Title
Stalin's Children: Three Generations of Love, War, and Survival,Used
Processing time: 1-3 days
US Orders Ships in: 3-5 days
International Orders Ships in: 8-12 days
Return Policy: 15-days return on defective items
Payment Option
A transcendent history/memoir of one family's always passionate, sometimes tragic connection to Russia.On a midsummer day in 1937, a black car pulled up to a house in Chernigov, in the heart of the Ukraine. Boris BibikovOwen Matthews's grandfatherkissed his wife and two young daughters goodbye and disappeared inside the car. His family never saw him again. His wife would soon vanish as well, leaving Lyudmila and Lenina alone to drift across the vast Russian landscape during World War II. Separated as the Germans advanced in 1941, they were miraculously reunited against all odds at the war's end.Some twentyfive years later, in the early 1960s, Mervyn MatthewsOwen's fatherfollowed a lifelong passion for Russia and moved to Moscow to work for the British embassy. He fell in and out with the KGB, and despite having fallen in love with Lyudmila, he was summarily deported. For the next six years, Mervyn worked day and night to get Lyudmila out of Russia, and when he finally succeeded, they married.Decades on from these events, Owen Matthewsthen a young journalist himself in Russiacame upon his grandfather's KGB file recording his 'progress from life to death at the hands of Stalin's secret police.' Stimulated by its revelations, he has pieced together the tangled and dramatic threads of his family's past and present, making sense of the magnetic pull that has drawn him back to his mother's homeland. Stalin's Children is an indelible portrait of Russia over seven decades and an unforgettable memoir about how we struggle to define ourselves in opposition to our ancestry only to find ourselves aligning with it.'I came to Russia to get away from my parents,' writes Matthews. 'Instead I found them there, though for a long time I didn't know it or refused to see it. This is a story about Russia and my family, about a place which made us and freed us and inspired us and very nearly broke us. And it's ultimately a story about escape, about how we all escaped from Russia, even though all of useven my father, a Welshman, who has no Russian blood, even me, who grew up in Englandstill carry something of Russia inside ourselves, infecting our blood like a fever.'
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main theme of 'Stalin's Children'? A: 'Stalin's Children' explores the profound impact of historical events on a family's identity, focusing on love, war, and survival through generations connected to Russia.
- Q: Who is the author of 'Stalin's Children'? A: The book is written by Owen Matthews, who delves into his family's past and their experiences in Russia.
- Q: What type of book is 'Stalin's Children'? A: 'Stalin's Children' is a blend of history and memoir, recounting personal stories intertwined with significant historical events.
- Q: How many pages does 'Stalin's Children' have? A: 'Stalin's Children' contains 320 pages, providing an in-depth narrative of the author's family history.
- Q: When was 'Stalin's Children' published? A: 'Stalin's Children' was published on September 16, 2008.
- Q: What edition of 'Stalin's Children' is available? A: The currently available edition of 'Stalin's Children' is the First Edition.
- Q: What is the binding type of 'Stalin's Children'? A: 'Stalin's Children' is available in hardcover binding, making it a durable choice for readers.
- Q: Is 'Stalin's Children' suitable for readers interested in Russian history? A: Yes, 'Stalin's Children' is ideal for readers interested in Russian history, as it provides personal insights into the effects of historical events on families.
- Q: What can readers expect from the writing style of 'Stalin's Children'? A: Readers can expect a compelling narrative style that combines personal anecdotes with historical context, making the family’s story relatable and engaging.
- Q: What condition is 'Stalin's Children' in when purchased? A: 'Stalin's Children' is available in new condition, ensuring a quality reading experience.