Volodymyr Malyk

Volodymyr Malyk (Ukrainian: Володимир Малик; real name Volodymyr Sychenko; born 21 February 1921 in Kyiv Oblast, Ukrainian SSR, died 31 August 1998)^[1] is a Soviet/Ukrainian writer.

Taiemnyi posol[]

Taiemnyi posol are the most prominent series of Malyk's historical novels. The novels tell about the adventures of fictional Cossack hero Arsen Zvenyhora, also portraying some notable figures and events of 17th century Ukraine, Russia, Ottoman Empire and other countries. Heavily influenced by Marxism and the official Soviet view of Muscovy-Ukraine relations, those novels may still pose an exciting popular reading on the topic.

The series include:

• Посол Урус-Шайтана (Ambassador of Urus-Shaitan) (1968)
• Фірман султана (Firman of the Sultan) (1969)
• Чорний вершник (Black rider) (1976)
• Шовковий шнурок (Silk lace) (1977)

Arsen Zvenyhora[]

The main character Arsen Zvenyhora is a sort of "17th century James Bond": an action hero and polyglot, easily adapting to rapidly changing circumstances and ethno-cultural environments. The character is exaggeratedly positive: almighty leader and generous friend, a loyal lover and vassal. Thus, Zvenyhora looks like an archetypal knight of the first historical novels. The plot of the novel reject the idea of a ‘good tsar’. The main character, who is an ordinary Cossack, eclipses the figures of the representatives of the upper class, who appear greedy and dishonest.^[2]

Horyt' svicha[]

Horyt' svicha (The candle is burning) was published in 1992. The novel tells about the Mongol invasion into the territory of Eastern Ukraine and the siege of Kyiv. The primary role in the novel is given to ordinary people living in communities. The author thanks the termination of the Mongol invasion precisely to that people and instead blames the elites for lack of coordination and wisdom.^[2]

See also[]

• History of the Cossacks

References[]

Notes[]

• Минуле з висоти сучасності by Г.Я.Сергієнко, a review to: Малик В. Твори в 2-х томах. К.: Дніпро, 1986. - С.3-14 (The author cites Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels and Vissarion Belinsky to prove Malyk's loyalty and usefulness for Soviet ideology.)

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