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The Riven Heart of Moscow - by Mikhail Osorgin (Paperback)
About this item
Highlights
- In 1914, the Russian Empire is at its peak of affluence.
- Author(s): Mikhail Osorgin
- 498 Pages
- Fiction + Literature Genres, Classics
Description
About the Book
In 1914, the Russian Empire is at its peak of affluence. The future looks bright, and spring brings new promise with the migrating swallows heralding summer. Ivan Alexandrovich, internationally renowned professor...Book Synopsis
In 1914, the Russian Empire is at its peak of affluence. The future looks bright, and spring brings new promise with the migrating swallows heralding summer. Ivan Alexandrovich, internationally renowned professor of ornithology, lives with his granddaughter Tanyusha, an aspiring concert pianist, in their family villa in Sivtsev Vrazhek, a little lane in central Moscow. They hold weekly musical soirées, and entertain their friends ― dashing cadets, scientists, lawyers, and musicians. However, tectonic shifts are just around the corner and the ensuing catastrophic crisis will rip apart not only Russia, but also Europe and the entire world.The First World War, the Revolution of 1917, the fratricidal civil war in Russia, and the subsequent rise of the Red Terror will destroy many of the things previously considered certain and eternal. There will be death, hunger and loss, betrayal of and by friends, courageous ― if futile ― attempts to intercede on behalf of the victims. Yet despite the prevailing cruelty and wickedness, common humanity will still strive to survive and shine. This is a story of a family living through impossible trials, of a society torn apart, and of the survival of the human spirit against all odds.
Review Quotes
"The Riven Heart of Moscow" by Mikhail Osorgin is a captivating and deeply moving narrative that masterfully captures a pivotal time in Russian history. Set against the backdrop of the Russian Empire at its zenith in 1914, the book offers a rich tapestry of characters and events that are as complex as they are compelling.
Osorgin's portrayal of Ivan Alexandrovich, a renowned professor of ornithology, and his granddaughter Tanyusha, an aspiring concert pianist, is both intimate and profound. Their lives, filled with music and intellectual pursuits, are beautifully contrasted against the impending chaos of war and revolution.
The author's vivid descriptions of their family villa in Sivtsev Vrazhek, a quaint lane in central Moscow, and the musical soirées they host, transport the reader to a time of elegance and refinement, making the ensuing destruction all the more heart-wrenching.
The book doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of the First World War, the Revolution of 1917, and the ensuing civil war in Russia. Yet, amidst the turmoil and tragedy, Osorgin highlights the resilience of the human spirit. The characters' courage, their attempts to intervene on behalf of victims, and their struggle to hold onto their humanity in the face of cruelty and wickedness, make for a deeply affecting read.
"The Riven Heart of Moscow" is a poignant reminder of the enduring power of the human spirit amidst adversity. It's a beautifully written, emotionally charged book that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page. A must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction and Russian history.