Description
Book Synopsis: The definitive biography of Soviet Jewish dissident writer Vasily Grossman, called "gripping" and "fascinating" by William Taubman in the New York Times. "[Popoff] tells Grossman's story with sensitivity and a keen understanding of his world, drawing on little-known archival collections to produce what must be considered the definitive biography."—Douglas Smith, Wall Street Journal
Longlisted for the 2019 Cundill History Prize sponsored by McGill University; finalist in the 2019 National Jewish Book Awards, Biography category; winner of the Canadian Jewish Literary Award, Biography category
If Vasily Grossman's 1961 masterpiece, Life and Fate, had been published during his lifetime, it would have reached the world together with Pasternak's Doctor Zhivago and before Solzhenitsyn's Gulag. But Life and Fate was seized by the KGB. When it emerged posthumously, decades later, it was recognized as the War and Peace of the twentieth century. Always at the epicenter of events, Grossman (1905–1964) was among the first to describe the Holocaust and the Ukrainian famine. His 1944 article "The Hell of Treblinka" became evidence at Nuremberg. Grossman's powerful anti‑totalitarian works liken the Nazis' crimes against humanity with those of Stalin. His compassionate prose has the everlasting quality of great art. Because Grossman's major works appeared after much delay, we are only now able to examine them properly. Alexandra Popoff's authoritative biography illuminates Grossman's life and legacy.
Details
Discover the gripping and fascinating story of Vasily Grossman, the Soviet Jewish dissident writer, in the definitive biography of the century. As praised by the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, this biography, written by Alexandra Popoff, offers a keen understanding of Grossman's world, drawing on little-known archival collections to present the ultimate account of his life and work.
Longlisted for the prestigious 2019 Cundill History Prize and a finalist in the 2019 National Jewish Book Awards, Biography category, this extraordinary book has also won the Canadian Jewish Literary Award. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the complex history of Soviet Russia and the inspiring stories of individuals who dared to challenge the totalitarian regime.
Had it not been seized by the KGB and published posthumously, Vasily Grossman's masterpiece, Life and Fate, would have been as widely renowned as Pasternak's Doctor Zhivago and Solzhenitsyn's Gulag. Now recognized as the War and Peace of the twentieth century, Grossman's work offers a profound examination of the human condition in times of turmoil.
From his vivid descriptions of the Holocaust and the Ukrainian famine to his powerful anti-totalitarian statements, Grossman's writing exposes the crimes against humanity committed by both the Nazis and Stalin. His compassionate prose resonates with the everlasting quality of great art, offering a profound insight into the darkest chapters of history.
With Alexandra Popoff's authoritative biography, we finally have the opportunity to fully appreciate and understand Grossman's major works. Dive into the pages of this compelling book and embark on a journey through the life and legacy of one of the most significant writers of the twentieth century.
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