The Mozhaisk Road

Russian Heart of Darkness

By: Lesley Chamberlain

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Paperback | 25 April 2025

At a Glance

Paperback
414 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
15.5 x 23.5 x 3.6

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The time is 1978 and Moscow is still the capital of a Communist country. The political police continues to suppress the protests of dissident leader Alexander Razumovsky and his tiny group of supporters. Western observers Howard Wilde and Gels Maybey face an uncertain Christmas after a public rally is roughly broken up in the city's Pushkin Square.

But when the elderly Razumovsky suddenly steps down in the New Year and a new young leader emerges, the whole world sees a sign of hope. Can this sluggish, downtrodden Russia, despised by its own leaders, suddenly change, inspired by the courage of one Boris Marlinsky? As the Kremlin responds behind the scenes, how close can Western reporters come to grasping the hidden ways of power which seem to seal Russia's troubled fate?

This forcefully imagined prequel to the real events of 1991 changes the lives of Howard Wilde and Gels Maybey, and their American friends Arthur and Harriet. But what then of their Russian friends? Is it only Western hearts and minds that long for freedom along the Mozhaisk Road?

Industry Reviews

Maxine Symons

A truly wonderful book. A many layered book. This is a book about Russia, but it speaks to us all. Although set in 1970s Moscow, what this book reveals is not confined to that continent but has much to say to anyone who has witnessed bravery and determination in the face of greed and corruption and how, through our everyday confusions we struggle to understand what many sacrifice, and have sacrificed for change. And yet there is humour. Many things that have been a part of Chamberlain's life are here - Russia itself, Russian cooking, psychology, philosophy, music, painting and poetry - exemplified by her recent incisive yet gentle tribute to the poet, Rilke. A Gesamtkunstwerk of a book - I would have said that in Russian but, sadly, am not able, but at least I now know the true meaning of spasebo. Whatever your language, whatever your country, read this book.

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