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Books Related to Through Siberia by Accident Dervla Murphy - ISBN: 0719566649
Revealing Russian character. Best account on Russians so far! - Rated
I am Russian. And I am all ears when it comes to foreigners trying to explore and explain the essence of this enormous country and its controversial folk. That is why I try not to miss such kinds of books. Mostly what I fish out is just a crusade for confirmation of deep rooted stereotypes/myths or very shallow account a-la Marco Polo.
I must say this book is a precious exception. With surprising astuteness she slices open the notorious "Russian soul" and identifies motives underlying many Russian behavior modes, views, philosophy etc.
All during the journey to the most godforsaken (or government/Moscow forsaken) places.
I am impressed! Many of her conclusions really stroke me and find the whole account astonishingly trustworthy.
Of course exposing some unpleasant features of current (or ancestral) mindset and collective unconscious might hurt some purists or idealists, but isn't bitter truth better than sweet fables?
I strongly recommend the book to all my foreign friends and for you as well.
Fascinating subject matter, a tad smug. - Rated
Being a self confessed addict of all things Russian, I was expecting this book to be an interesting and satisfying read. While I wasn't disappointed on these fronts, I found the whole experience spoiled by the condescending and, I hate to say it, rather smug style of writing employed. Throughout the book the author, Dervla Murphy, demonstrates an almost obsessive need to insert little self-congratulating asides on how she shuns the trappings of the modern world and is such a successful 'earth mother'. It's certainly refreshing to find someone with such a strong conscience, however, when she starts listing the electrical appliances she doesn't own, it can become tedious.
The descriptions of the landscape, people and politics of this area are lovingly crafted and genuinely felt, but the whole tone of the book left me feeling sadly cold.
