ABSTRACT
During his two terms as president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin was depicted in a number of works of fiction, either occupying centre stage, xiiperforming a secondary role, or making a cameo appearance. Written in a variety of genres, from short stories to full-scale novels, these works reflect a comprehensive range of political views and range across a wide geographical spread. Author’s licence means that the various fictional images of Putin diverge from the facts, as revealed in journalistic reports, interviews and memoirs. These various accounts reveal aspects of Putin’s personality and political style that cannot be learnt otherwise, and also reveal features of the Russian public discourse on the former president.
