Russian Spring

by Norman Spinrad

In the near future, the debt-laden U.S. owns a technology that renders it "the world's best-defended Third World country." The only real outer-space planning is in Common Europe, so young American "space cadet" Jerry Reed goes to work in Paris. He falls in love with and marries Soviet career bureaucrat Sonya Gagarin and the story jumps ahead 20 years, blending world events with a focus on their family. Sonya's star has risen with the Euro-Russians' while Jerry has been stymied by pervasive anti-Americanism. Daughter Franja has her father's space fever and enrolls in a Russian space school; son Bob, fiercely curious about an earlier, admired America before it was run by xenophobic "Gringos," enters Berkeley. Ten years later the U.S. is a pariah, Euro-Russia the pet of the civilized world and the Reeds scattered--politics forced Jerry and Sonya's divorce, Franja speaks only to her mother and Bob is trapped in "Festung Amerika." A series of odd, occasionally tragic events brings the family (and the world) together. Despite some tech-talk this is not science fiction: the first two-thirds of this hefty book is chillingly logical, if sometimes very funny, and while the "happy" ending may seem forced, Spinrad ( Bug Jack Barron ) gives us a wild, exhilarating ride into the next century.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Russia, Space

656 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Born in New York in 1940, Norman Spinrad is an acclaimed SF writer.

Norman Spinrad, born in New York City, is a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science. In 1957 he entered City College of New York and graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree as a pre-law major. In 1966 he moved to San Francisco, then to Los Angeles, and now lives in Paris. He married fellow novelist N. Lee Wood in 1990; they divorced in 2005. They had no children. Spinrad served as President of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) from 1980 to 1982 and again from 2001 to 2002.

Reviews

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good science fiction is a thing to be savored, the anticipation of it is almost as good as the book itself. So it is that this early 90's era Spinrad has been sitting patiently on our bookshelves just waiting for the right moment for me to pluck it down and peruse it's possible futures.

I am often leery of reading more Spinrad as he is a very hit-and-miss author. I think the only book of his that I loved completely and unashamedly was Child of Fortune which featured his trademark futures of a more self-actualized humanity as well as characters and a storyline that I actually care about. Too often in Spinrad's work the plot seems like an afterthought to these fantastic concepts of future societies and human ingenuity that are fleshed out as solidly as the histories of yesteryear. But it's easy to overlook flat characters and stagnant storytelling when the concepts being discussed are so interesting.

Which is why I have not put down Russian Spring despite it's cardboard characters. The setting is just too apropos. Written in the late 80s and early 90s during the onset of Perestroika and the fall of the Soviet Empire, Spinrad imagines a world not unlike the one in which we currently live. The countries of Europe have banded together into a Common Europe (much like the current EU) that is slowly taking advantage of Russia's newfound openness to advance both organization's space programs. Meanwhile America has transformed into a hulking military behemoth (not unlike the America of today). Using its Star Wars program to protect it from any possible retribution from other industrialized nations, it is slowly conquering the entire Western Hemisphere as a means to keep its flagging economy from collapsing. This is a world where the military-industrial complex has completely triumphed and now controls all aspects of the American economy (hmmm... kind of like the current domestic political situation).

Into this mess is thrown hapless space engineer Jerry Reed. Jerry Reed has a dream and that dream is to help take humanity (not one nation or another but humanity as a whole) to the stars, to help spur an interstellar migration like those once dreamt of in the heady years of the Kennedy presidency. Unfortunately all the assignments available in the American space program have to do with the further militarization of space, leaving Jerry's dream to wither and die. Until he is offered a chance to work on the European Space Agency's space program. Realizing that he would have to forsake his country, which for all of its current faults also has a fantastic amount of potential within it, he also realizes that to live his dream he would have to forsake all else.

"I do believe I could learn to walk on water. I'd have to give up everything else to do it, but I could walk on water."

And so Reed does.

