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Dreams of My Russian Summers #2
Requiem for a Lost Empire
A nameless, orphaned Russian army doctor is the narrator of Requiem for a Lost Empire, an epic novel that traces three generations of a Russian family through the turbulent political struggles of the twentieth century.
Spanning eight decades --from the October Revolution of 1917 to the Cold War to the fall of Communism --the book follows the narrator's grand-father, Nikolai, a Red Army deserter who seeks peace and isolation in a remote forest village. Years later, his son Pavel will fight in World War II, become a KGB spy, and, like Nikolai, return to his native Caucasus in a vain attempt to escape the increasing tyrannies of the postwar Soviet era. It is here, amidst the raging warfare, espionage, and crushing poverty, where our narrator is born. Sweeping in its scope and heartbreaking in its truths, Requiem for a Lost Empire is both a harrowing history of the Soviet Union and a loving tribute to the fortitude of its people.
Spanning eight decades --from the October Revolution of 1917 to the Cold War to the fall of Communism --the book follows the narrator's grand-father, Nikolai, a Red Army deserter who seeks peace and isolation in a remote forest village. Years later, his son Pavel will fight in World War II, become a KGB spy, and, like Nikolai, return to his native Caucasus in a vain attempt to escape the increasing tyrannies of the postwar Soviet era. It is here, amidst the raging warfare, espionage, and crushing poverty, where our narrator is born. Sweeping in its scope and heartbreaking in its truths, Requiem for a Lost Empire is both a harrowing history of the Soviet Union and a loving tribute to the fortitude of its people.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
About the author
Andreï Makine
36 books374 followersAndreï Makine was born in Krasnoyarsk, Soviet Union on 10 September 1957 and grew up in city of Penza, a provincial town about 440 miles south-east of Moscow. As a boy, having acquired familiarity with France and its language from his French-born grandmother (it is not certain whether Makine had a French grandmother; in later interviews he claimed to have learnt French from a friend), he wrote poems in both French and his native Russian.
In 1987, he went to France as member of teacher's exchange program and decided to stay. He was granted political asylum and was determined to make a living as a writer in French. However, Makine had to present his first manuscripts as translations from Russian to overcome publishers' skepticism that a newly arrived exile could write so fluently in a second language. After disappointing reactions to his first two novels, it took eight months to find a publisher for his fourth, Le testament français. Finally published in 1995 in France, the novel became the first in history to win both the Prix Goncourt and the Prix Medicis plus the Goncourt des Lycéens.
In 1987, he went to France as member of teacher's exchange program and decided to stay. He was granted political asylum and was determined to make a living as a writer in French. However, Makine had to present his first manuscripts as translations from Russian to overcome publishers' skepticism that a newly arrived exile could write so fluently in a second language. After disappointing reactions to his first two novels, it took eight months to find a publisher for his fourth, Le testament français. Finally published in 1995 in France, the novel became the first in history to win both the Prix Goncourt and the Prix Medicis plus the Goncourt des Lycéens.
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February 3, 2021
Makine's novels are always worth reading, but I couldn't help finding this sequel to his best known book Le Testament Français rather disappointing. Perhaps it was the relentlessly grim nature of the story, but I also found the framing chapters in which the narrator describes his life as a spy involved in arms dealing more unconvincing than most of Makine's writing.
As always he chooses broad canvases - this one spans around 80 years from the October revolution to the aftermath of the fall of the Soviet Union via three generations of the same family, and the book is well written and translated, but I can't go higher than three stars.
As always he chooses broad canvases - this one spans around 80 years from the October revolution to the aftermath of the fall of the Soviet Union via three generations of the same family, and the book is well written and translated, but I can't go higher than three stars.
October 7, 2012
With Requiem for a Lost Empire Andreï Makine has created a panoramic novel of eight decades of Soviet/Russian history starting in 1917. It is a story of extraordinary emotional intensity. For anybody like me with interest in the Russian "condition humaine", this was a must read. While written as fiction, it depicts realities and truths of lives lived during Soviet times and since. Makine, born and brought up in Russia, emigrated to France in 1987 and writes his novels in French. He has found an excellent translator in Geoffrey Strachan.
Requiem is anchored in the narrator, the last of three generations of one family. Makine weaves the description of the father's and grandfather's lives into the son's narrative. It is a story within and told as conveyed to him by a third party. This technique establishes a lens singling out or highlighting specific details and events. At the same time the method creates a certain emotional distance for both the protagonist and the reader from the vicious excesses of the Soviet regime and the horrors of war. In stark contrast to the depiction of devastation, scorched earth and expanding killing fields, is the description of nature and landscapes in all their beauty and harmony. There is something nostalgic and even surreal in the soothing power that the land and rural life has over the father and grandfather. It is a refuge sought from the fighting that restores and gives life. It is the dream that sustains the soldier and keeps him alive against all odds. Happiness and love, even if short-lived are possible and experienced here.
