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A review by iamjudgedredd
The People Immortal by Vasily Grossman
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Okay, so, I originally picked up Life and Fate, but then I picked up Stalingrad as the first in that 'duology'. Then I picked up The People Immortal as it seemed a little less intimidating, so here we are!
The People Immortal is a 1942 piece of Soviet war propaganda. So, just know that it's filled with state authorized ideologies, and speeches etc. If you can set that aside, Grossman also highlights the effects of Total War on everyone and everything. From the lowliest bugs and birds, to peoples as a whole, nothing is left untouched and ravaged by the course of conflict.
Sometimes the passages are harrowing, other times they're a joyous celebration of brotherhood, patriotism, and victory. But all the time they are heavily tinted with the idea of tying every single Russian together and unifying them in the cause of the defense of the motherland, and soviet communism.
You need to be able to separate the two, and the discerning reader can easily do that - Soviet propaganda isn't very subtle. The prose are at times wonderful, and the Chandler's did an excellent job on the translation. I look forward to his other novels, which being written after the war hopefully aren't quite so in-your-face with the Red Army Gung-Ho etc.
The People Immortal is a 1942 piece of Soviet war propaganda. So, just know that it's filled with state authorized ideologies, and speeches etc. If you can set that aside, Grossman also highlights the effects of Total War on everyone and everything. From the lowliest bugs and birds, to peoples as a whole, nothing is left untouched and ravaged by the course of conflict.
Sometimes the passages are harrowing, other times they're a joyous celebration of brotherhood, patriotism, and victory. But all the time they are heavily tinted with the idea of tying every single Russian together and unifying them in the cause of the defense of the motherland, and soviet communism.
You need to be able to separate the two, and the discerning reader can easily do that - Soviet propaganda isn't very subtle. The prose are at times wonderful, and the Chandler's did an excellent job on the translation. I look forward to his other novels, which being written after the war hopefully aren't quite so in-your-face with the Red Army Gung-Ho etc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death of parent, Blood, Xenophobia, Violence, Rape, War, Sexual assault, Gun violence, and Suicide