The Mongol Invasion (trilogy)

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The Mongol Invasion (trilogy)
Author Vasily Yan
Original titleНашествие монголов (трилогия)
LanguageRussian
Series Genghis Khan
Batu
To the "Last Sea"
Genre Novel (Historical novel)
Publication date
1939—1954
Publication placeSoviet Union
Pages1056
Original text
 Нашествие монголов (трилогия) at Russian Wikisource

The Mongol Invasion is a trilogy of historical novels by Soviet writer Vasily Yan that explores the Mongol conquests, including the Mongol conquest of Central Asia and their Western campaign, as well as the resistance of the peoples living in Central Asia and Eastern Europe during the early 13th century. [1] This trilogy is considered the author's most renowned work and comprises the novels "Genghis Khan" (1939), "Batu" (1942), and "To the "Last Sea" (1955). [2]

Contents

Vasily Yan developed an interest in Genghis Khan's conquests while serving in the Transcaspian region in the early 20th century. [3] He had been inspired to write about the subject after having a dream in which Genghis Khan tried to defeat him. In 1934, Maxim Gorky recommended Yan to the publishing house Young Guard, which then commissioned him to write a story about Genghis Khan. Yan had already been fascinated by the theme for some time, and the commission gave him the opportunity to write about it. [4] Although the project was undertaken in 1934, it was not until 1939 that the story was finally published, due to various delays.

By February 1940, the manuscript for "Batu", the eagerly awaited sequel, had reached the austere halls of Goslitizdat. Two months later, Yan presented "Invasion of Batu", a children's adaptation, to Detgiz. In 1941, the storm clouds of the Great Patriotic War gathered, and Yan's chronicles of conquest and resistance became relevant. [5] On July 21, 1941, Vasily Yan was formally inducted into the Union of Soviet Writers. Alexander Fadeev championed Yan, and he was awarded the prestigious Stalin Prize of the first degree that same year.

During the Great Patriotic War, Yan continued working on his project while he was evacuated to the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic. After his return to Moscow, Literaturnaya Gazeta announced the impending arrival of his third book, "The Golden Horde and Alexander the Restless", on April 22, 1945. Excerpts had been published in leading publications, stoking anticipation for the work. However, the path to publication was not smooth. Although Yan had delivered the manuscript to Goslitizdat by the close of 1948, it encountered resistance from scholars, namely Artemiy Artsikhovsky and Alexei Yugov, prompting significant revisions. The novel was eventually split in two and published posthumously in 1955.

The books comprising the trilogy have garnered numerous positive reviews from scholars specializing in the History of Russia, medievalists, and Orientalists, as well as critics and literary critics. As a result, they have gained significant popularity and are consistently reprinted.

Books

Genghis Khan

Early in the spring, amidst a belated snowstorm sweeping across the lifeless sandhills of the great Kara-Kum Desert, Haji Rakhim al-Bagdadi, a pauper dervish, is on his way to Gurganj, rumored to be the finest and richest city in all of Khwarazm. In a quiet valley, he discovers a plundered trade caravan and finds the near-death trader Mahmoud-Yalvach in an abandoned yurt, having miraculously survived a brutal attack led by Kara-Konchar ('Black Sword'). Haji treats Mahmud’s wounds and secretly takes his golden falcon-shaped paiza. Then, he assists him in finding refuge at a nearby nomad's yurt. There, Prince Jelal ed-Din Manguberdi, son of Muhammad II of Khwarazm, arrives, having lost his way while hunting a jeyran. He invites everyone to partake of his kill. Kara-Konchar, a tall, slender jigit, appears and tells the sad tale of his family's ruin. Shah Muhammad's revenge on the Turkmen, after they stole from a Kipchak khan, led to the death of his father, his brothers running away, and the kidnapping of his love, Gyul-Jamal. The kind prince offered Kara-Konchar protection and a chance to show his courage, giving him a document written in elegant ligature as a guarantee in Gurganj.