The unnamed narrator was severed from this nourishing power, his sense of identity lost since early childhood, his "own memories falsified from birth". Rescued by an enigmatic family friend just prior to the killing of his parents, he grows up as an orphan. The sense of being an outsider never leaves him. Working as a medical doctor in African countries he moves from crisis to crisis. An offer to join the KGB comes almost as relief; changing identities as required for his life as a spy is the easiest part. He is thrown back into the African quagmire, caught between the Cold War's competing fronts. With a few brush strokes, Makine captures the essence of the increasingly perilous political games being played out in developing countries. The "game of espionage" brings the agent and his female partner closer together. While his feelings for her grow deeper, his outlook on life is put to the test: "To be able to tell the truth one day." This is her wish to which he responds by telling her his family's story as conveyed to him by the old friend years ago.
The story of Nikolai, the grandfather, and his son Pavel portrays two generations of soldiers caught up in the brutalities of the two major wars and the rise of Stalin. The growing violence of the Soviet regime is illustrated through specific episodes and incidents. The narrative of the fighting, the loss of comrades and Pavel's endurance is harrowing in its vivid detail. Most haunting is the image of an attempt to free a concentration camp with German snipers still hiding between the barracks. Pavel survives the war only to find "home" destroyed...
Makine has an extraordinary talent to create a dramatic framework for his story while directing the reader toward concrete specific events. For example, having returned to the village and observed what happened to his neighbours, Nikolai turns the rationale upside down. His farm tools and his old horse are in such poor condition, he argues, that handing them over to the kolkhoz would be equal to sabotage. For Pavel the chances of survival were counted in days, maximum months: the "distance that lay between him and death could be measured in the numbers killed". There was no point in sharing one's name as the probability of staying alive to the next day was almost nil.
The continuation of Pavel's story is the narrator's own story of survival, physically and emotionally. The end of the Cold War and the subsequent "disappearance of the Empire" leave him confused and challenge him to establish a new life. The Parisian society crowd that he joins in his quest, speaks mockingly of the Soviet army and of his country, calling it a "phantom country". He should react, explain, or contradict the views presented. Yet, he feels unable to intervene, an outside observer, not able to fit in whether it is Moscow or Paris. Ultimately, his search for answers, his truth and for his peace of mind ends unexpectedly.
Makine has created a powerful and profoundly moving portrait of one Russian family set against the dramatic backdrop of the complex realities of the Soviet era and its collapse. His characters embody real people, individuals with deep emotions showing vigour and endurance in adverse circumstances and surviving on the strength of their roots and connection to their land. The stories of their lives will linger in the reader's mind for a long time.
Requiem is anchored in the narrator, the last of three generations of one family. Makine weaves the description of the father's and grandfather's lives into the son's narrative. It is a story within and told as conveyed to him by a third party. This technique establishes a lens singling out or highlighting specific details and events. At the same time the method creates a certain emotional distance for both the protagonist and the reader from the vicious excesses of the Soviet regime and the horrors of war. In stark contrast to the depiction of devastation, scorched earth and expanding killing fields, is the description of nature and landscapes in all their beauty and harmony. There is something nostalgic and even surreal in the soothing power that the land and rural life has over the father and grandfather. It is a refuge sought from the fighting that restores and gives life. It is the dream that sustains the soldier and keeps him alive against all odds. Happiness and love, even if short-lived are possible and experienced here.
The unnamed narrator was severed from this nourishing power, his sense of identity lost since early childhood, his "own memories falsified from birth". Rescued by an enigmatic family friend just prior to the killing of his parents, he grows up as an orphan. The sense of being an outsider never leaves him. Working as a medical doctor in African countries he moves from crisis to crisis. An offer to join the KGB comes almost as relief; changing identities as required for his life as a spy is the easiest part. He is thrown back into the African quagmire, caught between the Cold War's competing fronts. With a few brush strokes, Makine captures the essence of the increasingly perilous political games being played out in developing countries. The "game of espionage" brings the agent and his female partner closer together. While his feelings for her grow deeper, his outlook on life is put to the test: "To be able to tell the truth one day." This is her wish to which he responds by telling her his family's story as conveyed to him by the old friend years ago.
The story of Nikolai, the grandfather, and his son Pavel portrays two generations of soldiers caught up in the brutalities of the two major wars and the rise of Stalin. The growing violence of the Soviet regime is illustrated through specific episodes and incidents. The narrative of the fighting, the loss of comrades and Pavel's endurance is harrowing in its vivid detail. Most haunting is the image of an attempt to free a concentration camp with German snipers still hiding between the barracks. Pavel survives the war only to find "home" destroyed...
Makine has an extraordinary talent to create a dramatic framework for his story while directing the reader toward concrete specific events. For example, having returned to the village and observed what happened to his neighbours, Nikolai turns the rationale upside down. His farm tools and his old horse are in such poor condition, he argues, that handing them over to the kolkhoz would be equal to sabotage. For Pavel the chances of survival were counted in days, maximum months: the "distance that lay between him and death could be measured in the numbers killed". There was no point in sharing one's name as the probability of staying alive to the next day was almost nil.
