Beginning in the eighteenth century with the building of St. Petersburg and culminating with the Soviet regime, Figes examines how writers, artists...
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Dec 19, 2007
Katya
rated it: 
Figes has gathered a lot of cultural information and organized it into one book, which is very helpful if you want to get a general review of Russia's culture without referring to multiple sources. Some threads that go through the entire book and tie the narrative together, such as the history of the Fountain House in St. Petersburg, almost give you an impression that you are reading fiction. However, some of the information that Figes offers is incorrect. For example, when talking about Dost
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Apr 20, 2009
Susan
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I'm tempted to say that this is a great book because like Russian art it has a soul, but that sounds presumptuous since I've not an expert on any Russian art and I've never been to Russia. But I've been a fan of Russian literature--especially the great novels of the 19th century, and of Russian music and particularly of the Russian ballet and its offshoots in the West.
The book starts with an episode from War and Peace in which Natasha and her brother visit an retired army officer ( More...
The book starts with an episode from War and Peace in which Natasha and her brother visit an retired army officer ( More...
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Aug 04, 2011
A mixed bag, yet worth reading.
About half this book is quite good, and even where it is bad it fails gloriously. Granted, I was more interested in Figes' take on Holy Russia. He did a fantastic job showing the religious depth of Holy Russia. He explored the fine nuances of the Old Believer schism. He showed remarkable skill in dealing with Dostoevsky. Ah, but...
He really wasn't sympathetic to Holy Russia and it shows. He had problems with the Tsar, and it shows. He tried to make the argum More...
About half this book is quite good, and even where it is bad it fails gloriously. Granted, I was more interested in Figes' take on Holy Russia. He did a fantastic job showing the religious depth of Holy Russia. He explored the fine nuances of the Old Believer schism. He showed remarkable skill in dealing with Dostoevsky. Ah, but...
He really wasn't sympathetic to Holy Russia and it shows. He had problems with the Tsar, and it shows. He tried to make the argum More...
Sep 28, 2010
Brett
rated it: 
I had a difficult time determing how I was going to rate this book in the star system, but ultimately had to come to the conclusion that problems I had the book were caused more by my own lack of knowledge than shortcomings in the book. I've always wanted to cultivate an understanding of Russian history, and have bought a whole pile of books to pursue that goal, but they seem lie around unread for long periods of time. I decided to start with this one since it covers the period prior to the rev
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Mar 23, 2011
Caroline
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I've never really known much about Russian history - everything I know is either from War and Peace or studying the Russian Revolution and the Cold War at school. This isn't a standard history - as the title suggests, it's a cultural history. It covers art, literature, music, ethnography, religion. It argues that Russia has always had an identity crisis, torn between the European West and the Asiatic East, the aristocratic and cultured St Petersburg and the rural simplicity of the provinces, a v
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Aug 28, 2011
Malcolm
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Figes begins his discussion of Russian culture with a question – how did the aristocratic Natasha Rostov (in War and Peace) know the dances of the peasantry? He is then able to use this question to explore the idea of a Russian National Cutlure (where the N & the C are my effort to give it some authority). Much as I enjoyed and was engaged by the book it suffers from some real problems, to the extent that I am inclined to agree with Perry Anderson's description of the book as kitsch.
Fi More...
Fi More...
Jan 29, 2012
Emma
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It has been a tour de force getting through this book, but so wonderful and rewarding. Figes covers everything and everyone; at times my lack of real knowledge of Russian history let me down, but as Natasha's Dance renders clearly, Russian culture is so rich and fascinating that there really was no time to get into the whys and wherefores of the Russian revolution and whatnot. (I think I picked up a fair bit of history peripherally from this book anyway). The book is chronological, starting from
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Aug 08, 2008
Book Description (from Amazon.com)
Beginning in the eighteenth century with the building of St. Petersburg-a 'window on the west'-and culminating with the challenges posed to Russian identity by the Soviet Regime, Figes examines how writers, artists, and musicians grappled with the idea of Russia itself-its character, spiritual essence, history, and destiny. What did it mean to be Russian-an illiterte serf or an imperial courtier? And where was the true Russia-in Europe or in Asia? Figes sk More...
Beginning in the eighteenth century with the building of St. Petersburg-a 'window on the west'-and culminating with the challenges posed to Russian identity by the Soviet Regime, Figes examines how writers, artists, and musicians grappled with the idea of Russia itself-its character, spiritual essence, history, and destiny. What did it mean to be Russian-an illiterte serf or an imperial courtier? And where was the true Russia-in Europe or in Asia? Figes sk More...
Apr 01, 2009
Doris
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This was one of the required reading books for my Russian History class in Uni and my what a good book it is! It reads very easily, the language is beautiful and yet conveys the essence of whatever topic figes is on. Topics range from the development of Russian classical music to the differences between St.Petersburg and Moscow. To this date the best cultural overview of Russian History written by a non-Russian. Or a native Russian, for that matter.
Nov 25, 2011
Alastair
rated it:
Eh. I know it's popular history, but there were too many gross oversimplifications in the first chapter for me to deal. Even more frustrating since I really don't know anything substantial about Russian culture, but my bullshit meter was in the orange-to-red zone the whole way through anyway. Can anybody recommend a good substitute aimed at smart people?
