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Molotov's Magic Lantern: A Journey In Russian History (2010)

by Rachel Polonsky(Favorite Author)

3.52 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0571237800 (ISBN13: 9780571237807)

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

Faber & Faber

review 1: I found this a grueling subject but an intriguing one very well written about. The author, a Russian scholar from Oxford, living in Moscow in the 1990s, found that the appartment above hers had belonged to Stalin's number two Molotov and the banker who now lived there gave her a key to study Molotov's library that was still there. So she was able to see all his books and also read his annotations. She uses this as the basis for her travels throughout rapidly changing Russia to follow up on authors and topics suggested by Molotov's library. In doing so she drills down into the Gulags, Chekhov, Siberia, and many aspects of Stalin's Soviet Union and into the head of Molotov too. I strongly recommend this for reading on days when you are feeling strong or need diversion from h... moreard times in your own life. It puts it all in perspective.
review 2: I couldn't finish the book, not because of lack of interest but because it is a challenging read. This is a book to read solely, not in the midst of other titles and it requires dedication. The hardest part for me was keeping track of all the Russian surnames (and sometimes first names). I will return to this book, perhaps next summer, when I have the focus and will to dedicate to it. And perhaps I'll make a key for myself of all the names and times that they lived at No. 3. less

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