In Memory of Memory
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In Memory of Memory
With the death of her aunt, Maria Stepanova is left to sift through an apartment full of faded photographs, postcards, diaries, and heaps of souvenirs: a withered repository of a century of life in Russia. Carefully reassembled, these shards tell the story of how a seemingly ordinary Jewish family managed to survive the twentieth century.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! DescriptionMaria Stepanova's In Memory of Memory begins with the death of the author’s aunt, unveiling an apartment brimming with relics of a bygone era—faded photographs, old postcards, letters, diaries, and souvenirs. These artefacts collectively form a testament to a century of living in Russia, capturing the trials and triumphs of an ordinary Jewish family that survived through history's most brutal persecutions and repressions.
Stepanova meticulously pieces together these fragments with a careful, reflective hand, crafting a narrative that transcends a mere memoir. The book emerges as a compelling weave of essay, fiction, memoir, travelogue, and historical documentation. Each page invites readers to traverse the intricate layers of cultural and personal memory, constructing a vast panorama of ideas and personalities.
The narrative traverses diverse landscapes—from the haunting remnants of post-Soviet Russia to the rich cultural fabrics of Europe. Stepanova delves deeply into the significance of memory and history, exploring how they shape our identities and collective consciousness. Her writing is a testament to the endurance of family bonds and the persistence of memory amidst the ever-changing tides of history.
In this profound exploration, Stepanova engages with notable figures and philosophical discourses, enriching her narrative with references and reflections that invite readers to ponder the larger questions of existence and memory. Her style seamlessly shifts between lyrical prose and academic discourse, providing a reading experience that is as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally resonant.
In Memory of Memory is more than just a personal journey; it is an ambitious and groundbreaking work that challenges the boundaries of genre and narrative form. It offers a unique and poignant perspective on how we remember, what we choose to forget, and the ways in which our past continually shapes our present and future.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Stepanova's work is hailed as a masterful blend of memoir, literary criticism, essay, and fiction. Reviews celebrate its deep exploration of personal and national history, focusing on Russian-Jewish heritage and the events of the past century. Critics appreciate the lyrical and philosophical prose, noting its originality and emotional resonance.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781804270585
Publisher: Fitzcarraldo Editions
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 08 November 2023
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Fitzcarraldo Editions
Contributors:
- Translated by Sasha Dugdale
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 114.0mm
Height: 197.0mm
Weight: 0g
Pages: 510
About the Author
Maria Stepanova is a poet, essayist, journalist and the author of ten poetry collections and three books of essays. She has received several Russian and international literary awards (including the prestigious Andrey Bely Prize and Joseph Brodsky Fellowship).In Memory of Memory, a documentary novel, won Russia's Bolshaya Kniga Award in 2018. Her collection of poems,War of the Beasts and the Animals, is published by Bloodaxe in Sasha Dugdale's translation in 2021. Stepanova is the founder and editor-in-chief of the online independent crowd-sourced journalColta.ru, which covers the cultural, social and political reality of contemporary Russia.
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