Natasha's Dance: A Cultural History of Russia
by Orlando Figes

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• ISBN13: 9780312421953
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Book Reviews of Natasha's Dance: A Cultural History of Russia

Book Review: Natashas Dance- Orlando Figes
Summary: 5 Stars

It is extra-ordinary.

Natasha's Dance by Orlando Figes is a wonderful journey through any and all aspects of "Russian Culture" which is enthralling.

Like a typical 18 year old(!), I submerged myself completely in Russian Literature, adored the weight and doom and gloom of the poetry and language of Dostoyevsky,Tolstoy, Yevtushenko, Solzhenitsyn and the " gang".

I couldn't get enough of it.

At Drama School we cut our teeth on every which way you could perform Chekhov. Then came the joy of watching the English National Operas production of "War and Peace" and all the ballets - the pagan vibrancy of " The Firebird" and compared it to the child -like enchantment of " the Nutcracker". But this was all learnt or enjoyed as seperate entities. Yes Russian, but not linked together in any way, no continuity link or reference point unless you were an academic or historian who wanted to concentrate on one area.

If only I had been able to have linked it all together, I would have learnt so much more. Natasha's Dance does this brilliantly.

For 21st century " Brits" it is difficult to conceive of how the various influences from Persia to Mongolia and the total immersion of the aristocracy in the " French Way" affected this vast continent called Russia.

How exotic to have a reference book " Letters of a Russian Traveller"( Karamzin) to tell you how to behave as a European!

Perhaps it would help us now ?

This wonderful book, Natasha's Dance, takes you on a panoramic tour with fabulous stop overs of vignettes with personalities, from gourmands and millionaires to the " ordinary person" linking " artists " stories, religion, politics, clothing, dance, music and life. "Russians Abroad", "The search for the Russian Soul", a vast wealth of information, clearly written to capture and retain your imagination, even when the subject matter strays away from your own usual interests.

Glorious illustrations, intriguing chapter titles, the chapters themselves being impossible to stop half way through, and with a fabulous array of wildly varying quotes from wife beating to beautiful poetry, this is a totally absorbing book,which will be a constant source of information and wonder for cultural enthusiasts, music lovers and book readers for many years to come.

Irritatingly, I will now have to use the suggested further reading as I am now hooked !

And at the end of it

" .......silently I came to recognize
the inimitable features of Russia"

Caro

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