The continuation of Pavel's story is the narrator's own story of survival, physically and emotionally. The end of the Cold War and the subsequent "disappearance of the Empire" leave him confused and challenge him to establish a new life. The Parisian society crowd that he joins in his quest, speaks mockingly of the Soviet army and of his country, calling it a "phantom country". He should react, explain, or contradict the views presented. Yet, he feels unable to intervene, an outside observer, not able to fit in whether it is Moscow or Paris. Ultimately, his search for answers, his truth and for his peace of mind ends unexpectedly.
Makine has created a powerful and profoundly moving portrait of one Russian family set against the dramatic backdrop of the complex realities of the Soviet era and its collapse. His characters embody real people, individuals with deep emotions showing vigour and endurance in adverse circumstances and surviving on the strength of their roots and connection to their land. The stories of their lives will linger in the reader's mind for a long time.
March 10, 2021
Rusia. Caucaz. Povestea fauririi unui om care se naste, indura pierderi, supravietuieste, simte, iubeste. Iubeste o femeie precum o umbra ce-i umple gandurile si trairile, o femeie ce-l tine viu pina la sfarsit, chiar daca ea, la un momentdat ii este dat sa paraseasca lumea, lumea lor.
O poveste cu parfum rusesc si note puternice de zapada, stepe, razboi, soldati care abia se tin pe picioare, femei care duc o viata aproape ilicita in lumea barbatilor.
O poveste cu spioni, secrete militare, viata dubla, frici si izbanzi.
O poveste inceputa in Rusia, care traieste o vreme in Europa si care aproape se dizolva in America.
O poveste cu parfum rusesc si note puternice de zapada, stepe, razboi, soldati care abia se tin pe picioare, femei care duc o viata aproape ilicita in lumea barbatilor.
O poveste cu spioni, secrete militare, viata dubla, frici si izbanzi.
O poveste inceputa in Rusia, care traieste o vreme in Europa si care aproape se dizolva in America.
February 6, 2022
Sfat: nu scrieți (ca mine) mai mult de 4 paragrafe despre o carte pe GR. Nu vă citește nimeni până la capăt.
Totul ar fi fost perfect în romanul ăsta, de n-ar fi fost “politichia”, inserturile politizate.
Makine strunește o patimă cât se poate de “estică” a scrisului și a mărturisirii cu ajutorul unei impecabile stilistici de cea mai “franțuzită” sorginte. Tehnica sa mi-a evocat autori ca Muñoz Molina, Javier Marías, Cercas, Peixoto.
Nu am înțeles nici de unde-i comparația de pe coperta a 4-a (eternă, obositoare și mereu la îndemâna oricui) cu Proust. Da, memorie, da amintiri cleioase, ce revin cu mare greutate în conștiință, cercuri ale amintirii, memoria unui inconștient colectiv personal, contemporaneitatea tuturor morților familiei etc.
Dar Makine e mult mai “poematic” decât Proust. Și mai coerent în proza lui desfășurată și re-înfășurată în valuri, cu flux și reflux, ca o pânză vrac din care cineva, eroul lui Makine, dă să-și croiască povestea vieții.
Makine pune niște idei controversate în gura unor pesonaje centrale. La un moment dat, unul insinuează că întreținerea memoriei Holocaustului ar fi doar un mezat (cu culpabilizare). Nu mi-a plăcut să citesc asta. Nici să fi fost adevărat, așa ceva nu o să accept, nici măcar în glumă. Dar asta nu e totul. Armata Roșie trebuia neaparat să reiasă a fi fost unica glorioasă la încheierea conflagrației mondiale. Nici un abuz al acestei armate eroice și de strânsură n-a fost excesiv, când știm că “țelul ei suprem” a fost “eliberarea popoarelor de sub jugul fascist”...
Din dragoste pentru umanitate, Armata Roșie a împins forțele germane până la Berlin... Total dezinteresată. N-a cerut nimic în schimb. Curat altruism.
Nici un cuvințel despre cum a stat glorioasă armată sovietică și a așteptat, tot eroic, pe malul Vistulei ca germanii să radă Varșovia de pe fața pământului. Nu, astea nu-s probleme. Nimic despre pactul nazisto-comunist Molotov-Ribentropp. Astea-s detalii. Problema stringentă a personajelor lui Makine e că evreii își vând memoria suferințelor îndurate și că americanii atacă diverse teritorii, deschizând noi fronturi, ca să facă să scadă prețul petrolului (asta e din categoria tâmpenii crase, conspiraționisme ieftine, capitolul “las' că știm noi, oculta iudeo-masonică” etc!). Asta ne doare pe noi acuma... De asta nu mai putem noi!
În fine, e vorba aici de sensibilități personale. Cartea este foarte frumos scrisă! Și îmi asum clișeul. Exact asta vreau să spun, folosindu-l. I-am dat numai 4 stele din cauza obiecțiilor (subiective) notate mai sus. Nu suport parti-pris-urile politice în literatură. Ori poate că le-aș suporta, de n-ar fi parcă inspirate din “creații” de tipul “Zeitgeist”. Ca valoare literară, în opinia mea, Recviemul e de 5 stele.
Totul ar fi fost perfect în romanul ăsta, de n-ar fi fost “politichia”, inserturile politizate.
