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1980 Hope Against Hope: A Memoir, by Nadezhda Mandelstam, Atheneum, New York
Hope Against Hope: A Memoir is a powerful and moving account of life in Stalinist Russia. Written by Nadezhda Mandelstam, the wife of the famous poet Osip Mandelstam, the book chronicles the couple’s struggle to survive under the brutal regime of Joseph Stalin. Mandelstam’s memoir is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of oppression and persecution. It is a deeply personal and emotional account of one woman’s fight for survival, and a vivid portrayal of life in one of the darkest periods of Russian history.
The book is a must-read for anyone interested in Russian history, as well as for those who are interested in the human experience of living under a totalitarian regime. Mandelstam’s writing is powerful and evocative, and her memoir is a testament to the enduring power of hope in the face of adversity. This book is a classic of Russian literature, and a powerful reminder of the importance of freedom and human dignity.