Still on Stalin
Nov. 30th, 2022 11:06 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lizbeeThe problem I have with this book is that the material it covers is genuinely fascinating, but the writing style is impenetrable -- I've read and reread whole paragraphs trying to figure out who the subject is -- and Sebag Montefiore just really hates women.
Like, Stalin was absolutely surrounded by women in the 1930s, and they are all fascinating. (Not least Svetlana Iosifovna Alliluyeva, nee Stalina, even as a child.) But Svetlana is the only one Montefiore doesn't despise -- the others are either flighty, materialistic, sexy, westernised AND THEREFORE BAD, or they're Bolshevik career women AND THEREFORE BAD.
Sebag Montefiore uses their letters, diaries and poetry as sources, but doesn't seem to regard them as people -- he talks about how they competed for Stalin's attention and approval, but doesn't get into why. Political advantage for themselves or their families? Sincere belief in his leadership? Genuine attraction? Nah, women are just competitive and flighty, everyone knows that.
(I suspect that, like Stalin, Sebag Montefiore will turn on Svetlana when she reaches adolescence. Or maybe the fact that she defected will save her in his eyes. I can't believe I have to keep reading to find out.)
Anyway, Stalin had an affair with his future MIL when his future wife was three years old, so I'm starting to think he might have been a bit problematic.
Like, Stalin was absolutely surrounded by women in the 1930s, and they are all fascinating. (Not least Svetlana Iosifovna Alliluyeva, nee Stalina, even as a child.) But Svetlana is the only one Montefiore doesn't despise -- the others are either flighty, materialistic, sexy, westernised AND THEREFORE BAD, or they're Bolshevik career women AND THEREFORE BAD.
Sebag Montefiore uses their letters, diaries and poetry as sources, but doesn't seem to regard them as people -- he talks about how they competed for Stalin's attention and approval, but doesn't get into why. Political advantage for themselves or their families? Sincere belief in his leadership? Genuine attraction? Nah, women are just competitive and flighty, everyone knows that.
(I suspect that, like Stalin, Sebag Montefiore will turn on Svetlana when she reaches adolescence. Or maybe the fact that she defected will save her in his eyes. I can't believe I have to keep reading to find out.)
Anyway, Stalin had an affair with his future MIL when his future wife was three years old, so I'm starting to think he might have been a bit problematic.
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Date: 2022-11-30 12:49 am (UTC)This just in.
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Date: 2022-11-30 01:43 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-11-30 01:51 am (UTC)You don't say!
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Date: 2022-11-30 02:48 am (UTC)Just a tad.
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Date: 2022-11-30 03:39 am (UTC)LOLLLLLL
Sebag Montefiore uses their letters, diaries and poetry as sources, but doesn't seem to regard them as people -- he talks about how they competed for Stalin's attention and approval, but doesn't get into why. Political advantage for themselves or their families? Sincere belief in his leadership? Genuine attraction? Nah, women are just competitive and flighty, everyone knows that.
Ugh, both sexist and frustrating! You know I wouldn't be surprised if genuine attraction is the answer for some of them - lots of people like power, and he wasn't bad-looking. My youngest sister was once Googling for pics when we were talking about historical hotties, and she went, "ooh, who's this cutie? Shit, Stalin!"
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Date: 2022-11-30 03:44 am (UTC)Yes! And apparently after his wife died he had this whole "I'm the most powerful man in the country but really I'm just a lonely single dad" schtick that lots of women found very appealing. Like, I'd be totally into it if it wasn't for the multiple mass murders!
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Date: 2022-11-30 12:19 pm (UTC)