Sheer Cold: A Year of Russian Literature

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Reflections on a Year of Reading Russian Literature

Heart of a Dog by Mikhail Bulgakov

We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

I Want to Live by Nina Lugovskaya

Alix and Nicky by Virginia Rounding

                Reading through the wide range of Russian literature I chose this year has shown me a great number of aspects of the country, such as its famous history and the thoughts and opinions of some of its very insightful authors. It's certainly a different world than home, and its past shows a great number of hardships and dark, cold times. It's literature is rich in absurdity and impact-fulness, leaving you both confused and somehow profoundly touched at the same time. Each of the stories I read had a passionate reason to exist, some to warn the people of the world, and some to reflect on our own inner-workings. Some common themes I picked up on, especially in the two sci-fi stories I read, were the human mind and what happens at its core, when you break it down. The past was also a common theme in that the reader would be taken back in time to look at the mistakes and stories of years ago to learn and understand the present and the future. The authors all had drastically different styles, but you can definitely pick up on recurring elements such as eeriness or even love in several different cases.

                Heart of a Dog taught me not only about humanity but also about the morality of animal experimentation. Seeing how far the characters went in this story irked me in a strange way, I felt very uneasy throughout the story. But I definitely took something from all of that, something that's hard to describe but in a way it feels like I had my own morality tested. I saw what they did to the dog in the story, and it peaked my interest despite how arguably wrong it all was. I don't know if I took a solid lesson from it, but I saw a lot of myself and people in general in it.

                We had a much deeper effect on me, showing me what the future may be like one day in a world where we give up everything and lose our will to the powerful. Just like 1984, it taught me a great deal about enjoying freedom and not taking our rights for granted. It was a powerful story with a tragic ending where the protagonist had freedom right in front of him for a glimpse of a moment and had it taken away. It made me wish for something like this to never happen to us as people.

                In I Want to Live, I was shown what it was like for a teenage girl to live in 1930s-1940s Russia, seeing her family and friends be taken away for good, and even having her own life be at great risk almost all of the time. It put things into a new perspective for me, showing me that not only am I extremely lucky to be as comfortable in life as I can be, but also that even during a terrible crisis people are still people. Even teenagers still deal with the same emotional issues during times like that, even having all of that on top of what was going on only makes it all much worse. This story taught me not only about that, but just in general what it feels like to deal with it all.

              Lastly, Alix and Nicky showed me not only a great deal about Russian history, but also about the difficulties of ruling over a collapsing and changing country. In the end, the both of them were overthrown and killed due to not being able to handle leadership and no longer being needed by the new government that was forming. This story taught me that even the most rich and powerful leaders are flawed, and even they must deal with terrible circumstances such as Alix and Nicky's son who had several serious health issues. It showed me the mistakes that may lead to one's own demise and how sometimes, despite good intentions, you can still be overthrown by the more powerful.

                The most I can take away from this project is that while I didn't enjoy it, I did actually find some substance to it. Reading through these different tales of fiction and nonfiction showed me a lot about myself and unsurprisingly Russia. There were times where I truly did have my interest peaked, and those were the times I'll remember from all of this. I can't say I'm entirely ecstatic that I went through all of it, but I can say that I'm glad that I was able to pick out some pretty great stories and learn about another place in the world that isn't my own. Mostly, I learned that I really do enjoy fiction more than nonfiction, there's something about suspending my belief in order to be taken to a world where things work differently that appeals to me so much more than going through hundreds of pages of a somewhat accurate retelling of a Tsar and his wife. Many aspects of nonfiction are great, but sometimes the truth isn't all that spectacular, at least in the case of literature and entertainment. Still, reading about Russia this year was certainly an experience.

