Remembering Leningrad: The Story of a Generation

Remembering Leningrad is a book that chronicles the lives of Soviet students born under Joseph Stalin's rule and the changes they experienced over the course of half a century. It explores the impact of time and place on the Russian intelligentsia and creates a remarkable group portrait of a generation.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 30 July 2019
Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press

In the early 1960s, a young and ambitious Englishwoman named Mary McAuley arrived in Leningrad, eager to pursue her academic interests by studying labor relations for her thesis. While staying at a hostel, she had the opportunity to meet a diverse group of Soviet students, many of whom were born during the reign of Joseph Stalin. Over the course of the next fifty years, McAuley embarked on a remarkable journey, tracing the diverse paths taken by her friends and observing the profound changes that had taken place in the former imperial capital.

In her memoir, Remembering Leningrad, McAuley vividly captures the essence of this captivating city and the enduring friendships she formed during her time there. Through her poignant anecdotes and insightful observations, she delves into the political climate of the 1960s, the challenges of furnishing an apartment in the 1990s, and the personal struggles her friends faced during the turbulent years of the Soviet Union's collapse.

By seamlessly weaving historical events and personal stories, McAuley paints a vivid portrait of Leningrad's cultural center and the impact it had on the Russian intelligentsia who lived through the transition from Soviet to post-Soviet life. The result is a remarkable group portrait that offers a deep understanding of a generation's experiences and challenges.

Through her memoir, McAuley reminds us of the enduring power of human connections and the importance of preserving our shared history. Remembering Leningrad is a testament to the resilience and spirit of those who lived through a period of profound change and transformation.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780299322502