E European History

Posted by Kerry Kubilius

The memory of WWII is still alive in Ukraine, Russia, and elsewhere in Eastern Europe. This war cost the region millions of lives. Despite Ukraine's laws stating that positive Nazi images are forbidden, a doll in the image of Adolph Hitler is now available for sale.

The doll includes amazing details and is complete with a change of clothes. Miniature shoes, belt, and jacket (complete with swastika armband) are packaged neatly with the doll. Unfortunately, the issue of this doll may be a response to increasing neo-Nazi sentiment among some citizens in Ukraine.

Marketing a Hitler children's toy is as bizarre as using Stalin's image as an encouragement to bill payment - and as inappropriate.

Posted by Kerry Kubilius

Stephen Pearl's translation of Oblomov complete with a forward by Tatyana Tolstaya, is said to be "livelier" than previous English translations, "elegant and witty," and "highly recommended." However, the same people who applaud the translation also call Oblomov a "masterpiece." I'm sure some agree that this long, long story about a lazy Russian nobleman is a masterpiece, but I'm not sure it's recommended reading.

Professors of Russian literature will tell you that reading Oblomov is good for you. Maybe it is, if only to make you appreciate other Russian novels of the 19th century more. Oblomov centers around the main character of the same name, whose favorite occupations are eating and sleeping. He even loses his girl to his irresponsible nature and apathetic attitude. If this new translation livens up the novel in any way, then the translator deserves all the praise in the world.

Posted by Kerry Kubilius

The Annotated Lolita is the only version of Lolita that should be read by students and Nabokophiles. If you don't speak French, much of Humbert Humbert's comments will be meaningless; the annotated text does a good job of translating, not only words, but any literary allusions or puns that Nabokov makes in French.

French phrases aside, The Annotated Lolita also offers insights into Nabokov's intentions within the novel. Many of these would be lost on the reader if not for the annotator's notes, or simply missed on a first read. Comments from Nabokov's own lips also appear within the notes, taken from interviews and direct conversation with the author. This offers a glimpse into Nabokov's writing and thought processes beyond what appear in Lolita. The annotator does not neglect Nabokov's other literary works or interests and describes how the author's experiences affect the actions and opinions of the characters.

Posted by Kerry Kubilius

BBC's photos of Roma life are indicative of the problems Roma people face, and those they have face throughout history. The Roma are traditionally marginalized both literally - living on the outskirts of cities in extremy low-quality housing or told their children must attend separate schools - and figuratively - their population uncountable and demographics sketchy at best.

The Roma today must deal with social problems, poverty, illiteracy, and inadequate government representation. Roma throughout history have faced these problems, and more. They were targeted by Nazis and were victims of concentration camps. Prejudices from past centuries still remain, which means that what little communication occurs between the Roma and the societies amongst which they live is often negative. Prevailing ignorance about this minority group widens social rifts and gives the Roma little incentive to "conform" to mainstream lifestyles.

Posted by Kerry Kubilius

Treasure hunters have once again said they have discovered the whereabouts of the Amber Room, the 18th century masterpiece created entirely of amber that dazzled visitors to the Catherine Palace until WWII.

The mayor of the German village of Deutschnedorf is leading the search for the Amber Room. His team says they have discovered an impressive amount of precious metals in a cavern, via electromagnetic pulse measurements. He is "90 percent sure" it is the Amber Room. However, a Russian museum spokesperson says that this is nonsense. The Amber Room consisted of amber and the adhesive used to craft it, not precious metals.

A wrench was thrown in the works when the mayor suggested that experts be brought in to lend more credibility to the excavations. It's true that his word as mayor isn't enough for people who are serious about knowing where the Amber Room is - but it may be enough for those who would advertise his village freely through news stories and encourage tourism to the area.

Posted by Kerry Kubilius

Vladimir Nabokov, most famous for his novel Lolita, which describes the relationship between an underage girl and her creepy and devoted lover. Lolita was not the only novel by Nabokov to explore the themes of illicit sex or couples who challenge society's established rules for what makes appropriate mates.

Laughter in the Dark, the precursor to Lolita, tells the story of a well-to-do gentleman who woos Margot Peters, a teenage would-be starlet. He sacrifices everything for Margot, and pays dearly for his indiscretion and familial disloyalty.

Nabokov's unfinished and unpublished writing, in the hands of his son, Dmitri, also features women who exhibit similarities to both Lolita and Margot. "Flora" and "Laura." Unfortunately, very few individuals actually know what was intended for these female characters. However, they may even more developed versions of the same character type, just as Lolita was a more developed version of Margot Peters.

Posted by Kerry Kubilius

Petr Ginz's diary cannot be compared to the diary of another young Holocaust victim, Anne Frank. However, the recent publication of his diary adds another voice to the perspective of Jewish citizens living during the time period prior to WWII.

