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Lädt ... Reflections on the Russian Soulvon Dmitry S. Likhachev
Keine Keine aktuelle Diskussion zu diesem Buch.  KENNERLYDAN | Jul 11, 2021 |  keine Rezensionen | Rezension hinzufügen
This compelling and often traumatic book is the memoir of one of the most important figures in modern Russian history, Dmitry S. Likhachev, revered as ‘a guardian of national culture’. Reflections on the Russian Soul is an incredible account of an intellectual’s turbulent journey through twentieth century Russia. Likhachev re-counts the fortunes of people with whom he came into contact and reproduces the air of passed years in Russia. Likhachev vividly portrays his childhood years in St. Petersburg and continues into his student life at Leningrad University that led to an agonizing period of imprisonment and near death. He describes how a harmless prank caught the attention of the Secret Police, resulting in his exile and confinement within the infamous prison island of Solovki. He describes his first-hand experience of brutality in prison during the early Stalin years and the incident that not only saved him but also haunted him for the rest of his life. He reflects on the years after his release from prison and the events leading up to the Second World War. His powerful recollection of the blockade of Leningrad provides the reader with a horrific insight into the harsh effects of war, hunger and survival. Lichachev goes on to describe post-war Russia and how his own livelihood developed from literary editor to a return to Leningrad University as Professor of History. This compelling autobiography finishes with Likhachev’s poignant return to Solovki as a free man. Keine Bibliotheksbeschreibungen gefunden. |
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 Google Books — Lädt ...GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)947.086History and Geography Europe Russia and eastern Europe [and formerly Finland] Russian & Slavic History by Period 1855- 1991-Klassifikation der Library of Congress [LCC] (USA)BewertungDurchschnitt: (2.5)
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Arrested for no good reason (the overwhelming norm), Likhachov experienced months in prison and several years in a Soviet labor camp on the White Sea where Stalin had decided in 1931 to build in a hurry, with forced manual camp labor, a canal from the White Sea to Lake Onega, so connecting the White Sea indirectly to the Baltic Sea. Around 15,000 of the workers died thus. Likhachov also survived the 872-day siege of Leningrad, which was isolated by the Germans during WW2, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths per month from starvation. He somehow maintained his good morals and strength of character. His survival was largely a matter of luck.
During these experiences Likhachov met many other intellectuals, 95% of whom even the well-read in Russian literature and history will never have heard of. It seems that much of the book was about those people and so was of minor interest. (Of the remaining 5%, little of note is reported.)
Likhachov's experiences in the labor camp and the Leningrad siege were of interest, but there are a number of books about those that are more absorbing and informative. Thus this book is apparently of substantial interest only to Russian readers familiar with the Russian intellectuals whom Likhachov reminisces about. They may read it in Russian.
Thus I don't understand why this was translated into English. As to the writing style, for a memoir it is satisfactory, but for a book of possible interest to the general reader, it is as if composed by a commonplace writer in serious need of an editor. There is very little about Old Russian literature, the writer's primary academic interest, or about the author's other considerable work, dedicated to preserving the best in Russian culture.
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