Word Count: 862

[evan-s0]

Week 20

Title: Alix and Nicky

Author: Virginia Rounding

Pages Read: 421-450

Word Count: 540

Summary:

In the final section of the book, things begin to tense up immensely as we enter World War I where Nicky takes charge of Russia's military while Alix is being suspected of being a German spy. Things truly begin to take a turn for the worst however as starvation sets in and Nicky tries desperately to keep things together in the country. Alix constantly sends letters to Nicky insisting that he is still the true ruler of Russia. Things finally come to a bloody end when, on July 17 1918, in the early hours of the morning, their home was stormed by the new revolutionary government. They, including their children, servants, and their doctor, were all forced into the basement and executed by gunfire and many stabbings. The book ends with a summary of the events to come in the many years following, and mentions as a final note that their bodies weren't discovered until 80 years after their death, in the 1970s, where they were finally buried.

Critical Analysis:

Rounding talks about how Alix dealt with Nicky being gone by using “work and activity, rather than invalidity, as a partial cure for unhappiness.” From events like this, we grow to understand the type of person Alix is, sympathetic yet strong-willed. She’s a person of power who also understands and feels for the ones below her. We also see Nicky’s faults here, as Rounding mentions how “indecisiveness had become the failing most often attributed to him” especially by “those who found themselves affected by it.” So we learn some of some key traits of both of these important characters.

Personal Response:

Overall, Alix and Nicky by Virginia Rounding is an interesting look into the history of Russia before and during WWI and a really insightful retelling of the lives of the last Tsar of Russia and his wife. Both of them are very complex characters with many faults and emotions that effect not only themselves but other people around them. At some points they even effect the country itself. At times the story really drags on with the politics of the country and a lot of very specific events that aren't particularly interesting, but for the most part I'd say it was a solid read. Being a fairly lengthy book, you have to really be intrigued by the topic to stay with it throughout. I wasn't too fond of the subject, but I found many parts enjoyable, such as Alix and Nicky themselves, who I greatly enjoyed as characters. The two of them never failed to interest me, it was the side characters who typically put me to sleep. At the end of the day though, these aren't really “characters”, they were actual people who's lives are being retold here, so it isn't particularly the author's fault their stories weren't very strong. As a whole, I would say I mostly enjoyed the book, but I think it desperately needs to be cut down and shortened, because there is definitely a lot of extra fat that needs to be trimmed off, but at it's core I would recommend this book to anyone who has a strong passion for Russia and its history, and anyone who enjoys a sort of real-life tragedy.

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Indecisiveness had become the failing most often attributed to him, particularly by those who found themselves affected by it.

Virginia Rounding, Alix and Nicky (pg. 441)

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Nicky, as is evident from the time he had exhausted Anastasia, took his walking very seriously. He refused to allow any business talk during these excursions, but liked to be entertained with amusing anecdotes.

Virginia Rounding, Alix and Nicky (pg. 426)

[evan-s0]

Week 19 Blog

Title: Alix and Nicky

Author: Virginia Rounding

Pages Read: 350-420

Word Count: 351

Summary:

This section talks about the love Alix and Nicky share for one another and their deep religious beliefs, going further into Alix’s specifically and how it controls a lot of her decisions and also the way she lives. There are a lot of mentions of them participating in deeply religious activities such as praying and doing different rituals. Part of it delves into the heir to the thrown as well, talking about his illness as well as his relationship with both of his parents and how he is being prepared for the future. We see more of the Tsar’s tough choices and a lot of politics of the country are talked about.

Critical Analysis:

Rounding teaches us a lot about Alix in this section, specifically about her strength and compassion in dealing with different situations. An example of this is when Rounding talks about how Alix dealt with Nicky being gone by using “work and activity, rather than invalidity, as a partial cure for unhappiness” or when she “intervened in the case of one of her wounded officers” that was being asked to return to battle at a time Alix “[seemed] to feel [was] too early.” From these events we grow to understand the type of person Alix is, sympathetic yet strong-willed. She’s a person of power who also understands and feels for the ones below her.

