A Girl Grew Up in Russia

by Elisaveta Fen

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• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: B000GM4PBM
• Release Date: January 1972
• Publisher: readers union Newton abbot

Customer Reviews

pre revolutionary russia

Elisavita Fen is the pen name of Lydia Jiburtavitch, the daughter of a Tsarist official born before the Bolshevik period. A Girl Grew up in Russia is one of a quartet autobiography about her experiences during that period, the Revolution and her eventual settlement in England. The other three are: A Russian Childhood, Remember Russia and A Russian's England. Elisavita Fen was of the class which administered the vast Russian empire before 1917 and which was virtually exterminated by the Bolsheviks when they gained power. As a member of this landed class she was priviliged and well educated. They lived in the Russian equivalent of Edwardian comfort. A precocious child she began to write at an early age. She had a feeling for nature and relished the big seasonal occasions of the year. In this volume, which ends in 1915, Elisavita describes her girlhood, boarding school and eventual acceptance to University in St.Petersburg. Although the whole framework of her life is soon to be shattered completely she didn't know that then and doesn't let it shadow her story any more than it did in fact. Elisavita Fen is one of those rare individuals who completely masters a language which is not her mother tongue, even though she had to learn it as an adult. Her writing style is engaging and the story is kept interesting by her skill and the nature of the subject matter, the death of an empire and way of life, and indeed of a whole class of people. All four volumes are high quality work. Each can be read on its own, but, if possible it would be better to read them in sequence to keep with the flow of her life's story.

Poignant

This book transports the reader to early 20th century Russia--meaning it is remarkably easy and natural for a 21st century Canadian to relate to. I loved it because it focuses on that age between childhood and adulthood that is so pivotal in a person's life. The main character is intelligent and humble and her life is full of changes. Being out of print, this book seems all the more valuable to me.