The focus on the Ramblings today for #ReadIndies is another of my relatively recent discoveries: Fitzcarraldo Editions, an imprint which quickly became a fast favourite and which has provided many of my top reads over the last few years. Their range encompasses fiction, published in striking blue covers, and non-fiction, which appears in white. However, intriguingly enough, I find that when I read one of their books the lines are often blurred – and I regularly find myself querying what is actually fact and what actually fiction… Today’s book may well be a case in point!
The book in question is “In Memory of Memory” by Maria Stepanova, translated by Sasha Dugdale; and it’s released in Fiztcarraldo’s white non-fiction covers. However, a recent and fascinating interview with the author on the Punctured Lines blog refers to the book as a documentary novel; well, whatever you want to categorise it as, “Memory…” is a stunning and unforgettable read!
This book about my family is not about my family at all, but something quite different: the way memory works, and what memory wants from me.
Stepanova is a poet, essayist and journalist, having produced ten poetry collections and three books of essays. As well as winning a number of awards, she’s also the founder and editor-in-chief of the onlne independent crowd-sourced journal, Colta.ru. Sasha Dugdale is already responsible for translating a collection of Stepanova’s poetry, “War and the Beasts and the Animals”, published by Bloodaxe Books (another great indie) and both women have appeared together at events discussing and reading Stepanova’s work.
“In Memory of Memory” opens with the death of Stepanova’s aunt; and the author finds herself left with an accumulation of old postcards and letters, faded photographs, diaries and souvenirs, gathered up over a century of history. As she begins to explore the story of her family as revealed (or partly hidden) by these fragments, she realises that not only does the history relate to her relations, but also to life in Russia during the 20th century. Stepanova’s family is Jewish, and therefore their history is peppered with persecutions and repressions, narrow escapes and tragedies, and it reflects the larger fate of the Jewish people during that period.
This is, however, no straightforward narrative, and Stepanova’s approach is fascinating and unusual. For example, she examines the family photograph through the lens of Sontag and Barthes; she considers the fate of artists like Mandelstam and Tsvetaeva; she relates her own personal journeys to visit locations from her family’s past; and she considers the wider aspect of history itself. This latter element is particularly interesting, as her meditations on what history is, how truthful or not it can be, and the changing relationship we have with the way we record our lives are deep and thought-provoking. The sections on our modern way of charting our every move, photographing everything we do and filling the world with images which may never been looked at again set me thinking deeply about our use of social media and our intense narcissism. In contrast to the way our ancestors lived their lives, it does often seem that we’ve got it very wrong…
However, the way we document our lives is not always so different from those in the past; the example of Charlotte Saloman, whose story Stepanova covers in detail, is deeply moving. Saloman chronicled her life in a frenzied artistic effort, producing 769 paintings in the two years before her murder in Auschwitz. The painterly version of our current obsession with Instagram? Maybe. Then there’s Francesca Woodman, an American photographer who would be roughly my age now, but who took her own life when young, leaving behind a body of nebulous, perplexting work which resists easy definition. And of course there are Rembrandt’s endless self-portraits – another early version of the selfie. As for Mandelstam, he’s a recurring presence in the book, each appearance so desperately moving. “Memory…” does not shy away from the dark elements of 20th century history; even an aside like her comment on the poet Valentin Stenich where she notes darkly, “It’s said that he did not conduct himself with honour at his interrogation. God forbid anyone should find out how we conduct ourselves at ours” is a reminder of just what horrors took place during the relatively recent past.
It’s not only the visual which features in the book, however; there are plenty of written records upon which Stepanova can draw. Interspersed with the main chapters are what she titles “Not-a-chapter” sections; these reproduce letters to and from her various ancestors and these are moving remembrances of her family, often from their younger years when courting or away fighting or working. These perhaps inform the sections where Stepanova queries our treatment of the dead; with our access to recorded history and the endless research resources available nowadays, we can reclaim them and remember them in ways they may never have wanted, instead of allowing them to quietly fade away into distant family memory. With the development in the 20th century of the technology for us to film and record ourselves and our dearest ones, we have given them a kind of fixed immortality which perhaps blurs the lines between past and present. Yet Stepanova queries whether we have lost the ability to recognise the past as the past and learn from its mistakes – something which is very relevant nowadays.
As you might have gathered, “In Memory of Memory” is an often startling and unique book, encompassing art, literature, history and so much more. It’s a work which operates successfully on a number of levels, weaving together personal history and History with a capital H, always informed by Stepanova’s “not obvious”, as she puts it, Jewish heritage. There are juxtapositions of beauty and horror – the stunning art of Charlotte Salomon followed by the stark relating of her fate. The chapter on the Siege of Leningrad in particular shows Stepanova’s skill; here, from a plethora of sources (eye witness accounts, diaries etc) she pieces together the story of Lyodik, her grandfather’s cousin, alongside that of scores of others caught in the siege, from Lydia Ginzburg who left behind her blockade diary to the tragic author Daniil Kharms who died of starvation during the siege. That particular section is remarkably powerful and packs a real emotional punch…
At one point in the narrative, Stepanova describes this as the book she was always going to write, regarding herself as her family’s chronicler and stating (perhaps with a nod to Lenin at the Finland Station):
I always knew I would someday write a book about my family, and there were even periods when this seemed to be my life‘s purpose (summarizing lives, collecting them into one narrative) because it was simply the case that I was the first and only person in the family who had a reason to speak facing outwards, peering out from intimate family conversations as if from under a fur cap, and addressing the railway station concourse of collective experience.
