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Natasha's Dance
A Cultural History of Russia
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Natasha's Dance
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
A history of Russia's mighty culture. It covers the lives of those who have shaped its culture, and the enduring spirit of a people.
Orlando Figes is the author of "A People's Tragedy", which won the NCR Book Award, the Wolfson History Prize, the Longman/History Today Book of the Year Award and the WH Smith Literary Award.
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Description
Natasha's Dance by Orlando Figes is an enthralling exploration of Russian culture and identity that spans centuries and geographical boundaries. The book intricately weaves a rich tapestry of stories and characters, illuminating the evolution of Russia from the splendour of 18th-century St Petersburg to the relentless drive of Stalinist propaganda. Through an evocative narrative, Figes brings to life an extraordinary cast of serf artists and aristocrats, revolutionaries and exiles, priests and libertines.
Inspired by a memorable scene in Tolstoy's War and Peace, where the young Countess Natasha instinctively dances to a peasant melody, Figes delves into the heart of Russian cultural identity. This scene symbolises the deep-rooted and instinctive connection Russians have to their cultural heritage, no matter their social standing or foreign education.
Figes' examination extends beyond literature to encompass the entirety of Russian artistic expression. From the poignant poetry of Pushkin and the emotive music of Mussorgsky to the revolutionary films of Eisenstein, Natasha's Dance showcases the diverse elements that have shaped Russian culture. The book also explores folk art, magic rituals of Asiatic shamans, and the resilience shown by ordinary people in the face of historical upheavals.
Orlando Figes demonstrates how Russia's sense of identity is uniquely embedded in its culture, not only in its renowned artistic creations but also in common customs, habits, and beliefs. Despite the vastness and diversity of the Russian landscape, a distinctive national temperament has unified its people, enabling them to withstand immense adversity. From European Russia to the depths of Asia, this shared cultural core has held the nation together throughout its turbulent history.
Natasha's Dance offers readers an immersive experience, providing a profound understanding of what it means to be Russian. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the cultural forces that have shaped one of the world's most enigmatic and resilient nations.
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?
Natasha's Dance by Orlando Figes is widely praised for its exceptional narrative on Russian culture. Reviews highlight the book's ambitious and stunning portrayal of Russian identity and its vivid, entertaining account over the past three centuries. It is considered a masterly and bold interpretative cultural history.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780140297966
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 04 September 2003
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 33.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 545g
Pages: 768
About the Author
Orlando Figes is Professor of History at Birkbeck College, University of London. His last book, A PEOPLE'S TRAGEDY (Cape 1996), won the NCR Book Award, the Wolfson History Prize, the Longman/History Today Book of the Year Award and the WH Smith Literary Award. He lives in Cambridge.
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