Christianity in Bakhtin

This book examines the influence of Christianity on the thought and work of the great Russian theorist Mikhael Bakhtin, paying particular attention to the motifs of God the Creator, the Fall, the Incarnation and Christian love. This is the first full-length work to approach Bakhtin from a religious perspective, and introduces the reader to a vitally important but hitherto ignored aspect of his work. In this context Ruth Coates presents readings of Bakhtin very different from those of Marxist and Structuralist critics.

"...potent and truly unique body of work, which could serve to invigorate Christian thinking about the humanities and the social sciences." Books & Culture

"...Coates has produced a fine analysis of a number of possible Christian subtexts in Bakhtin's writings. She has also taken a very sound view on the problem of the authorship if the disputed texts produced within the Bakhtin Circle." The Russian Review, vol.59

"Her metaphorical approach proves effective in tracing the development of Bakhtin's aesthetics." Slavic ad East European Jrnl