Certainly the family couldn’t have had a better writer to record their lives and fates, albeit in such an unusual and inspiring format. As I mentioned at the start of this post, although “Memory…” is published as non-fiction by Fitzcarraldo, Stepanova has herself described it as a novel, and she does indeed query the accuracy and literal truth of any history. Certainly, hindsight can blur our reactions to the past, our memories are often partial and mistaken (another theme in the book) and there are no real absolutes when we look back. We are human and fallible, but the best we can do is to explore the past and draw conclusions from it. What conclusions do I draw from “In Memory of Memory”? That it’s a remarkable, brilliantly written book which provokes all manner of thoughts, questions, ideas and memories in me as a reader as well as keeping me gripped from start to finish. The book is 500 pages long and I didn’t feel there was a word wasted. Intriguingly, translator Sasha Dugdale reveals in her note at the end of the book that the book evolved in its English version as author and translator collaborated together; a tribute to both of their work and they’re obviously another author/translator match made in heaven.
“In Memory of Memory” is an outstanding achievement; a personal history which extends to a wider History as well as an exploration of the culture and life of the 20th century, it’s unlike anything else I’ve read and it’s a book which will really stay with you. It’s full of riches (only some of which I’ve been able to touch upon here), and as you can see, my copy is riddled with sticky notes; I could do a whole post just of amazing quotes from it. However, it’s published today and I urge you to get a copy and read it if you can – a wonderful book and an unforgettable reading experience.
Olga Zilberbourg
Feb 17, 2021 @ 07:06:15
Thanks for this beautiful and detailed review. i’m so glad to hear that you found the pages on her ruminations on history and how we live our lives interesting. Her way at looking at the world is very relatable to me, and I did too find the artists’ stories very engaging.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 17, 2021 @ 07:48:03
Thank you Olga. It’s such a stunning book and I think I shall be haunted by it for quite some time…
Gilt and Dust
Feb 17, 2021 @ 07:36:56
You’ve definitely convinced me! Off to find a copy now
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 17, 2021 @ 07:46:52
Hurrah! It really is a very special book!
Tony
Feb 17, 2021 @ 08:07:39
I unexpectedly received a copy of this last week, and I’m certainly thinking of trying it (however, I’m a bit surprised that I did get a copy seeing as I’ve been told on several occasions that I can’t be sent books I actually asked for…).
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 17, 2021 @ 13:02:25
LOL! I’m glad you got a copy of this – I thought it was quite stunning!
Tony
Feb 17, 2021 @ 22:10:47
I’m sure it’s good, it just continues a recent trend of not getting what I request and getting what I didn’t ask for 😦
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 18, 2021 @ 14:59:46
;D ooopsie…
J. C. Greenway
Feb 17, 2021 @ 09:05:51
Wonderful, am off to find a copy now!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 17, 2021 @ 13:01:58
Hurrah!!
Claire 'Word by Word'
Feb 17, 2021 @ 09:17:06
This does sound wonderful and reminds me a little of the tendency of the author Laura Cuming who write On Chapel Sands chiefly about her mothers life but also through the lens of various photos and artworks, it was fascinating, perhaps because of her engaging style and knowledge/practice of looking hard at an image and seeing the story and clues beyond the superficial image.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 17, 2021 @ 13:01:47
Approaching memoir through photographs is certainly fascinating, and Stepanova explores this quite brilliantly. But she also blends this with written works, artworks, personal memories, physical journeys to locations – really, so many different aspects! A marvellous book.
A Life in Books
Feb 17, 2021 @ 09:38:53
Such a passionate review! You’ve made me want to read it. The line between fiction and non-fiction is often blurred, isn’t it. I’d argue that any book classed as memoir is likely to have one foot in both categories given that memory is so unreliable.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 17, 2021 @ 13:00:20
I really was taken with this book – so many fascinating elements to it, and if you read it I hope you enjoy it. And I agree with you – our memories are so fragile and subjective that there are never any absolutes.
Tredynas Days
Feb 17, 2021 @ 11:14:05
What interesting books this ‘read indies’ endeavour is turning up! Small publishers are doing such great work.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 17, 2021 @ 12:59:17
It is – indie presses are definitely the ones ot watch as they’re taking the risks with interesting books which mainstream publishers don’t seem to want to.
languagehat
Feb 17, 2021 @ 13:35:10
It was definitely the book of its year in Russia, and in fact in a recent poll of dozens of critics and authors that led to a list of the 100 greatest books of the first twenty years of the century it came out as #1 (though I would discount that a bit for recency effect). Another long and thoughtful review was posted by Chris Edgoose here. I’m very much looking forward to reading it.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 17, 2021 @ 13:46:18
Well, I know it will feature in my end of the year round up – which is quite something this early in the year! It’s certainly a special book and thanks for the link – I’ll check out the review!
