Less Than One: Selected Essays

Introduction
"Less Than One: Selected Essays" is a collection of essays composed by Joseph Brodsky, among the most important poets and essayists of the 20th century. Brodsky was born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) in 1940, and he ultimately moved to the United States in 1972 after facing persecution from Soviet authorities due to his outspoken criticism of the routine. The essays in the collection take on numerous subjects, from literature and poetry to politics, history, and individual experiences.

Picture of a Lady: Marina Tsvetaeva
In this essay, Brodsky discusses the life and works of Russian poet Marina Tsvetaeva, who is considered one of the best poets in Russian literature. He looks into her bio, concentrating on her terrible life, psychological hardships, and eventual suicide throughout World War II. Brodsky's adoration for Tsvetaeva's poetic genius is evident, as he goes over the unique qualities of her poetry - its strength, musical rhythm, and the keen sense of catastrophe that pervades her work.

A Guide to a Renamed City
"A Guide to a Renamed City" is Brodsky's tribute to his hometown, Leningrad. This essay touches on the city's intricate history, architecture, and culture, providing insights into the grim realities of life under Soviet rule. Brodsky likewise reflects on the city's illustrious past, under the names of St. Petersburg and Petrograd, connecting these 3 various periods and pointing out both the charm and the discomfort they represent. In this essay, Brodsky shows his deep love and nostalgia for the city, regardless of the suffering that it triggered him and lots of others.

In a Room and a Half
This moving essay works as an autobiographical sketch of Brodsky's early life in Leningrad. It focuses on the oppressive, claustrophobic environment of the communal apartment where he lived with his family. Brodsky discusses his relationships with his parents and their influence on his advancement as a poet and intellectual. He likewise reviews the obstacles and experiences that shaped his life, including his work as a stoker and his trial and subsequent five-year sentence for "social parasitism". This essay offers valuable insights into the formative experiences that shaped Brodsky as an author.

Less Than One
The title essay of the collection, "Less Than One", is an exploration of Brodsky's identity as a Russian poet living in exile. He delves into the complexities of his dual existence, being both Russian and American, and the sensations of loneliness and disconnection that accompany his life in exile. Nevertheless, Brodsky likewise discovers solace in his writing, suggesting that the task of the writer is to produce unity out of the fragments of one's experience and identity.

World Literature in Review: Nadezhda Mandelstam
In this essay, Brodsky takes a look at the memoirs of Nadezhda Mandelstam, the other half of Russian poet Osip Mandelstam, who was persecuted and ultimately killed under Stalin's regime. Brodsky praises the memoirs for their effective evocation of a tragic duration in Russian history and the durability and guts that Nadezhda shows in the face of adversity.

Conclusion
"Less Than One: Selected Essays" provides valuable insights into the mind of Joseph Brodsky, one of the most influential literary figures of the 20th century. The essays in this collection reveal not just his deep understanding and appreciation of literature and poetry, however likewise his individual experience of living under an oppressive routine and in exile. Brodsky's writing is full of wit, erudition and extensive observations about the human condition. This collection is a must-read for anybody interested in comprehending the complicated interplay between literature, politics, and individual experience.