[Amy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a loooong time ago -- probably in the late 1980s, though it may have been the early 1990s. It's a product of the 1980s, for sure, in that it addresses Cold War politics and the space race that was very topical at the time. It's one of those books that has stayed with me, though, and I would love to re-read it. One of my favorite ideas comes from this book -- I'm paraphrasing, but essentially, the idea is that one can do anything - even walk on water. The catch is that you may have to give up everything to do it. I've always loved the idea that anything is possible, but everything is not. Highly recommended, I would love to re-read it.

[Gabriel Vatin · Rating 4 out of 5]

De la SF ultra réaliste, c'est une uchronie de 1991 que l'on reconnait encore dans l'actualité de 2014, avec toutes ces tensions entre la Russie, l'Ukraine, l'Europe et les USA... De la SF politique qui imagine une guerre froide remportée par l'URSS, et les USA qui tombent dans la misère et l’extrémisme. Le côté ultra réaliste m'a fait dévorer ce livre en 2 tomes très rapidement !! La descente aux enfers de cette famille dans la conquête spatiale est vraiment très dure.... mais passionnante !
A classe dans la bibliothèque près de Spin !

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Science fiction that has since become alternate history. This is how the Cold War should have ended.

[Jason Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a science fiction novel so on the edge of now that it was sadly out of date even by the time it was published! Spinrad projected forward a few decades of Russian, US and European space programmes on the (mistaken!) assumption that the Soviet Union would continue. He depicts USSR moving into capitalism without crumbling.

Apart from having the rug pulled out from under it by history, this is a splendid SF novel. We follow a number of characters, but principally a top-flight engineer who works on designing spacecraft. His dream, of course, is to one day get up there himself, but this seems frankly impossible. Disillusioned and prickly, he shuffles between the space programmes of different continents, struggling between idealism and compromise.

There's lots more going on, in terms of politics, social liberation (a hippy president!) and romance; but ultimately the novel soars above itself into that fabled sense of wonder that people read SF to find. It's an optimistic vision of a future we've already pissed away...

[Neal Umphred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once one of the leading figures in the "new" science/speculative fiction of the '60s and '70s, Spinrad is almost forgotten in America. Shame. Most of his books are worth reading (at least twice), but RUSSIAN SPRING is the one that I usually suggest as a first novel for those unfamiliar with the man.

Published in 1991, he posited a near future where the US continually elects rightwingnut politicians who take the country down a path of isolationism with an economy built on constant warfare in Third World countries. (Duh . . .)

Our protagonist is an American engineer who eats and dreams space but must abandon his country and take up with the European space program, because of course American doesn't have a space program because why would we waste money on anything as dumb as science?

Great read and still relevant . . .

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a politcal exploration written in 1990, so the world has definitely moved on from that spot. But what makes the book still fascinating is a sweet mix of futures-past reminiscence and how the *current* political clime has changed in line with the books' fictional future. Well worth exploring.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, particularly in the U.S. Foreign policy vein.

[Norm]

Outstanding! Russian Spring reads like an alternate history now, but it's one hell of a book!

[Spellbind Consensus]

"Russian Spring" is a science fiction novel by Norman Spinrad, published in 1991. Set in a future where geopolitical dynamics have shifted significantly, the story explores themes of political power, cultural identity, and personal ambition against the backdrop of an evolving global landscape.

Setting and Background

The novel takes place in a world where the Cold War has ended, but the global political order has changed dramatically. The United States has declined in influence, while the European Economic Community (EEC) has emerged as a dominant superpower, rivaling the Soviet Union, which has revitalized and modernized. The tension between these two powers forms the backdrop for the personal and political dramas that unfold.

Plot Overview

The protagonist, Jerry Reed, is an American aerospace engineer living in France. He is disillusioned with the declining status of America and finds himself increasingly attracted to the dynamic and optimistic environment of the EEC. Jerry's career ambitions lead him to work on a joint European-Soviet space project, symbolizing the collaborative spirit of this new world order.

Jerry's personal life is intertwined with his professional aspirations. He falls in love with a Frenchwoman, Marie-Louise, whose aristocratic family has strong connections within the EEC's political and economic elite. Their relationship is a central thread in the novel, highlighting the cultural and ideological contrasts between America and Europe.

