Mother Russia: The Feminine Myth in Russian Culture

by Joanna Hubbs

"Joanna Hubbs has found the trace of Baba Yaga and the rusalki and Moist Mother Earth and other fascinating feminine myths in Russian culture, and has added richly to the growing interest in popular culture." ―New York Times Book Review

" . . . brave . . . fascinating . . . immensely enjoyable . . . " ―Times Higher Education Supplement

" . . . a stimulating and original study . . . vivid and readable." ―Russian Review

"An immensely stimulating, beautifully written work of scholarship." ―Francine du Plessix Gray

"Joanna Hubbs has provided scholars . . . with a wealth of significant interpretive material to inform if not reform views of both Russian and women's cultures." ―Journal of American Folklore

A ground-breaking interpretation of Russian culture from prehistory to the present, dealing with the feminine myth as a central cultural force.

Genres: Russia, Nonfiction, Adult, Feminism

Paperback

First published November 1, 1988

Reviews

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting! This is the best nonfiction book I've ever read. Read this along side the Afanas'ev collection of Russian Fairy Tales. In particular, read "Ivan the Cow's Son" right after you finish the chapter on Baba Yaga. It will change the way you read female characters forever. And if you want an extra treat, read Orson Scott Card's book "Enchantment" afterwards; I think you'll be shocked and maybe even outraged!

[Kimi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't actually read this cover to cover... Basically just used this as a reference. Giving it a lower score because it wasn't as encompassing as it could have been. The goddess I wanted information and insight on wasn't even mentioned.

[Brett A Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good information, although you can definitely tell that it is an older format of history book. I would love to see an updated addition with modern formatting and any additional info that came out after the Wall fell.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a rough read. Hubbs doesn't seem to make much of an attempt at accessibility. I especially found the chapters that were post-patriarichal shift somewhat dull and difficult to get through. "Mother Russia" looks at Russian feminine myth and the shift from a matriarchal society to a patriarchal society. It was packed with a ton of information, most of which was incredibly new and interesting to me.