Stories of innocence and bitter experience from a Russian master. Isaac Babel (1894 – 1940) was a Russian writer and journalist best known to English readers for his short stories. He was born into a Jewish family in Odessa, at a time of terrible anti-Semitism. He survived a 1905 pogrom, but his grandfather, Shoyl, was murdered. Babel was a commander during the Polish-Soviet war and witnessed many horrors. With the rise of Stalin, he kept a low profile, his candid writings on the ugly realities of war garnering him enemies in high places. In 1939, Babel was arrested by the Soviet secret police and accused of treason and terrorism. He was executed the following year. Of Sunshine and Bedbugs: Essential Stories is comprised of three parts. "Childhood and Youth" contains sketches from the author's childhood; "Gangsters and Other Old Odessans" concentrates on the gritty side of life in the Jewish ghettos of Odessa, with its dodgy merchants and petty criminals; and finally, "Red Cavalry" chronicles Babel's time in the army and the atrocities he witnessed. The stories are quickly paced, full of lively characters and earthy descriptions. His prose is often humorous and ironic. Here is a passage from the "Childhood" section, about young children recruited for music lessons. “When a boy turned four or five, his mother would drag the tiny frail creature to Mr Zagursky. Zagursky ran a prodigy factory, a factory of Jewish dwarves in lace collars and patent leather shoes. He sought them out in the slums of Moldavanka, in the fetid courtyards of the Old Market. Zagursky showed them the ropes, and then the children were sent off to Professor Auer in St Petersburg. A mighty harmony dwelled in the souls of these starvelings with swollen blue heads. They became renowned virtuosi.” Describing scenes of war, Babel can often shock with brute realism: “He sat leaning against a tree. His boots were stuck wide apart. Without taking his eyes off me he carefully lifted his shirt. His stomach had been torn out, his guts were sliding onto his knees, and you could see his heartbeats.” A bracing introduction to one of the lesser known greats of Russian literature. Of Sunshine and Bedbugs: Essential Stories, by Isaac Babel. Published by Pushkin Press. $24.99 Review by Chris Saliba Comments are closed.
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