Olivia Downes’s recent article in Literary Review features The Mozhaisk Road by Lesley Chamberlain, a story set in Moscow during the winter of 1978. The story follows Gels Maybey, a young Englishwoman who had an interest in Russian literature and was eager to leave her privileged upbringing. The review highlights the novel’s portrayal of disillusionment, moral uncertainty, and a fragile hope for change.
Against a backdrop of suppressed protests and political surveillance. Western observers like Howard Wilde and Gels Maybey struggle to understand Soviet power. As Razumovsky steps down and new leadership emerges, the narrative hints at a possible turning point, which questions whether real reform is attainable and who truly seeks freedom. The novel also intertwines the lives of Western and Russian characters and shows how political systems shape personal choices and loyalties.
Lesley Chamberlain is an acclaimed author with decades of research and travel in Russia. She has written extensively on literature and philosophy. The Mozhaisk Road is her fourth novel, with a blend of historical insights and compelling human stories.
We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience and for marketing purposes.
By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies
Discover