BRODSKY AMONG US

Ellendea and Carl Proffer were single handedly responsible for publishing Russian work in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The poet Joseph Brodsky was one of their great supporters. Ellendea has written a beautiful memoir, based on her expierences.

Carl and Ellendea Proffer founded Ardis Publishers in Ann Arbor, Michigan after traveling numerous times to the Soviet Union and developing relationships with the Russian intelligentsia and dissidents both in and outside the country. They were single handedly responsible for publishing Russian work which was not available anywhere both in English and Russian. One of those who was greatly helped by the Proffers and with whom they had a close relationship was the poet Joseph Brodsky. Ellendea has written a beautiful memoir, based of course on her own experiences but also on the extensive notes of her late husband Carl, of the sometimes turbulent but always loving relationship between the couple and the wild poet.