Escape from 'Ward Six': Russia Facing Past and Present - Hardcover

George, Alexandra

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0761811397 ISBN 13: 9780761811398

Publisher: University Press Of America, 1998

Synopsis

This book is a witness account of the transition in Russia, a period which represents a unique crossroads in the country's turbulent history. The author presents a kaleidoscopic view of life in Russia embracing politics, economics, literature, the arts, the Orthodox Church, various social currents and general society. Escape From "Ward Six" also focuses on the past - the violence and terror, the legal and moral nihilism, the destruction of the country's cultural heritage - thereby demonstrating how the country reached a historical dead-end. Polish-language edition, Philip Wilson Warsaw Pub. Ltd., 1984.

About this title

About the Author:

Alexandra George is a British-American Writer, Translator, and Journalist based in St. Petersburg.

Review:

"...We know that the British love Chekhov very much. The fact that for Alexandra George the psychiatric ward and the aspiration of its patients to escape its walls became a symbol of Russia's history is not very surprising. What astonishes one is something else - the accuracy, lucidity and objectivity of this book, an extremely rare attribute for this genre. Novy Inostranets (New Foreigner), Moscow, 1999. 

 Full Page Article entitled: Escape from "Ward Six": "includes fifteen chapters which embrace positively everything: economics, Lenin as the founder of the Anti-World, politics, art, religion, education.  The book's academism is generously diluted by close-ups - both "conversations in the kitchen" and conversations with ordinary people in the depths of the countryside. One can predict with confidence that this book will become a model, that Western sociologists and publicists will draw their conclusions on its basis. A Polish translation of "Escape" is already getting ready for publication.... Alexandra George... is without a doubt a striking representative of a relatively small part of mankind known as "citizens of the world".   Kultura (Moscow) Review, October 7-13, 1999.

 "To follow the author along the principle substantial landmarks of Russian 20th century history is a fascinating affair. Culture and society, militancy and criminality, customs and morals -- everything in Alexandra George's book is called by its name and is displayed without embellishment. The author succeeds best of all in showing how mass consciousness facilely exonerated itself from a sentiment of historical guilt, although each person taken separately is a sufferer and philosopher.  The enigmatic Russian soul! A brilliant tour de force!" Ivan Tolstoy, Cultural correspondent, Radio Free Liberty Radio Europe, Prague.

 The task the author "undertakes is gigantic...The important point of the book is in its title:  Escape from "Ward Six". "Ward Six" is Anton Chekhov's symbolic representation of tsarist Russia as a mental hospital where people are locked in. This image of the country is appropriate for Russia at the end of the century... George had a unique opportunity to witness historical events in Russia for several years; she reflects on them in her book and displays erudition in a wide variety of areas...This fundamental book is recommended to a broad audience interested in the Russian present."  Irina Ustinova, Syracuse University. Slavic and East European Journal 

Russia's Heroes are Certainly a Breed Apart, " Op-Ed Page Article by Larisa Kosova, Moscow Times, 5 August, 1999 (on Escape from Ward Six)

One great value of George's book is that it reflects the life of Russians in large cities, small provincial towns, rural regions, and even some former Soviet republics. (Slavic and East European Journal)

tremendous work...very detailed and well presented book. (Novy Inostranets, (The New Foreigner))

About this edition

• Publisher: University Press Of America
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0761811397
• ISBN 13: 9780761811398
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 788