ABOUT THIS BOOKLiterature and Revolution by Leon Trotsky explores the relationship between literature and revolutionary politics. The book critiques various literary trends and schools from a Marxist perspective. Trotsky argues that economic stability and comfort are necessary for the development of socialist art. He emphasizes that new culture must emerge from the peasantry and workers, breaking from old bourgeois traditions. Analyzing figures like Kliuev, Yessenin, and the Serapion Fraternity, Trotsky critiques formalist poetry and advocates for art that reflects the proletariat's struggles. He calls for a new, optimistic, and collectivist art, rooted in the revolutionary process. Overall, Trotsky posits that creating a socialist art is vital for the success of the revolutionary epoch and the development of a culture beyond class distinctions.