James Fitzpatrick answers “Does one have to read In a Just Cause in...”

J. Robert asked this question about Life and Fate:

Does one have to read In a Just Cause in order to read Life and Fate? Or are they stand alone pieces?

James Fitzpatrick I haven't read For a Just Cause myself, I'm not sure if it's been translated yet, but I found Life and Fate to be perfectly readable without having re…moreI haven't read For a Just Cause myself, I'm not sure if it's been translated yet, but I found Life and Fate to be perfectly readable without having read For a Just Cause.
They are effectively separate entities, although I imagine that For a Just Cause would provide backstories for some of the major characters. From what I've read, For a Just Cause was very much a Social Realist novel and is much more conformist in tone and style than Life and Fate. Indeed, it is seemingly in Life and Fate that the characters become more than one dimensional vehicles for broadcasting Stalinist ideals, although that might be a bit harsh.(less)

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