Jane
Feb 17, 2021 @ 15:28:20
This does sound fascinating, looking at memories is always intriguing but thinking about what they mean now with our constant barrage of images is an interesting point. Lots to think about here, I’ll have to get a copy.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 17, 2021 @ 15:36:15
It certainly is very thought-provoking. Our brains are so overloaded from the various types of media surrounding us, I think that all of our memories must be suspect nowadays!
Cathy746books
Feb 17, 2021 @ 16:08:10
This sounds really wonderful and a lot of that is down to your fantastic review.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 17, 2021 @ 16:15:44
Thank you! It really is a very special book!
JacquiWine
Feb 17, 2021 @ 18:34:55
At the risk of echoing your other commenters, I have to say this does sound fascinating. A beguiling blend of the personal and political, encompassing elements of memoir, history, art and literature. You’ve made it sound very special indeed. Bravo!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 17, 2021 @ 19:07:53
Thank you! It really is a very special book with a powerful impact – highly recommended!
Julé Cunningham
Feb 17, 2021 @ 18:36:13
This is a post I’m bookmarking and just skimming at the moment because this is a book that is high on my TBR. I’m looking forward to both the book and getting back to your post!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 17, 2021 @ 19:07:26
I do hope you enjoy it – it’s definitely going to be one of my books of the year!
hopewellslibraryoflife
Feb 17, 2021 @ 19:40:26
Very interesting! I think I’ll try this one.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 18, 2021 @ 15:00:46
It’s definitely worth investigating! ;D
heavenali
Feb 17, 2021 @ 20:48:05
Fitzcarraldo are such an interesting publisher. This sounds excellent, families are packed full of stories, I love books that explore them.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 18, 2021 @ 15:00:32
They are – I’ve never been disappointed by a Fitzcarraldo!
Liz Dexter
Feb 17, 2021 @ 21:45:22
That sounds a challenging but ultimately rewarding read – love the festooning of post-it notes!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 18, 2021 @ 15:00:15
It was – some parts were so moving but it was such an inspiring read at the end of it. Loved it!
TravellinPenguin
Feb 17, 2021 @ 22:28:44
You have been writing about some really interesting books.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 18, 2021 @ 14:59:24
I must admit I’ve really been enjoying the indies this month – some great books!
lauratfrey
Feb 18, 2021 @ 06:57:07
Wow! You’ve sold me. “Documentary novel” sounds more appealing than “autofiction” but this sounds unclassifiable, in the best way
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 18, 2021 @ 14:59:02
Yeah, that’s better terminology – and it doesn’t read like fiction to me. But it *is* fascinating and unclassifiable as you say!
1streading
Feb 18, 2021 @ 10:51:47
This is definitely on my ‘to buy list’ – it sounds fascinating both in terms of content and form.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 18, 2021 @ 14:58:24
It is! I highly recommend it, Grant!
buriedinprint
Feb 19, 2021 @ 19:22:33
This sounds superb. I can see the library has some of her poems (via an indie press in New England in the US, Zephyr Press) but not this one. I’ll keep an eye out: thank you!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 19, 2021 @ 19:42:27
Most welcome! I’m hoping to read her poetry too!
chrisharding53
Feb 22, 2021 @ 12:05:17
I can only echo what so many others have said – this sounds fascinating.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 22, 2021 @ 14:56:58
It really is – such a wonderful and stunning piece of writing.
anna amundsen
Mar 02, 2021 @ 18:16:23
This book is jumping out at me from all corners and every time I see it I get a bit more intrigued. I’ve been getting to know Fitzcarraldo mainly through your blog and I’ve grown a kind of lust for them. Another title to add to the list.
I wonder what you do with all those sticky notes once you’ve read the book. Do you leave them as they are?
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 02, 2021 @ 18:49:59
Fitzcarraldo really do publish some wonderful books, and ones which don’t comfortably fit into categories, which I love. This one is particularly good…
As for the sticky notes, I tend to leave them in for the time being, though long-term I don’t know. I never use all the quotes I mark, so I could just transcribe the relevant page numbers into a notebook…
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litlove
Oct 31, 2021 @ 16:48:48
Wonderful review! I can see how much you loved this book and it sounds like it really repays a deep and attentive reading. The perspectives on memory sound fascinating and I do love stories about artists. I’d be interested in this just for what it has to say about Francesca Woodman but I can see there is much, more than that to recommend it! Definitely being bumped up the list.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 31, 2021 @ 19:50:57
Thank you! It really is a book full of insights and ideas, and it took me off exploring in so many different directions. I do hope you like it when you get to it – I highly recommend it, obvs! 😀
Looking back on highlights of 2021’s reading… | Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings
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