Makine strunește o patimă cât se poate de “estică” a scrisului și a mărturisirii cu ajutorul unei impecabile stilistici de cea mai “franțuzită” sorginte. Tehnica sa mi-a evocat autori ca Muñoz Molina, Javier Marías, Cercas, Peixoto.
Nu am înțeles nici de unde-i comparația de pe coperta a 4-a (eternă, obositoare și mereu la îndemâna oricui) cu Proust. Da, memorie, da amintiri cleioase, ce revin cu mare greutate în conștiință, cercuri ale amintirii, memoria unui inconștient colectiv personal, contemporaneitatea tuturor morților familiei etc.
Dar Makine e mult mai “poematic” decât Proust. Și mai coerent în proza lui desfășurată și re-înfășurată în valuri, cu flux și reflux, ca o pânză vrac din care cineva, eroul lui Makine, dă să-și croiască povestea vieții.
Makine pune niște idei controversate în gura unor pesonaje centrale. La un moment dat, unul insinuează că întreținerea memoriei Holocaustului ar fi doar un mezat (cu culpabilizare). Nu mi-a plăcut să citesc asta. Nici să fi fost adevărat, așa ceva nu o să accept, nici măcar în glumă. Dar asta nu e totul. Armata Roșie trebuia neaparat să reiasă a fi fost unica glorioasă la încheierea conflagrației mondiale. Nici un abuz al acestei armate eroice și de strânsură n-a fost excesiv, când știm că “țelul ei suprem” a fost “eliberarea popoarelor de sub jugul fascist”...
Din dragoste pentru umanitate, Armata Roșie a împins forțele germane până la Berlin... Total dezinteresată. N-a cerut nimic în schimb. Curat altruism.
Nici un cuvințel despre cum a stat glorioasă armată sovietică și a așteptat, tot eroic, pe malul Vistulei ca germanii să radă Varșovia de pe fața pământului. Nu, astea nu-s probleme. Nimic despre pactul nazisto-comunist Molotov-Ribentropp. Astea-s detalii. Problema stringentă a personajelor lui Makine e că evreii își vând memoria suferințelor îndurate și că americanii atacă diverse teritorii, deschizând noi fronturi, ca să facă să scadă prețul petrolului (asta e din categoria tâmpenii crase, conspiraționisme ieftine, capitolul “las' că știm noi, oculta iudeo-masonică” etc!). Asta ne doare pe noi acuma... De asta nu mai putem noi!
În fine, e vorba aici de sensibilități personale. Cartea este foarte frumos scrisă! Și îmi asum clișeul. Exact asta vreau să spun, folosindu-l. I-am dat numai 4 stele din cauza obiecțiilor (subiective) notate mai sus. Nu suport parti-pris-urile politice în literatură. Ori poate că le-aș suporta, de n-ar fi parcă inspirate din “creații” de tipul “Zeitgeist”. Ca valoare literară, în opinia mea, Recviemul e de 5 stele.
February 27, 2018
In the beginning of this book, it was hard for me to get a grasp on what it was about but as it developed and the various pieces and players fell into their places in the narrative and time, I began to feel the melancholy of a peasant Russia where everyone wants to be let alone but no one is. Who do you serve? Who can you believe in? Tsars, revolutions, Nazis, communists, post-communist capitalists and political chameleons all take a turn abusing generations of Russians while navigating the turning tides. The suffering is almost unbearable at times - one particular sequence of liberating a concentration camp is especially brutal - but what I most got out of it was a different viewpoint of 20th century Russian history. It wasn't one I'd been taught.
November 19, 2023
Recviem pentru Est de Andrei Makine (2000)
Makine scrie adesea despre Rusia, despre bolșevism, al Doilea Război Mondial, stalinism și pogroame, despre Rusia post-stalinistă, sau despre cea din perioada Războiului Rece. Însă, în felul lui specific, o face aducând la lumină anonimii care au simțit puterea strivitoare a acelor vremuri, unii fiind luați de val, alții încercând să se amplaseze în afara istoriei. Această ultimă atitudine, de abandonare a lumii obișnuite, de întoarcere în natură, de scufundare în prezentul anotimpurilor și în eternul iubirii, am regăsit-o în mai multe romane ale lui Makine.
Aici este redată prin felul în care personajele tânjesc după un trai solitar și simplu, unul în care să nu se afle mereu sub roata istoriei, chiar și pentru scurte perioade:
“Pământul lucrat, liniștea casei, viața animalelor, totul se putea lipsi de cuvinte. Când era cu Anna, se priveau îndelung, își zâmbeau, iar în cursul zilei, văzându-se departe unul de celălalt, se salutau, fără a-și vedea expresia chipului, dar ghicind și cea mai măruntă trăsătură. ”
Evadarea este posibilă doar pentru scurtă durată, până ce forțele istorice își întind tentaculele distrugând spațiul cuplului, al iubirii, al familiei. Peste noapte, orice anonim poate deveni dușmanul poporului, sabotor, spion, iar acestea sunt constante în istoria Rusiei. La fel ca și propaganda și dublul limbaj:
„Lumea care îi înconjura se făcea tot mai flecară. Se vorbea despre muncă, în loc să se muncească. Se decreta fericirea poporului, însă era lăsată să moară de foame o femeie bătrână, în izba ei, cu acoperișul năruit.”