Personal Response:

Things are beginning to pick up a bit more as the story talks more about the politics of the country and how Nicky deals with them, so it’s picked up my attention slightly more. Even so, it still continues to have the same issues as I said before. It just doesn’t really catch my interest in any way, and that’s just a bias of mine. Alix and Nicky are both very complex however, so I do enjoy when it talks about them. What I don’t really enjoy is reading about all of the politics that keep being mentioned whenever the story is not talking about Alix and Nicky, which is a lot. Anyway, I hope to finish this book soon and move on.

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Suffice it to say here that Nicholas and Alexandra both took their religion very seriously—the kissing of icons and the attendance at the divine liturgy evident in the descriptions of the tercentenary celebrations being no empty show for them, but undertaken with the utmost seriousness.

Virginia Rounding, Alix and Nicky (pg. 412)

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It quickly became apparent that the attitudes and behavior of the members of the First Duma were not proving satisfactory to the Tsar and his ministers, and it could only be a matter of time before it was dissolved. Once the Tsar had made up his mind, he was ready to take firm and decisive action.

Virgnia Rounding, Alix and Nicky (pg. 394)

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But quite apart from specific language difficulties, Alix had still not mastered the art of making conversation, her shyness proving to be a severe disability.

Virginia Rounding, Alix and Nicky (pg. 376) 

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Alix’s faith in God helped give her strength on the rare occasions (at the period) when Nicky went traveling farther afield than from one imperial palace to another.

Virginia Rounding, Alix and Nicky (pg. 355)

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Week 18 Blog

Title: Alix and Nicky

Author: Virginia Rounding

Pages Read: 311-350

Word Count: 415

Summary:

In this part of the biography we learn more about the politics of the Tsar’s rule and a lot about the difficult decisions he had to make, but also about how strong of a leader he became. We see more of the relationship between him and Alix and the struggles they encounter as well as the passion they have for one another. There is a heavy focus on the faults of both Alix and Nicky, as we learn of some of their shortcomings through life, especially through Nicky’s failures as a leader. Despite that, we also see Nicky put his foot down as he takes charge through multiple fairly important events that occur.

Critical Analysis:

Rounding puts the focus on both of these characters through these chapters as she shows us some of their deeper personality traits, such as how shy Alix tended to be. Rounding writes that Alix had “still not mastered the art of making conversation” and that her shyness was “proving to be a severe disability.” We also see Nicky’s faults as well, as Rounding mentions how “indecisiveness had become the failing most often attributed to him” especially by “those who found themselves affected by it.” So we learn some of the traits that bring both of these characters down, that being shyness and indecisiveness, and how these traits affected those around them.

Personal Response:

I’m starting to almost lose track of where this biography is going, and not having the best understanding of Russian history doesn’t exactly help. At first this book did grab my attention, but it’s slowly fading away to the point where everything I read feels a bit mundane and repetitive. Some chapters of this book are dedicated solely to one single event or one single person, and they seem to drag out a lot. That’s just my personal bias however, I still think Rounding is an excellent writer and I’m sure that anyone who has the patience or the passion for Russian history would certainly love this book, and that’s not to say that I haven’t enjoyed it at all either. I just find it very difficult to keep going at some points where the story just comes to a halt to focus on such details that don’t seem overly important. Some people prefer this type of biography, where every bit of the person’s life is delved into and every little event is talked about, but for my own likeness it’s just not my cup of tea.

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...Alix's letter to her husband of March 3, 1917 when she had just learned of his abdication: 'I hold you tight, tight in my arms and will never let them touch your shining soul.

Virginia Rounding, Alix and Nicky (pg 341)

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The Emperor left us for an official visit to the King of Italy, and on the day of his departure the Empress, greatly depressed, shut herself up in her own room refusing to see anyone, even the children.

Virginia Rounding, Alix and Nicky (pg. 333)

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It quickly became apparent that the attitudes and behavior of the members of the First Duma were not proving satisfactory to the Tsar and his ministers, and it could only be a matter of time before it was dissolved. Once the Tsar had made up his mind, he was ready to take firm and decisive action.

