A World Can End

by Irina Skariatina

Personal narrative describing childhood in Russia and the Russian Revolution, by Irina Skariätina (Mrs. Victor F. Blakeslee) formerly Countess Irina Wladimirovna Keller.

351 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1931

Reviews

[Teresa Osgood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was indexing some old naturalization records, making them searchable in FamilySearch.org, when I ran across an application by a Chicago housewife who claimed to have entered the country as Countess Keller. Really, I thought. So I did an internet search on her name, and found that not only had she been a Russian countess and come to America, but that she'd written some books about her experiences. Thanks to Interlibrary Loan, I held a copy of the first in my hands a couple of weeks later. And it is a really interesting story. Irina was the daughter of a General and a Princess, and grew up in somewhat lonely luxury. The first part of the book tells about her childhood and teen years, her illness that sent the whole family to France for a couple of years, torments from her older siblings, gifts both handmade and bejeweled. Then most of the book is taken from her diary of the Russian Revolution. Having faithfully kept a diary since age seven, it was natural for her to record what she saw of "this Revolution with my very own eyes and [heard] with my very own ears." And she wrote it down with a pretty open mind, telling which speakers were inspiring, but also how chaotic and unpleasant conditions soon became. She faced the changes with humor for a while, with a sense of service, and with faith that didn't run out. I learned a lot about the history here, and I'm grateful to live in a real Republic, no matter the problems we face. Eventually Irina did escape, though the book ends abruptly before that event. But I found closure in rereading the introduction and foreword, which told more of the end at the beginning. And I think I'll have to search out her other works.

[Claudia Cabello Glass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been on a Russian biography and memoirs kick for a while now, and I was truly moved by this book in particular. Her writing is vivid. Her stories are at times funny, other times dramatic, but never over sentimental. I almost cried when she described the passing of her mother, whom she referred to as Muzzie. Her resilience throughout the war and revolution is inspiring. Her explanation for not wanting to leave Russia was also very illuminating. I always wondered why so many of the Nobility stayed after the revolution and perished. Well, you will better understand after reading her memoir.