Sunt povestite viețile a trei generații, fiecare trăind câte o epocă grea: Nikolai, dezertează din Armata Roșie, după ce este martorul absurdului și nedreptăților bolșevicilor revoluționari; fiul său Pavel va lupta în al Doilea Război Mondial, fiind traumatizat de experiențele luptelor de pe front, din Rusia până la Berlin; cea de-a treia generație este reprezentată de narator, un medic militar recrutat de serviciile de spionaj sovietice în timpul Războiului Rece, deziluzionat de experiențele la care este martor din țările ale căror destine politice sunt schimbate de traficanți de arme, și iremediabil neconsolat de pierderea unicei iubiri din cauza absurdului muncii de spion.
„Războaiele erau acum mici, îmi spuneam eu, locale, potrivit diplomaților. ... Aveam să descopăr destul de repede că doar marile războaie aveau un sfârșit, nu cele mici, care nu erau decât prelungirea celorlalte pe timp de pace.”
Istoria deformează, ucide, strivește. Și, totuși, personajele lui Makine, reușesc până la urmă să se amplaseze într-un spațiu atemporal, în care fericirea și iubirea sunt posibile. Chiar dacă doar sub forma unui vis contemplat într-o seară de iarnă.
Makine scrie adesea despre Rusia, despre bolșevism, al Doilea Război Mondial, stalinism și pogroame, despre Rusia post-stalinistă, sau despre cea din perioada Războiului Rece. Însă, în felul lui specific, o face aducând la lumină anonimii care au simțit puterea strivitoare a acelor vremuri, unii fiind luați de val, alții încercând să se amplaseze în afara istoriei. Această ultimă atitudine, de abandonare a lumii obișnuite, de întoarcere în natură, de scufundare în prezentul anotimpurilor și în eternul iubirii, am regăsit-o în mai multe romane ale lui Makine.
Aici este redată prin felul în care personajele tânjesc după un trai solitar și simplu, unul în care să nu se afle mereu sub roata istoriei, chiar și pentru scurte perioade:
“Pământul lucrat, liniștea casei, viața animalelor, totul se putea lipsi de cuvinte. Când era cu Anna, se priveau îndelung, își zâmbeau, iar în cursul zilei, văzându-se departe unul de celălalt, se salutau, fără a-și vedea expresia chipului, dar ghicind și cea mai măruntă trăsătură. ”
Evadarea este posibilă doar pentru scurtă durată, până ce forțele istorice își întind tentaculele distrugând spațiul cuplului, al iubirii, al familiei. Peste noapte, orice anonim poate deveni dușmanul poporului, sabotor, spion, iar acestea sunt constante în istoria Rusiei. La fel ca și propaganda și dublul limbaj:
„Lumea care îi înconjura se făcea tot mai flecară. Se vorbea despre muncă, în loc să se muncească. Se decreta fericirea poporului, însă era lăsată să moară de foame o femeie bătrână, în izba ei, cu acoperișul năruit.”
Sunt povestite viețile a trei generații, fiecare trăind câte o epocă grea: Nikolai, dezertează din Armata Roșie, după ce este martorul absurdului și nedreptăților bolșevicilor revoluționari; fiul său Pavel va lupta în al Doilea Război Mondial, fiind traumatizat de experiențele luptelor de pe front, din Rusia până la Berlin; cea de-a treia generație este reprezentată de narator, un medic militar recrutat de serviciile de spionaj sovietice în timpul Războiului Rece, deziluzionat de experiențele la care este martor din țările ale căror destine politice sunt schimbate de traficanți de arme, și iremediabil neconsolat de pierderea unicei iubiri din cauza absurdului muncii de spion.
„Războaiele erau acum mici, îmi spuneam eu, locale, potrivit diplomaților. ... Aveam să descopăr destul de repede că doar marile războaie aveau un sfârșit, nu cele mici, care nu erau decât prelungirea celorlalte pe timp de pace.”
Istoria deformează, ucide, strivește. Și, totuși, personajele lui Makine, reușesc până la urmă să se amplaseze într-un spațiu atemporal, în care fericirea și iubirea sunt posibile. Chiar dacă doar sub forma unui vis contemplat într-o seară de iarnă.
November 10, 2019
Idän sielunmessu varmasti jakaa mielipiteitä. Kyynikoiden ei tämän kirjan pariin kannata vaivautua.
Makine kirjoittaa hyvin lyyrisesti ja sielukkaasti. Tällä itselleen tunnusomaisella tavalla olipa aihe mikä vaan. Nyt se oli kolmen sukupolven neuvostomiesten kohtalot ja traaginen rakkaus.