Virginia Rounding, Alix and Nicky (pg. 322)

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Week 17 Blog

Title: Alix and Nicky

Author: Virginia Rounding

Pages Read: 236-310

Word Count: 363

Summary:

In this part of the biography we learn more about the politics of the Tsar’s rule and a lot about the difficult decisions he had to make, but also about how strong of a leader he became. We see more of the relationship between him and Alix and the struggles they encounter as well as the passion they have for one another. There is a heavy focus on the faults of both Alix and Nicky, as we learn of some of their shortcomings through life, especially through Nicky’s failures as a leader. Despite that, we also see Nicky put his foot down as he takes charge through multiple fairly important events that occur.

Critical Response:

Rounding shows us more of the romantic and loving side of Alix in this section. We see this especially when, as Rounding puts it, “She is suddenly cheered by the unexpected arrival of a particularly loving letter from her husband, and now she pours out to him how much she misses him, longing to be in his arms, and to receive the kisses that he, being shy, only gives her in the dark.” Despite her troubles, she still loves her husband deeply and misses him with great passion. As for the son, we learn that he feels confident about becoming the next one to inherit the throne. Rounding writes that he “already had a strong sense of himself as the future Tsar” and that “his natural inclination would have been to be alongside his father.” He’s clearly set to become the next Tsar, and his confidence shows this.

Personal Response:

This book isn't very interesting anymore, at this point I just hope it's over soon. It's way too long for it's own good, and the story of these two isn't compelling enough to keep me wanting to find out what happens next. The politics and the little snippets of their lives were fun and a nice insight into their lives at first, but now the politics take the spotlight half the time and the other half is spent focusing on other people that aren't Alix and Nicky. I will keep reading it but only because I've come this far.

[evan-s0]

She is suddenly cheered by the unexpected arrival of a particularly loving letter from her husband, and now she pours out to him how much she misses him, longing to be in his arms, and to receive the kisses that he, being shy, only gives her in the dark.

Virginia Rounding, Alix and Nicky (pg. 255)

[evan-s0]

Week 16 Blog

Title: Alix and Nicky

Author: Virginia Rounding

Pages Read: 171-235

Word Count: 351

Summary: 

This section talks about the love Alix and Nicky share for one another and their deep religious beliefs, going further into Alix's specifically and how it controls a lot of her decisions and also the way she lives. There are a lot of mentions of them participating in deeply religious activities such as praying and doing different rituals. Part of it delves into the heir to the thrown as well, talking about his illness as well as his relationship with both of his parents and how he is being prepared for the future. We see more of the Tsar's tough choices and a lot of politics of the country are talked about.

Critical Analysis:

Rounding teaches us a lot about Alix in this section, specifically about her strength and compassion in dealing with different situations. An example of this is when Rounding talks about how Alix dealt with Nicky being gone by using “work and activity, rather than invalidity, as a partial cure for unhappiness” or when she “intervened in the case of one of her wounded officers” that was being asked to return to battle at a time Alix “[seemed] to feel [was] too early.” From these events we grow to understand the type of person Alix is, sympathetic yet strong-willed. She's a person of power who also understands and feels for the ones below her.

Personal Response:

Things are beginning to pick up a bit more as the story talks more about the politics of the country and how Nicky deals with them, so it's picked up my attention slightly more. Even so, it still continues to have the same issues as I said before. It just doesn't really catch my interest in any way, and that's just a bias of mine. Alix and Nicky are both very complex however, so I do enjoy when it talks about them. What I don't really enjoy is reading about all of the politics that keep being mentioned whenever the story is not talking about Alix and Nicky, which is a lot. Anyway, I hope to finish this book soon and move on.

[evan-s0]

On March 2, Alix reports to Nicky that she has intervened in the case of one of her wounded officers who has received orders to return to active service at a time that she seems to feel is too early

Virgnia Rounding, Alix and Nicky (pg. 223)