History Reviews

 My Dear Son: The Memoirs of Stalin's Mother

 by Keke Jughashvili

Published May 17th 2012

Edition language English

Kindle Edition, 31 pages

 

From the early 1920’s-1953 Joseph Stalin, born Ioseb Besarionis Dze Jugashvilli or as his mother called him, Soso, was the leader of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).  We all know the atrocities he committed during his reign. I need not expand.

My Dear Son is from the memories of Joseph Stalin’s mother Ekaterine (Keke) Jughashvilli it is a sweet short book filled with images of a young Stalin told by his loving mother.

In all honestly it was quite puzzling to read. For one,  when one thinks of an evil dictator it is common to assume he had bad parents or a bad childhood, or something horrible happened to him to remove his soul. Yet, Keke describes such tender memories with the young Stalin. He was raised by a woman that adored him, that after losing children early in life to illness, Stalin although an ill child himself, did not succumb to illness but lived. For this, he was showered with love and was cherished by his mother and grandmother.  He also returned the same affection to both ladies.

There are scenes in the book where Keke is downtrodden by life and poverty and a sweet Soso caresses her face, clinging to her with love and assuring her to not cry. He tells his mother if she cries then he will also. Keke puts on a brave face for her dear son and smiles. It is confusing how this is the same boy who grows and allows one of his sons to remain a prisoner of war and die as so, and basically drives his other son to suicide.

Stalin was given so much help along the way. His mother fought hard to protect and educate him even against the will of his drunken father. Others in the community made it possible for Stalin to attend school and provided him with assistance throughout.  Yet, despite all the attention and affection bestowed on him and the adoration of his mother, Soso became Joseph Stalin an atheist dictator, so bewildering.

There was one noteworthy part of the book that I found quite interesting and as much as I learned in school about Stalin and in reading, during my adult life, I had never heard this. Myself being from such a strict apostolic faith one where evil spirits are said to truly exist and call it crazy if you will, it was relevant enough for Keke to recall this memory, therefore, it must have been important for her to point out. Growing up when my grandfather would pray for people said to be oppressed, he would tell the congregation to close their eyes because allegedly, evil sees fear through one’s eyes and enters if there is an opening. I know, I know, it sounds different but as I have said before I was raised hardcore Apostolic and maybe, just maybe, baby Soso should have closed his eyes.

As the young baby Soso grew his health worsened. Keke’s mother encouraged Beso and Keke, Soso’s parents to take the baby to be prayed for. During a trip full of misfortune Keke, Beso and baby Soso finally made it to the church. While there, a woman dressed in white who was said to be possessed with an evil spirit was thrown into the water to recuperate. While this occurred the priest began preaching, the child Soso began to wail and cry and was frightened. He grabbed onto his mother hugging her strongly. Keke immediately leaves the church seeing that something is not right with Soso. Throughout the night the young child Soso continued to jump in his sleep and tremble with fear. He was said to have been delirious and could not be calmed. Eventually he calmed down and became Joseph Stalin (Stalin meaning steel in Russian) and an atheist, maybe it started as a baby for him, atheism, I mean. Who knows? But that would explain all his demolishing of the churches during his reign.

Russian literature has always been my favorite. Tolstoy (the world’s best writer), Akhmatova and Chekov are just a few of my most beloved writers, O and I cannot forget Ayn Rand. I contemplated creating a section for Russian lit and having this book review placed there. I still aim to do so. However, My Dear Son will not grace that tab; the thought of having the name Stalin so close in proximity to Akhmatova’s did not sit well with me.  Especially considering all he did to her.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed this book, My Dear Son it is sweet read and filled with loving memories of a mother and her son. Regardless, of what he became to the world, he was always loved and always Keke's dear son. A mother loves one through it all, good or bad.

 

Happy reading

 

~Francine

Anthem Book Review

My mind, my reviews, my way!