is isbn: 9789713997026 and comes from the gulags in a different direction than say in isbn:0813332899,0813332907,0813332915* which is the definitive gulag texts by Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn and others by taking things from the family left behind aspect.
Soviet family life was a prime target for removal by ‘new soviet life’ and while Russians talk of events, they did not dwell on the family so this is a comrade citizens view on Lenin and Stalin and ilk. The book either won an award or was shortlisted for one and being at loose end for other books to read.
It is not often that you meet one of the figures that might have inspired George Orwell, and Elizaveta Drabkina and her missing father tale is one of those. In fact a lot of 1984 seemed to be a reality in 1936.
Books like this tend to be long, ponderous and over translated (well thats Russian literature) for you but the author of the book picks up the the baton and keeps it moving without the usual baggage gulag literature has which i think is due to an honesty that time allows for, although the murder,scams and other corrupt ‘peoples liberation’ stuff certainly does not wash out.
Perhaps the book suffers too much from relying on famous citizens at the end, but the message is clear – there’s been a lot of damage and passivity created.
It is no substitute for Solzhenitsyn* but is a worthwhile read 3/5 bananas. Despite the size of the book you only need to read 670 pages of it. Your library should be able to obtain it for you.
One also might accuse western politicians trying to emulate Stalin today so watch out.
* all three worth reading 6/5 bananas
