In Reply to: I am aware of his novels and read the shortest one grits mentions. I'll probably posted by tinear on December 7, 2011 at 20:27:18:
In my view, the two books I mentioned are the only ones deserving the serious attention, they are far ahead of his other writing. The Gulag is a must.
Speaking of history of that period, we tend to concentrate on big characters, you mention Trotsky and he certainly deserves attention.
However... the true horror of the regime can be felt through examining the lives of its working bees.
There is a story of one such participant... the man looked like your average bookkeeper, wore round glasses and carried the usual briefcase with lunch inside... he went to work on Lubianka every morning, and every evening came back home for dinner.
Few people knew that his day consisted of shooting prisoners. On some day that meek looking guy killed up to 500 prisoners - there is no mistake in that number.
THIS is the true face of horror.
He died, BTW, peacefully, living quietly on his pension.
Anyway, you are right, visiting those cities would be quite interesting, must less Moscow than St. Petersburg, and the Hermitage and the city around it are truly unforgettable.
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Follow Ups
- RE: I am aware of his novels and read the shortest one grits mentions. I'll probably - Victor Khomenko 06:07:16 12/08/11 (7)
- One of the Russian history documentaries I saw some years ago, I recall, did - tinear 08:14:45 12/08/11 (6)
- I will try to fit it in the stream of light and mindless French comedies - Victor Khomenko 08:57:41 12/08/11 (5)
- What about the one where they were at a big Stalin party . . . - mr grits 18:47:29 12/08/11 (1)
- I think I know what you are talking about... - Victor Khomenko 12:27:15 12/09/11 (0)
- "The Master and Margarita" had freakish humor. nt - tinear 10:04:08 12/08/11 (2)
- It was OK, but the best film on Bulgakov's prose, bar none, was... - Victor Khomenko 13:51:46 12/08/11 (1)
- 10 AMERICAN dollars? Whew.... Okay, I'll probably take the plunge, but I wish you'd open a Russian - tinear 13:13:57 12/09/11 (0)