"This genius writer lives among us—she is a miracle, an exception, the Queen of the Secret Kingdom. All of us, including me, are her subjects. Reading Lyudmila Petrushevskaya is as delightful as fortifying oneself with a healing elixir. I always want to enter her world, no matter where it takes me—even to execution. After the mundane, grayness of everyday life here, her work is always a gift."
— Renata Litvinova (Actress)

★ A curated collection of fairy tales by a Russian State Prize winner and classic literary author. All stories feature happy endings, conveying the power of kindness and justice.
★ Created impromptu for children, the book uses vivid, accessible language. Perfect for parent-child reading or aloud storytelling, it offers a deeply immersive experience.
★ Renowned actress Renata Litvinova praises the author as "the Queen of the Secret Kingdom," describing the reading experience as "like drinking a nourishing elixir."

What is Queen Lear: Wonderful Tales about?

Lyudmila Petrushevskaya is a classic of Russian literature and a brilliant storyteller. *Queen Lear* collects her selected fairy tales, whose protagonists—princesses and princes, kings and queens, as well as ordinary people—successfully navigate various trials and overcome all difficulties. Kindness and justice prevail, granting readers confidence, inspiration, and hope.

It is no secret that sometimes an old soul fades away in a person, and a new one takes shape—especially with age.

Petrushevskaya has stated that most of the fairy tales in *Queen Lear* were written for children—sometimes impromptu, such as for her six-year-old granddaughter Anyutka. The little girl was famous for her ability to “disappear,” so her grandmother held her hand tightly throughout their long journeys. But before setting off, she would ask: “Give me a theme.” Anyutka would say the first thing that came to mind, like “Prince with Golden Hair.” Then, throughout the journey, grandmother wove a tale about a little prince with truly golden hair that shone in the dark. The clever young girl listened intently, standing on tiptoes, fully absorbed: she worried for the characters but never cried. She waited for a happy ending—and it always came! Every fairy tale in this book has a happy ending. Read it! Even aloud.

The children wandered off, while the artist remained, staring at the paint stains on the asphalt. He thought this scene—made of earth, water, and tiny footprints—might be worthy of a museum. He just wasn’t sure which one: a soil museum or a museum of contemporary avant-garde art.

Lyudmila Stepanovna Petrushevskaya (May 26, 1938)

She is one of the most critically acclaimed contemporary Russian writers. She has received awards from almost all major Russian literary journals, numerous other literary honors, and the Russian State Prize.

The granddaughter of a renowned linguist, she initially did not plan a literary career. Instead, she chose journalism and enrolled in the relevant faculty at Moscow State University. Her early works included scripts for student skits and theatrical productions. She worked in television and major print media of the Soviet Union for many years.

Lyudmila Petrushevskaya’s first short story was published in the early 1970s, but her next publications did not appear until the perestroika period a decade later. Soviet editorial offices during the Brezhnev stagnation simply could not tolerate publishing prose addressing such acute and relevant social issues.

At the same time, the writer’s plays were staged by several amateur theater groups and later included in the repertoires of official theaters.

Lyudmila Petrushevskaya has created over 10 plays, numerous collections of short stories and fairy tales, 2 novels, and screenplays for many popular films.