Comrade Stavsky!

Pay attention to Comrade Sobolev. He is, without doubt, a major talent (judging by his book Capital Repairs). He is, as is evident from his letter, capricious and uneven (he does not accept the "shafts"). But these traits, in my opinion, are inherent in all major literary talents (with perhaps a few exceptions).

One should not oblige him to write a second book of Capital Repairs. Such an obligation follows from nothing. One should not oblige him to write about collective farms or Magnitogorsk. One cannot write about such things under obligation.

Let him write what he wants and when he wants.

In short, let him get it out of his system... And look after him.

Greetings!

I. Stalin.

Istochnik. 1998. No. 3. P. 113.

AP RF. F. 45. Op. 1. D. 1118. L. 149.