Abstract: The article is devoted to the problem of reception of the theory of the polyphonic novel by M.M. Bakhtin in Russian literary studies. The theory of the polyphonic novel by M.M. Bakhtin has been attracting the attention of researchers for more than 90 years. To date, a large number of works devoted to the study of Bakhtin's polyphonic theory have been published in Russia. A broad dialogue between researchers led to an increase in the degree of perception of Bakhtin's polyphonic theory, as well as to the deepening of research on Dostoevsky's novels. The purpose of our work is to identify the state and main trends in the reception of the theory of Bakhtin's polyphonic novel in Russia. In the article, the author gives an idea of the gradual development of Bakhtin's polyphonic idea in Russian literary studies, analyzes the specifics of the reception of the theory of the polyphonic novel at each stage. Based on the analysis, we came to the conclusion that the reception of Bakhtin's polyphonic novel theory in Russian literary studies is connected not only with the publication of the book by the scientist Dostoevsky, but also with the state of perception of Dostoevsky's work, and the hottest discussions in the process of receiving Bakhtin's theory are around the question of the independence of the voices of heroes and the role of the author in Dostoevsky's polyphonic novel, Bakhtin's methodological approach to the analysis of Dostoevsky's creativity. The scientific novelty of this work lies in the fact that the author considers various interpretations of the theory of Bakhtin's polyphonic novel in Russian literary studies.