Book #46 of 2024: Breaking Stalin's Nose

[thistlechaser]

Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin.

Quick synopsis: Set in Stalin's Russia, a young boy sees how quickly things can change in a country full of fear and paranoia.

Brief opinion: Easily the most chilling children's book I ever read, and one of the most chilling ones of any kind of book I have read, period.

Plot: Ten year old Sasha's only goal in life is to join the Young Pioneers (Stalin's youth organization). He has "drank the Kool-Aid" as much as one boy can, he's clearly been brainwashed by his father, his teachers, the media, and everything else in his life.

His father is part of the State Security (secret police), and Sasha sees him as not only his personal hero, but as a hero of Stalin and Russia itself.

In the book's afterwards, the author wrote about how Stalin used paranoia and fear (of capitalist spies) to keep control in the country. That ended up being the downfall of Sasha's father, Sasha himself, Sasha's teacher... basically no one was safe.

In harsh living conditions, 48 adults lived in a set of "apartments" (a single room for each family) with ONE shared bathroom and one kitchen; if you turn someone who has a bigger room in to State Security, you could get their room. Even if they did nothing. Even if they were a member of State Security.

A neighbor reports Sasha's father, and since his father was "guilty" (anyone reported is guilty), then that means Sasha was a traitor to the state as well.

The story ended with Sasha on a three day long line to try to see his father in prison... but his father had most likely already been shot.

Writing/editing: The writing was so good and the editing was perfect. This may have been a children book, but I never once felt like the writing was immature. It hooked me from the first page and I could barely stop reading.

What I Liked/What I Didn’t Like: There were only two things I didn't like: It was so short and the art was cartoonish. I assume they made the art less realistic to try to soften the blow for very young readers. It was kind of jarring to me though.

I saved so many quotes. In this one, Sasha is talking to Stalin's nose (that he broke off a statue by mistake, a high crime in Russia of that time and one he could be put to death for, even at his age).

Stalin's nose looks at the pipe and says, "Which reminds me of an incident. Once, I received a delegation of workers from the provinces. When they left, I looked for my pipe but did not see it. I called the chairman of the State Security. 'Nikolai Ivsanych, my pipe disappeared after the visit of the workers.' 'Yes, Comrade Stalin, I'll immediately take the proper measures.' Ten minutes later, I pulled out a drawer in my desk and saw my pipe. I dialed the State Security again. 'Nikolai Ivsanych, my pipe has been found.' 'What a shame,' he said. 'All of the workers have already confessed.' "

Rating: 1-Hated / 2-Disliked / 3-Okay / 4-Liked / 5-Loved: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- 5 stars / loved it! This is one book I wish I could give more than five stars.

The author lived through this time period, growing up as a boy then, which is how it's so realistic. I've already gotten two more books by him set during this time.

Comments

[loup_noir]

Thanks for thinking of me. My library has the title, and I've requested it. Sounds like something right up my alley.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Yay great! Hope you enjoy it as well!

[loup_noir]

I read it last night and really enjoyed it. He managed to keep it bleak and yet end on a slightly hopeful note. He's got quite a few books out. I might give one or two a go, but first I need to finish the Slow Horses series.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you liked it! I read most of his other fiction, but nothing worked as well for me as this one. I reviewed one of his other books here, but couldn't read the other for technical reasons: https://thistle-chaser.livejournal.com/1743766.html (https://thistle-chaser.livejournal.com/1743766.html) (https://thistle-chaser.livejournal.com/1743766.html)

Thanks for mentioning Slow Horses! I liked the subject matter, but the show didn't hold my attention. I got a copy of the book, I bet it will work better for me.