[NB I loved Taruskin's Defining Russia Musically]
[NB I loved Taruskin's Defining Russia Musically]
Jun 17, 2011
Jessica
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One of the more accessible history books I've read in a while. I wish Figes would have provided a bit more context throughout the book, rather than assume I knew why X poet/composer/writer was culturally relevant. And I found its internal organization annoying, as it is divided into broad historical themes (Moscow, the church, the peasantry), which can make the transition from chapter to chapter jarring. But the information it presents is fascinating, and Figes has an engaging, enjoyable style.
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Jun 19, 2009
Rhesa
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Everytime I hear he word "Russian Culture", immediately my mind associates it with "romanticism", "peasant ideology" "eccentric fuga mundi" as well as "military socialism". It's full of paradoxes, yet I remember Nietzsche once said that the sign of a perso or nation to posess high culture is the ability to endure contradictions. So I hope I can be more cultured by savoring what the author has to say.
Oct 27, 2009
Nils
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This is a fantastic cultural history of Russia from the time of Peter the Great almost up to the present. Brilliantly organized and written by Professor Orlando Figes, this book gives you the smell of the Russian soil and will explain many things about the country and the Empire that you didn't know before. All the cultural icons are here and many more. highly recommended.
Dec 02, 2008
Denis
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Massive and exhaustive study of the arts through Russian history. It's difficult to absorb all of it in one take, because of its (admirable) scope, but it is fascinating and extremely instructive. Figes' knowledge and sense of analysis is breathtaking, and he's passionate enough about his subject to avoid being dry and boring (always a risk with such matters). An illuminating read, that helps in understanding not only the Russian culture but the whole fate of this country.
Jul 05, 2010
The history of Russia is long, complex, fascinating, and sprawling, and this book, understandably, is the same. The author assumes the reader has some awareness of Russian history. Further research is required for the rest of us. He gives a well-deserved nod to the artists who recorded Russian history in the face of persecution and censorship.
Aug 22, 2007
Naomi
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Strangely, this book is not published in Russian, which is a shame as I thought it would be an excellent birthday gift for a Russian friend of mine. It took me quite a while to read through this book but it expanded and enhanced my understanding of Russian cultural development enormously. I especially enjoyed Figges' research into the myth of the Russian peasant as this theme has saturated so many 18th century novels to such a degree that without understanding its genesis and power over the Russ
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Apr 28, 2011
Jeff
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'Natasha's Dance, A Cultural History of Russia'. Orlando Figes, 2002. Unwieldy, all encompassing, occasionally lacking in accuracy, but always captivating, "Natasha's Dance" is a behemoth of a book. Having walked the great halls of the Hermitage, laughed at the humor in Chekhov's plays, viewed the films of Eisenstein, experienced the great beauty of the Kirov, Bolshoi, and Tchaikovsky, and well read in Pasternak, Dostoevky, Tostoy and of course Pushkin, I naively thought that I was wel
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Aug 24, 2008
Patrick
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Wonderful reading about the twists and turns of Russian history through cultural and artistic events from 12th century Rus' through the Soviet era. Tolstoy would have us believe that "Russia may be held together by unseen threads of native sensibilities," writes Figes. The complex interrelations between the Europeanised upper class & the peasants had a crucial influence on the national consciousness of Russia.
I loved the stories of the Asiatic origins of many famous works More...
I loved the stories of the Asiatic origins of many famous works More...
Sep 10, 2011
Kotinka
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Quite simply the pinnacle of Figes' consistently excellent writing career. He combines an incredibly fluid and readable style with intense and moving detail on one of modern history's culturally richest and most fascinating periods.
Aug 06, 2011
A bit dense and somewhat confusing for someone who doesn't know much about Russian art & literature, but a masterful and thorough introduction to the topic. Worth a re-read. I finished it 2 DAYS before I left for Russia.
Sep 02, 2011
Cath
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Highly recommended for anyone wishing to gain a comprehensive understanding of the arts and culture of Russia. I'm not sure how useful this book is for someone with little or no background in this study though.
Apr 10, 2009
Danielle
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longest history book i have ever read. i am sad to report that it took me all summer to read it because i kept taking breaks. if it was half the size it would have still be a great read.
Jun 25, 2011
Fran
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Explains a lot about the history of Russia which I never knew or fully understood. I am reading it in preparation for an upcoming trip to Russia-- it is an excellent resource!
Mar 14, 2011
Charles
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This is the best book I've ever read on the history of Russia. Very engaging and insightful. I feel much more informed about this vast land.
Jul 22, 2009
Jay
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Really good, but the Soviet part is kind of shitty in that it only talks about those who opposed the Soviet Regime. Um. Thanks? Fucking prick.
Jul 23, 2011
For those who like Russian history it provides some very interesting insights into the effect of culture on Russia's history.
Jan 03, 2009
Johnathan
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An exhaustive look at around 300 years of Russian cultural history. Provided some amazing narratives and stories.
Aug 11, 2011
for everyone who wants to understand that every "nationality" is a artificial creation in many ways ...
Nov 22, 2011
Landjonker
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Wonderful. A must for everyone interested in Russian culture, history, literature and more.
Jun 04, 2011
Mitch
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The best and most readable overview of Russian culture out there. A must-read.
