of the Fire], Tayny tomskikh nochey [Secrets of Tomsk Nights], V pogone za millionami [In Pursuit of Millions], which were published in the Tomsk newspaper Sibirskie otgolosky [Siberian Echoes]. The main research method is a comparative analysis, the results of which made it possible to identify the specific features of the Siberian adventure novel in the unfinished works of the writer. All Kuritsyn's novels have a common model according to which the narrative is built, regardless of the subject matter. Intrigue and the effect of deceived expectations were natural when creating adventure novels: they aimed to attract the attention of the public. In addition, the model includes the following features: several parallel adventurous storylines; asynchrony of actions; an extensive character system, including mysterious strangers, representatives of the “dark world” and femme fatales; imaginary cities and worlds; specific features due to the printing method (catchy headlines, short chapters that break off “at the most interesting place”). The skillful use of various techniques made it possible for the author to fulfill his main goal: to involve the reader in reading the novel through intrigue, an exciting plot, appeal to background knowledge and following recognizable literary traditions. Kuritsyn's first works, Tomsk Slums and A Man in a Mask, formed a kind of a model of the Siberian adventure novel that meets the requirements of the mass audience, and hence the interests of publishers. This allows us to speak about the beginning of the formation of commercial literature in Siberia. Unfortunately, the Tomsk writer did not manage to complete the works V zareve pozhara, Tayny tomskikh nochey, V pogone za millionami. The potential of the actually formed model of the Siberian adventure novel was not fully realized. Kuritsyn had no followers left, and, with the advent of the Revolution, the popular Tomsk Slums and A Man in a Mask were forgotten until 1970.

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