Miehiä isoisästä pojanpoikaan yhdistävät sotakokemukset, vuodet kuoleman kalkkiviivoilla ja rakkaan naisen kadottaminen. Siinä samalla katoaa menneisyys, kun yksi luovuttaa poikansa kasvattiäidille, toisen kotikylä poltetaan ja kolmas ryhtyy KGB:n agentiksi. Jokaista sukupolvea yhdist��ä piilottelu ja omasta nimestä luopuminen.
Idän sielunmessussa ollaan monessa sodassa. Nähdään kuolemaa ja väkivaltaa monissa muodoissa. Varastetaan hetkeksi rakkautta ja arjen ihanuutta. Eletään toisen elämää. Ei kiinnytä liikaa. Ja kuitenkin kaivataan sanomattoman paljon elämää sen jokaisena päivänä.
Makinen tapa kertoa on klassinen, venäläisklassinen ja ranskalaisklassikoihinkin on hänen kohdallaan viitattu. Klassikoiden rakenteen hän on kuitenkin onneksi päivittänyt tälle vuosituhannelle.
Makine pistää pieniin romaaneihinsa syvästi sielukkuutta. Siksi ne koskettavat ainakin minun sieluani lumoavalla tavalla.
Makine kirjoittaa hyvin lyyrisesti ja sielukkaasti. Tällä itselleen tunnusomaisella tavalla olipa aihe mikä vaan. Nyt se oli kolmen sukupolven neuvostomiesten kohtalot ja traaginen rakkaus.
Miehiä isoisästä pojanpoikaan yhdistävät sotakokemukset, vuodet kuoleman kalkkiviivoilla ja rakkaan naisen kadottaminen. Siinä samalla katoaa menneisyys, kun yksi luovuttaa poikansa kasvattiäidille, toisen kotikylä poltetaan ja kolmas ryhtyy KGB:n agentiksi. Jokaista sukupolvea yhdist��ä piilottelu ja omasta nimestä luopuminen.
Idän sielunmessussa ollaan monessa sodassa. Nähdään kuolemaa ja väkivaltaa monissa muodoissa. Varastetaan hetkeksi rakkautta ja arjen ihanuutta. Eletään toisen elämää. Ei kiinnytä liikaa. Ja kuitenkin kaivataan sanomattoman paljon elämää sen jokaisena päivänä.
Makinen tapa kertoa on klassinen, venäläisklassinen ja ranskalaisklassikoihinkin on hänen kohdallaan viitattu. Klassikoiden rakenteen hän on kuitenkin onneksi päivittänyt tälle vuosituhannelle.
Makine pistää pieniin romaaneihinsa syvästi sielukkuutta. Siksi ne koskettavat ainakin minun sieluani lumoavalla tavalla.
January 11, 2022
Andreï Makine is one of my favorite authors. His writing is lyrical and poetic, even when writing of harsh realities, of which there are plenty in this story spanning the 1920's -1990's. This multi-generational tale of Russia left me at times amazed as the plot unfolded, mesmerized by certain dream-like passages, and moved by moments of tenderness and beauty that somehow surfaced above a sea of brutality and cold calculation. This novel is part of a trilogy along with "Dreams of My Russian Summers," which I highly recommend, and "The Earth and Sky of Jacques Dorme" which I hope to read soon. (also, kudos to Geoffrey Strachan, who has translated all of Makine's books.)
August 21, 2012
One could note that I was reading this at the airport when my wife arrived here in the heartland. That wouldn't be true. i was holding the novel. My incessant glaring at the pages didn't yeild any comprehension. i kept staring at the pages.
Reading did ensue a few days later and I think I concluded the tome in a federal office. It is a fine example of the sidelong glance, fleeting details which sear into the brain well after the plot, as it were, has faded into the fog.
Reading did ensue a few days later and I think I concluded the tome in a federal office. It is a fine example of the sidelong glance, fleeting details which sear into the brain well after the plot, as it were, has faded into the fog.
February 6, 2020
I didn't enjoy this as much as his other novels. It was very dark, deep and distressing. Spanning 3 generations of a Russian family, taking us through the dreadful actions of the civil and great wars, to the present times. It was narrated by different men but their voices were so similar, it made keeping track quite difficult. Undoubtedly a brilliant author whose work is worth checking out.
January 20, 2021
Brutal prose with the poetic charm you'd expect from a sullen Russian war tale. Aspects of the plot seem purposefully obfuscated to heighten the mysterious shroud that surrounds the unnamed narrator and protagonist. Perhaps not the best book to be reading during a violent insurrection in Washington DC. The book was good, and the translation captured the authors bleak and grey attitude very well. If only the chapters didn't weave in and out of different scenarios so frequently, it was difficult to put the book down when my schedule deemed it necessary.
April 21, 2016
Superb. Sensational. Gripping. Everything that a novel should be. It transports the reader into three generations, with different struggles, injustices, wars and losses, and yet, all share the same hope. The work is told in tones of nostalgia, as the narrator addresses his loved one. It truly felt like being physically taken back to parts of Russian history.
August 8, 2016
A beautiful, very moving book, to be compared with Le Carré 's best, but from a different perspective. Historybook, spy novel , love story and literature in one, a page turner. And a very good reminder that Europe was not liberated by the Americans alone, and that shortcuts in history lessons lead to confusion and wrong ideas
February 18, 2010
What a good read so far.