Petr was Czech, and he lived in Prague. His diary, edited by his sister, records daily life, includes poetry and artwork, and reveals the inner workings of a young mind full of potential. A gifted individual, Petr edited a magazine and wrote novels. Although his life ended in 1944 at the Auschwitz Death Camp when he was only 16, his voice lives on in his diary. The published version of this diary includes notes to complete the details surrounding the events recorded in Petr's writings.

A blog, called Places of Petr Ginz, gives context to the published diary. While sometimes a bit abstract, the blog nevertheless gives Petr Ginz a home in Prague, and explains significant Jewish and non-Jewish addresses in the Czech capital city.

The short life of Petr Ginz came to a tragic end. Even while he was still living in Prage, Petr himself was keenly aware of the events that were tearing his world apart. Commentators indicate that Petr's diary is more mundane than Anne Frank's diary, which is full of insight and has much literary value. However, critiques like these do not acknowledge the message contained within the diaries of young victims of concentration camps - that observing life and recording its events gives meaning to lives that ended prematurely and aids in our understanding of such horrific course of events.

Posted by Kerry Kubilius

The gap between the wealthy and the poor is an issue in many areas of the world today. In tsarist Russia, the gap between the classes was huge, with a handful of aristocrats in command of vast wealth, while the majority of the Russian populace toiled on estates as peasant serfs.

One example of the massive divide between upper class and lower class Russia can be seen in existing housing built before the 20th century. The Russian royal places, with their silk wallpaper, parquet floors, marble stairways, and priceless paintings represent the wealth of past Russian nobility. Open-air museums, however, capture the layout of peasant houses and outhouses. These dwellings were characterized by cramped quarters and unsanitary conditions.

The Russian Revolution of 1917, as well as the end of the Romanovs, were part of the revolt against the wealth divide, as well the result of other issues Russia was facing during this pivotal moment in history. Poverty still reigned, and wealth was now controlled by the hands of leading Soviets, but members of the nobility fled if they weren't killed. Lower class families were allotted small spaces in fine houses, royal riches were deemed "property of the state," and Russia entered a new era that redefined notions of class structure.

Posted by Kerry Kubilius

I recently re-read Crime and Punishment, Dostoevsky's most famous novel, and a must-read 19th century Russian novel. It's easy to forget how long-winded the characters tend to be.

While the novel explores the concept of "crime" and who can be considered a "criminal" - whether or not he or she breaks the law - the characters don't even stop for breath in order to make their points known to their counterparts, or to the reader. Getting through Crime and Punishment without skipping whole paragraphs takes dedication. Nevertheless, Dostoevsky thoroughly covers the relevant issues through action and, of course, through dialogue.

Raskolnikov, an overall "good," if poor, student, is faced with the realization he has committed a crime in the eyes of society. However, he is surrounded by individuals who think nothing of molesting underage girls, manipulating the minds of his sister and mother, or framing the helpless. Raskolnikov and these other characters are consistently at odds throughout the novel, and each delights in explaining his own position and reasoning.

While much of the meat and potatoes of the book can be found in the dialogue, if you tend to skip some of the longer spoken passages, you'll still be able to enjoy a story full of suspense, plot twists, and complex characters. You'll also get a good look at the St. Petersburg of the latter half of the 19th century, where poverty could be seen in threadbare clothing, felt in empty stomachs, increased by illness, and ended with suicide.

Posted by Kerry Kubilius

If you were one of the greatest authors of the 20th century, and you had left the outline of a manuscript, but were unable to finish it before your death, would you want it destroyed? I would.

But if you had possession of the final written words by one of the 20th century's greatest writers, would you want to burn it? I wouldn't!

Dmitri Nabokov, 74 years old, is Vladimir Nabokov's son. He has to make a decision - to destroy the manuscript his father requested be burned, or to preserve it for those who study, read, and revere Nabokov's literature. Revealing the manuscript's contents would spure a flurry of literary super-sleuthing and supposition about its content's meaning, Nabokov's intent, and the quality of the would-be finished masterpiece (of course, a masterpiece!). Destroying the manuscript would produce collective disappointment among Nabokov scholars, ending the hope of being gifted with one last treasure from Nabokov's own hand.

Ron Rosenbaum has been in correspondence with Dmitri Nabokov; Rosenbaum discusses Dmitri's decision in an article published on Slate.com.

Nabokov, who wrote in Russian, and then in English (subsequently translating his works into either language, sometimes with the help of Dmitri) is famous for the novel Lolita, a beautifully written book about a horrible topic - child molestation. Nabokov is also famous for other works like Pale Fire. His collection of short stories is the best protection against the sense of exasperation that bad writing can bring into any reader's life, and is best kept close by at all times, for emergencies.