Book Review

"A Schoolboy Caught in the Russian Revolution."

André Mitchelson.

This book does not belie its subtitle of "A Record of a Nightmare Adolescence" Few autobiographies can compare with it for descriptions of privations and suffering. No proof is offered of its authenticity, but it is such a vivid subjective treatment of the youthful view-point as to be absolutely convineing. From it one obtains a stark picture of the chaotic period between the overthrow of Tsarism and the establishment of Communism. It was a time of famine and pestilence, ghastly conditions aggravated by other nations, notably Britian and France, Supporting the White Army.

But those conditons are not seen at the attempts of a youth to chop off the ribs of a horse that had dropped dead in the street; as the taste of a fried crow; and in the frightfulness of typhus. This youth was not greatly concerned with the dictates of the Kremlin-his enthusiasm for Communism was short-lived when it brought him no material benefits. He was aware that political prisoners were being shot for the saw their bloodstained for sale in the markets; but his contact with authority was merely three days' imprisonment for persistently forcing his way on to overcrowded trams.

His millionaire father had escaped from Russia; the boy endeavoured to reach him by going sough to establish contact with the White Army but the scheme was abortive—the White Army had collapsed for one thing. Then the desire was to return to Moscow.

Ever since the Revolution began this youth had had but one motive—to survive. He had survived, but to do so he had to cast aside all conventions and to ignore all moral values. Hunger and cold had been his only mentors; he had known no other discipline. All emotions, including sensual, had had free rein. Paroxysms of rage owed those about him. He indulged in them to board a train for Moscow and to secure the best accommodation available. That soldiers threw other ticketless people out into the snow a his behest was a source of great satisfaction to him.

He reaches Moscow. But there his excesses begin to take their toll. He becomes a victim of hallucinations his nights are haunted. He knows no peace after dark. Finally he manages to leave Russia but his phantoms still pursue him.—H.