Not a fast paced,action packed thriller.Tends towards moving at the speed of real life. Some may find it tedious. I found it has piqued my interest in reading more Russian literature.
Not a fast paced,action packed thriller.Tends towards moving at the speed of real life. Some may find it tedious. I found it has piqued my interest in reading more Russian literature.
February 23, 2016
Makine skriver alltid vackert, även om "små saker" men här har han ett stort tema. Det är så fint, sättet han skriver om det ryska folket. Och så är romanen spännande, något som jag inte tyckt att hans andra böcker var.
September 14, 2019
Makine rövid, alig 250 oldalnyi háborús története, egy értékelés miatt került a kezembe. Nem ennek a könyvének az értékelése volt, de mégis figyelemfelkeltőnek találtam ( A francia hagyaték) . A könyvtárban viszont csak ez várt rám. A 20.századi Kaukázus, háborúkkal feldúlt világa nem volt túl vonzó a számomra, de mielőtt hazavittem volna, belenéztem és aztán otthon csak be kellett fejeznem. Makinosi mesterszál , írják az író történet- vezetéséről és ez a család-történetnek, visszaemlékezésnek is mondható regény, minden borzalmával és nyersességével együtt, mégis nagyon szép volt. Az író orosz származású, de francia nyelven ír, filozófiát és orosz irodalmat tanult. Lektori munkáját egy francia gimnáziumban végezte, később politikai menedékjogot kérve Franciaországban maradt. A Keletsirató-t ( Requiem pour l ’ Est) az Ab Ovo adta ki 2001-ben. A könyv elején csak egy rajzolt, kunyhó szerű valamit látunk, ami lehet egy barakk is vagy egy kicsi faház. Olvasás közben viszont többször előkerül az izba kifejezés, ami egyszobás, könnyű fából és sárból tapasztott házikót jelent. Bármilyen kicsi is, védelmet és életet nyújt és itt nő fel a főhősünk is. Innen indul és ide tér vissza, újra és újra gondolatban, innen „kapta” és innen is „reméli” a háború okozta sebek gyógyulását. Miközben az élethez nem volt szükség csupán a téli alkony perceire egy szobában… Olyan ez a történet, mintha a háború örökletes volna és nagyapától az unokáig, mindenki a pusztulás földjén járna. A felejtés ösztönösen törne elő, de az ismétlődő, egymásba kapaszkodó harcokat, a folyton megújuló rezgő nyár sem tudja feloldani. A háborús könyvek nagy terhe, titka, hogy mennyi halál fér bele az ember életébe. Mennyi gépként működő, parancsot végrehajtó katona veszett el a múlt században. Lőttek, tárat cseréltek, lőttek. Makine könyvében a háború mindig megfiatalodik, új harcok, újonnan behívottakkal és a félelem már egyre veszít erejéből. Kamaszok a Hitlerjugendben, lemondva önmagukról, megtagadva emberségüket. És félelmetes az a katona, aki tudja, hogy már sehol sem várnak rá. Még a ló is megbokrosodik és csak gazdája többszöri füttyentésére hajlandó átlépni és kibotorkálni a harcok okozta pusztulásból. Az emberlakta vidék átrendeződik és mintha a térkép összegyűrődött volna, a béke idejében sem talál otthonra, a hazatérő.
Andreï Makine történelmi „freskója” egy ��let elmesélésével kezdődik és háborúból, háborúba visz. De ami széppé teszi ezt az elembertelenedett világot, az mégis az ember. A jóság, jószándék és önzetlenség, s a remény, hogy majd mindez elmondható lesz és meghallgatásra talál.
Andreï Makine történelmi „freskója” egy ��let elmesélésével kezdődik és háborúból, háborúba visz. De ami széppé teszi ezt az elembertelenedett világot, az mégis az ember. A jóság, jószándék és önzetlenség, s a remény, hogy majd mindez elmondható lesz és meghallgatásra talál.
March 2, 2021
Am trăit mereu cu certitudinea că acea casă care le adăpostise dragostea, iar mai târziu naşterea mea, era mult mai aproape de noapte şi de constelaţiile ei, decât de viaţa acelei imense ţări de care izbutiseră să fugă, fără a-i părăsi teritoriul. Ţara aceea îi înconjura, îi încercuia, însă ei erau în altă parte. Şi, dacă a sfârşit prin a-i descoperi în străfundurile împădurite ale Caucazului, a fost hazardul unui joc de simboluri.
Simbolică era legătura care, într-un fel sau altul, îl unea pe orice locuitor al ţării de existenţa mitică a stăpânului imperiului. În ascunzişul lor din munte, ei se credeau eliberaţi de acel cult pe care ţara şi chiar planeta întreagă îl închinaseră unui bătrân ce trăia ros de teama de a nu-i fi ucis pe cei ce puteau să-l ucidă. Slăvit sau urât, el se afla în inimile tuturor. Îl aclamau ziua, îl blestemau într-un şuşotit febril, la căderea nopţii. Ei însă aveau privilegiul de a nu-i evoca numele. De a se gândi la pământ, la foc, la apa plină de viaţă a torentului, ziua. Şi de a se iubi şi a iubi fidelitatea stelelor, noaptea.
