A.K. 47 - Selections from the Works of Alexandra Kollontai

42 - A.K. 47 - The Loves of Three Generations Part I

December 25, 2019 Kristen R. Ghodsee Season 2 Episode 15
A.K. 47 - Selections from the Works of Alexandra Kollontai
42 - A.K. 47 - The Loves of Three Generations Part I
Show Notes

In this episode, Kristen R. Ghodsee reads the first part of Alexandra Kollontai's 1923 short story, "The Loves of Three Generations," her most controversial piece of fiction and one that caused her terrible amounts of trouble with her Bolshevik colleagues. This story is written as a letter to Kollontai from a revolutionary comrade who is having personal problems and seeks Kollontai's advice. This colleague wants to know if her own feelings of betrayal and jealousy are remnants of the bourgeois past or whether she is justified in her indignation. This story reflects Kollonta's proposal that romantic love will come second to love for work and for the collective in the new socialist society to come. Most Russian readers were horrified by this story in 1923.

Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no funding. If you would like to support the work being done here, please spread the word and share with your friends and networks, and consider exploring the following links:

Buy Kristen Ghodsee's new book now: Everyday Utopia

Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee's (very occasional) free newsletter.

Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work at: www.kristenghodsee.com