Between Heaven and Hell: The Myth of Siberia in Russian Culture FROM THE PUBLISHER
Siberia has no history of independent political existence, no claim to a separate ethnic identity, and no clear borders. And yet, in some very important sense, the elusive country "behind the Urals" is the most real and the most durable part of the Russian landscape. For centuries, Siberia has been represented as Russia's alter ego, as the heavenly or infernal antithesis to the perceived complexity or shallowness of Russian life. It has been both the frightening heart of darkness and a fabulous land of plenty; the "House of the Dead" and the realm of utter freedom; a frozen wasteland and a colorful frontier; a dumping ground for Russia's rejects and the last refuge of its lost innocence. The contributors to Between Heaven and Hell examine the origin, nature, and implications of these images from historical, literary, geographical, anthropological, and linguistic perspectives. They create a fascinating picture of this enormous and mysterious land.
FROM THE CRITICS
Booknews
The 14 essays illuminate how Siberia has been embedded for centuries in Russian consciousness as the antithesis to the complexity or shallowness of life in Russia, being portrayed as a heart of darkness, a land of plenty, house of the dead, realm of total freedom, a prison for rejects from society, the last refuge of innocence. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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