Themes

Geopolitical Shifts: The novel delves into the implications of a world where the EEC and the Soviet Union are the primary superpowers. It explores how these changes affect international relations, economic policies, and individual identities.

Cultural Identity: Spinrad examines the cultural differences between Americans and Europeans, particularly through Jerry's eyes as he navigates his new life in France. The contrast between American individualism and European collectivism is a recurring motif.

Technological and Scientific Progress: The space project represents the pinnacle of human achievement and cooperation, serving as a metaphor for the potential of a united global effort in advancing technology and exploring new frontiers.

Personal Ambition vs. Collective Good: Jerry's journey reflects the tension between personal ambition and the collective good. His career moves and personal relationships are influenced by the broader political and economic context, showcasing the interplay between individual desires and societal expectations.

Character Development

Jerry Reed: A complex character who embodies the struggles of adapting to a rapidly changing world. His professional drive and personal relationships reflect the broader themes of the novel.
Marie-Louise: Represents the old European aristocracy adapting to new realities. Her relationship with Jerry offers insights into the cultural and ideological shifts happening in Europe.
Supporting Characters: Various figures from the EEC and Soviet Union add depth to the political and social landscape, providing diverse perspectives on the changing world order.

Conclusion

"Russian Spring" is a thought-provoking exploration of a future shaped by significant geopolitical changes. Spinrad uses a mix of personal drama and political intrigue to highlight the complexities of cultural identity, technological progress, and the pursuit of a common good in a world no longer dominated by American influence. The novel's rich character development and intricate plot offer a compelling vision of a possible future, making it a noteworthy contribution to the science fiction genre.

[Kevin Phyland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norman Spinrad starts with two premises, both unlikely when this book was written: the United States retreated into isolationism after being locked out of trade with the European Union, and a full monetary and industrial commitment to a Star Wars like SDI shield. When Jerry Reed finds himself sidelined from his space projects for exploration and expansion in the solar system, due to hardened focus on military endeavours, he makes the difficult moral choice to go to Paris and work for the European Space Agency. The ESA is far more peace-focused on space, and Jerry gets appointed head engineer on a number of projects which he himself designed. But he has had to renounce his US citizenship and become a Euro. His wife Sonya meanwhile, is a Russian and a rising star in a Euro version of a Communist company, and as such Jerry becomes persona non grata in the US. The US has now become paranoid and reneged on its national debt, nationalizing all foreign interests and basically become anathema to Europe and the USSR. But they still have a big stick in weaponry in orbit. Led by a power-mad lunatic, the US President brings the world to the brink of nuclear war over Russian attempts to retake Ukraine. Against all this political machination, Jerry’s son Bobby flees to the US but can’t return, and Jerry’s daughter becomes a Red Communist pilot. This is a story of belief. Belief in a dream, belief in family, belief in humanity. Misplaced for the most part and the initial premises which seemed so wildly unlikely, look all too plausible in 2025. Wonderfully drawn characters and believable relationships. Read it.

[Oleksandr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting satire book.
I don't believe in a serious book with the warhead with pig shit.
From satirical point overexplicit and plain heroes do make sense, but some details just show lack of the research in the area. (Such as potato vodka and lack of nationalities in USSR). But some errors obviously made to show absurd of the story.

There are so many levels where Spinrad shows that story is not what it looks like. Alternative future, but almost no changes to technology. Embassy attack.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent tale of the near-future, not too cybery, not too sci-fiey. Spinrad has a knack for making characters you actually care about.

[Stephanie Foust · Rating 4 out of 5]

A formidable novel/alternate history following the lives of Jerry Reed ,Sonya Gagarin,their children and 80's Soviet/American politics. Very challenging @ 550 plus pages but rewarding.

[Andriy Klyuchevskyy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book about possible future of Gorbachev's perestroika.

[Sean Flanagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

weird sex, fascinating time capsule of a novel and in light of post-1991 events in the former USSR and indeed the world way more melancholy a read than it was at the time of publication. very hopeful about the human spirit and full of fascinatingly not-quite politics. too much weird sex tho.