Russian identity in the last hundred years: From D-503 to Homunculus Loxodontus

Abstract

This review essay delves into the exploration of Russian identity over the past century through the analysis of three books. The study begins by examining the role of Zhdun as a metaphor for the post-Soviet self, highlighting its connection to a sense of suspension and the search for a stable identity, as suggested by Borenstein. Referring to the identity debates during the early Soviet society, the author discusses the transformation of individuals into Soviet citizens and the impact of Soviet policies on personal expression, as exposed in Postoutenko and Tikhomirov’s volume. The difficulties faced by foreign correspondents reporting on Soviet Russia reveal the challenges of obtaining accurate information due to censorship and political limitations, as Rodgers emphasizes in his account. This contributes to the creation of a mythical Russian identity. The review concludes by suggesting a reading order for the three books, highlighting their different organizational approaches and scopes.