My new book, One Hundred Years of Exile: A Romanov’s Search for her Father’s Russia, was set for release on October 6. I had been looking forward to it until I heard these words: “You know, this might not be such a good time to release your book.”
“Why?”
“Well, our relations with Russia aren’t all that great right now.”
My friend Ann and I were out walking in the empty streets of San Francisco during the pandemic of 2020. Our walks are a way to keep sanity in lives disrupted by a world changed immeasurably over the last six months.
Her words ring with a firm reality. Do I want to publish a book about Russia during debates about election meddling, illegal land grabs in Crimea, and poisoned political opponents, just to list a few issues? But waiting for American/Russia relations to be positive could be a long haul. I have spent much of my life wishing relations were better between my father’s homeland and my adopted home.
In the 1950s, as a young child, I was an immigrant who spoke Russian and had a Russian name. It was the heart of the McCarthy era. Movie stars were being jailed as spies for Russia. And I was trying to raise money by selling cookies in my neighborhood so my friends and I could go to summer camp with the Russian scouts.
It was not a good moment to be out on the street raising money for “Russians.” And it seems things have not improved all that much today.
Ann continued. “And on top of that, the book celebrates the 100-year anniversary of the Evacuation of the Crimea.”
“Yes . . .” I had been quite pleased that the book would be published exactly 100 years after my grandparents fled Crimea.
Once again, I knew what she meant. Crimea was illegally taken over by Russia six years ago and is still subject to great contention globally. I traveled there last year in search of material for my book, because I needed to see where my grandparents spent their last days on Russian soil. And I couldn’t wait for all of these global political issues to get resolved.
But this was far from the first time Crimea was controversial. It was the site of many historic battles and territorial disputes. The Charge of the Light Brigade, and the emergence of Florence Nightingale happened there. The Mongolian Golden Horde, known to me as Tatars, made their last stand there at the end of the eighteenth century. Coincidentally, their remaining descendants helped my family survive by selling wheat to my grandfather.
And of course, in 1920, when it all ended for my family, the area was again in conflict.
Crimea was the last hold out of the anti-Communist White Russians whose defeat forced my family’s flight. And Ukraine and Russia were at war, for Ukraine had just joined with Poland and was fighting for its independence.
Sound familiar?
It was actually the resolution of that conflict that led to the White Army’s final defeat in the south of Russia. The Bolsheviks were freed to head their way, and then an early freeze connected Ukraine to Crimea and allowed the Red Cavalry to drive to a successful victory. 100 years later, Russia and Ukraine are again in conflict over the subject of independence.
I could spend the rest of my life waiting for Russian American relations to improve. The upcoming election is not likely to either facilitate that or create an easy environment for a new book launch. And all this is on top of a pandemic that guarantees I cannot meet with people in person to promote my book.
My grandparents had no choice about the timing of their flight from Russia, and I have no control over the global political situation on the 100 year anniversary of their flight. They had no idea where they were heading, or what country would give them shelter. On the other hand, I have been sheltered since childhood by my country, my America. I am not giving up on America, I am not going to deny my father’s Russian blood, and I am not going to try and erase my past or my family’s history.
You don’t get to choose the date of the 100 year anniversary of your family’s flight from their country. You don’t get to choose the country they came from or its relationship with your homeland. The only thing you can choose is whether or not you are going to tell their story.
My book will be released on October 6, with an official publication date of November 13, 2020, exactly 100 years—to the day—after my father and his family fled Crimea.
Tania
👉 Mark your calendars!
Book Passage online launch Saturday, Oct. 10, 6 p.m.
Excited and honored to launch my forthcoming book, "One Hundred Years of Exile," with an interview by Don George, sponsored by our beloved Book Passage Bookstore & Cafe!
Register now! Hope you can make it! https://bit.ly/3cr6sLn
📚 "A harrowing but touching tale, one that couples cinematic drama with both tragedy and triumph. A gripping family account, historically rigorous and ultimately moving." - Kirkus
More here: https://bit.ly/2ZctccL