Reporting from a confused, crumbling Soviet empire, Remnick has tried his best to give voice to the people he met during his time there. When I started reading the book, I knew it was going to be one of my favorites.

I have already written several blogs about different chapters from the book. Perhaps (I am sure) I will write more. The book is filled with Remnick’s astute observations about people he interviewed and dark/dry humor, for example, In the chapter Ninotchka he Remnick is recalling his meeting with Nina Aleksandrova and her husband who were Stalinists. Nina Aleksandrova cooked him a fine meal and Remnick writes:

‘Russian reactionaries, I had been discovering, were fine cooks.’

At another point in the book, in the chapter titled ‘Written on the Water’, Remnick is interviewing Djugashvili – ‘Djugashvili the son of Yakov [Stalin’s son] who was captured by Nazis and, when Stalin refused or failed to win his release, was executed.’

Djugashvili, while talking with Remnick raises a toast to Stalin – “…These people should be punished and their lies exposed! I think there will come a day when Soviet people will give their evaluation. And so … to Stalin!”

Remnick writes: “To Stalin,” I said. And may God forgive me.

Although the second instance was not funny, the situation made me smirk a little when I first read it. Remnick has sprayed such one-liners, gems if you ask me, all over the book.

Anyway, it is enlightening, engaging and a genuine portrayal of the falling state through the eyes of its people and its rulers. I would highly recommend it.

Image source: goodreads

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