The Stalin era—1925–1953—the setting of Aksyonov’s trilogy “Moscow Saga.” Three novels cover some of the most terrifying times in our history: the struggle against Trotskyism, collectivization, the camps, the Great Patriotic War, and postwar repressions. Along with the whole country, the Gradov family—hereditary doctors—go through all the circles of hell.
“Generation of Winter”—the first novel of the trilogy, covering the period from the 1920s to the 1930s. A turbulent time, the romance of youth, the tragedy of the generation that is passing away, and the first real nightmares created by Soviet power. Stalin paves the way to authority, eliminating the army commander Frunze and launching a hunt for Trotskyists. This tragedy pulls into its orbit both the old doctor Boris Nikitich Gradov and the very young Nina Gradova. And at the end of the thirties, the Stalinist repressions’ maw will devour many others as well…
“War and Prison”—the second book of the trilogy—focuses on those dreadful years when some died at war, while others died in the camps. World War II flares up across the entire planet, drawing young and old, generals and privates, scoundrels and heroes into a bloody whirlpool. Not all will live to see victory, not all will find freedom. The grim details of camp life, and almost the same kinds of images of war—though not at all heroic—against that backdrop, and then there is the personal life of the heroes, very personal, sometimes intimate. Vasily Aksyonov remains faithful to his style, and the continuation will not disappoint those who loved the beginning…
“Prison and the World”—the final book of the trilogy. The war is over; people begin to think that now another, free, happy life will begin. But until the end of the Stalin era, there is still a long way to go. Everything will be in our heroes’ lives—both the “Doctors’ Case,” and the fight against cosmopolitanism, the Soviet version of a “hunt for witches,” and the legendary uprising of Magadan prisoners. And it ends on an epic note—with the death of the “great leader of all times and peoples.” Yet life goes on: in the Gradovs’ family there is a great joy—the younger generation is getting married!