The author of this article raises the question of the conceptual status of the «digest» and its artistic originality. A distinction is made between a «book» and a «digest». The historical and cultural origins of the formation of the «digest» as a form of representation of self-consciousness are revealed. For this purpose, collections by D.S. Merezhkovsky, V.V. Rozanov, the publication activity of P.P. Pertsova are used. As a digest, the «Visiting Musician» by Bulat Okudzhava is analyzed. Analytical procedures are performed on the basis of hermeneutics, involving such concepts as self-consciousness, subjectivity, time, and the author’s personality. Features of subjectivity are manifested in autobiography, assessments of historical events and private life. It is noted that the narrative identity is provided by the personality of the author. The self-consciousness functions as the identity of the author in the changing life, and also provides the narrative of the actual story.
digest; book; self-consciousness; author’s personality; time dynamics; history narrative; subjectivity.