Simbolică era legătura care, într-un fel sau altul, îl unea pe orice locuitor al ţării de existenţa mitică a stăpânului imperiului. În ascunzişul lor din munte, ei se credeau eliberaţi de acel cult pe care ţara şi chiar planeta întreagă îl închinaseră unui bătrân ce trăia ros de teama de a nu-i fi ucis pe cei ce puteau să-l ucidă. Slăvit sau urât, el se afla în inimile tuturor. Îl aclamau ziua, îl blestemau într-un şuşotit febril, la căderea nopţii. Ei însă aveau privilegiul de a nu-i evoca numele. De a se gândi la pământ, la foc, la apa plină de viaţă a torentului, ziua. Şi de a se iubi şi a iubi fidelitatea stelelor, noaptea.
October 22, 2017
Requiem for the East was a short and sweet Russia tale. Working its way through the history books, Requiem for the East certainly delivers to the reader, with strong characters who developed alongside the story. The book didn't require the action nor the fast-paced story of a war-time novel, rather the story was carried on the views of the protagonists.
Reading a book from 1st person POV is something I enjoy. I find there is something truly unique about seeing the world from another persons perspective. On this level, the book was great at detailing the surrounding environment the protagonists found themselves in.
Russian history is certainly a draw-card for any novel I will read, this novel surely met my expectations as the historical detail was perfect for establishing and developing the story.
I recommend this novel for anyone who has an interest in historical fiction, particularly Russian history or to anyone who enjoys war-time classics.
Reading a book from 1st person POV is something I enjoy. I find there is something truly unique about seeing the world from another persons perspective. On this level, the book was great at detailing the surrounding environment the protagonists found themselves in.
Russian history is certainly a draw-card for any novel I will read, this novel surely met my expectations as the historical detail was perfect for establishing and developing the story.
I recommend this novel for anyone who has an interest in historical fiction, particularly Russian history or to anyone who enjoys war-time classics.
March 1, 2019
Another great Makine novel! The story offers a sweeping view of Russia’s 20th-century history through the interwoven lives of three generations of men – the narrator, his father Pavel and his grandfather Nikolai. It mostly tells of the devasting human impact of the two world wars, the proxy wars during the Cold War, and Russia’s waves of political upheavals. This makes for sombre and contemplative reading as the book feels like it is haunted with a thousand ghosts of the past. It is filled with the sadness of the millions of lives which have been sacrificed on the altar of Russia’s (geo)political struggles. But Makine’s rich and lyrical prose is beautiful, especially the way in which he evokes landscapes (though this comes to the forefront more strongly in some of his other books, such as ‘Au temps du fleuve amour’, than in this one) and feelings of drift overlain with a hankering for belonging and attachment.
January 29, 2024
A thoughtful poem about war and the violence it entails, Requiem for the East failed to capture me for more than a couple of paragraphs at a time. It’s non linear storyline is hard to follow, the writing exceptionally grim, with no characters who I ever felt that attached to. It’s well written, and I’ll have to come back to Makine’s other work in the future, but this book really didn’t work for me.
May 13, 2020
This is my favourite Makine book (so far). Sigh. The Russian people have endured so much. The 20th century was war after war after war. Deprivation. It seems like so much of their living is harsh including Siberian climate. Clawing out a life. Of course, there is more to the Russian people and their history, but so much if it was bleak.
July 11, 2017
I read this sometime over the school year last year. I liked the details of living in Russia and remember there was a lot of detail to span over the time frame of the book...funny that 3 of the books I am writing a review for tonight happen to be about Russia. I love its history for sure.
November 5, 2020
I've just finished this book & it was so well written & profound that it feels that I should immediately start again. Lot's of interesting issues are raised & different points of history. A great book.
August 9, 2017
Haunting, tragic. Eighty years of Russian history seen through the eyes of an orphaned army- doctor-turned-KGB-agent, his father and his paternal grandfather.
August 12, 2018
Certainement pas le meilleur de ses livres , il rappelle trop le testament français. Dommage , car il est l’un de mes écrivains préférés
June 3, 2019
Si Kapuscinski avait écrit un roman, il aurait été écrit dans le style de Requiem pour l'Est.
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June 29, 2019On 31d is the german edition: Russisches Requiem
January 14, 2023
Extrañamente solitario
August 1, 2012
I found this book in a hostel in Beijing, started reading it, and became so enthralled that when I left I had to take it with me. I later gave it away to a French guy I met in Ulan-Ude. Written by a Soviet expat who settled in France, it is a multi-generational story spanning the entire life of the USSR - the Russian civil war, two world wars, Stalinism, The Cold War and the country's eventual break-up. The main character and narrator is a Soviet spy who, with his partner, travels between Western Europe and Africa managing the various proxy wars being fought between the USSR and the US. His story, along with those of his father and grandfather, lay bare the many tragedies that arise from war and politics. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in US or Soviet history or just beautiful writing in French.
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