In Gurganj, Haji Rakhim is saddened to learn his father and brother, Tugan, died in the shah's prison. His home is deserted, stirring painful memories of the spiritual conflicts that drove him to Baghdad. Elsewhere, Shah Muhammad seeks his missing son Jalal and executes ten prisoners, but spares a boy named Tugan, who is rejected and driven away by his master. Haji Rakhim then suggests Tugan join him and orders a knife made from Tugan's iron shackles bearing the inscription "Forever unto death". Mahmud-Yalvach, now healed, gives Tugan travel clothes and a money pouch with five gold coins. As a token of goodwill, Haji Rakhim gives Mahmud-Yalvach back his golden falcon paiza.

Shah Muhammad, swayed by his mother Turkan-Khatun, names his youngest son as heir and appoints Jelal ed-Din to rule Ghazni on the Indian border. Still, Jalal remains in Gurganj. Muhammad grows wary of Gyul-Jamal, a dark-skinned Turkmen girl, suspecting her of plotting against him. After making her his 301st wife, he locks Gyul-Jamal in the Tower of Eternal Oblivion. When an old fortune-teller couldn't get any secrets from her, she is trapped with a leopard, but Kara-Konchar rescues her by killing it. At the same time, disturbing news comes from Samarkand about revolts and the killing of Kipchaks that make Muhammad angry and cause him to get ready to march there.

Timur-Melik, captain of the shah's guard, joins Jelal ed-Din and Kara-Konchar for dinner as a captured Merkit hunter describes Genghis Khan's cruelty. Spurred by his mother, Muhammad turns down Mongol peace offers, with initial wins. Genghis Khan's son Jochi counters these advances, causing the decline of the Khwarazmian Empire.

In Samarkand, Shah Muhammad meets traders led by Mahmud-Yalvach, a secret spy for Genghis Khan who praises his Mongol lord, causing Muhammad concern. He attempts to secure Mahmud's loyalty by offering a pearl, but ultimately, Mahmud remains loyal to Genghis Khan despite the efforts made by Muhammad to sway him.

Mahmud returns to Genghis Khan's camp, revealing all details and presenting the pearl. In Otrar, Muhammad discovers and kills 450 of Genghis Khan's men disguised as traders. He subsequently murders another Mongol ambassador sent by Genghis Khan and tortures his staff before dismissing them. This escalating violence prompts the Mongols to take military action against Khwarazm.

Panic drives Muhammad to collect taxes three years early, despite tax issues. A poor peasant named Kurban-Kyzyk is unexpectedly made commander. On his way to Bukhara, his horse is taken, and Mongols invade the next day, leading to the surrender of Bukhara's imams. Kurban gets away during the chaos. Genghis Khan celebrates with Bukhara's captured people, seeking Haji Rakhim as an advisor. Muhammad, his son, and their remaining horsemen, including Kurban, escape west to Persia, leaving behind cities such as Samarkand and Merv in ruins—each one falling like dominoes.

The Shah seeks refuge on Ashuradeh Island in the unforgiving Abeskun Sea, where lepers show him their suffering. Fifteen days later, Timur-Melik arrives to discover the Shah's body, naked, with a crow pecking at his eyes. After the burial, Timur-Melik and his men look for Jelal ed-Din to tell him about his father's death. It is said that he then wandered about as a simple dervish for years, roaming the lands of Arabia, Persia, and India.

Kurban, after killing a Mongol and taking his horse, goes back home and finds his neighbor Sakou-Kuli, who tells him about his family's troubles. With Kurban's wife back, they intend to plow their land even with the war going on. Quickly, Genghis Khan divides the Khorezm Shah's daughters between his sons and servants, keeping Queen Turkan-Khatun to display at his feasts. She is made to sit at the tent's entrance and sing sad songs as Genghis Khan throws her gnawed bones, a deeply tragic turn.

Jelal ed-Din, titled "sultan," becomes the last hope for his state. As his army grows, he faces betrayal from allies motivated by gold, which weakens him significantly. Disputes over loot lead to infighting among his leaders. Following a failed campaign, he jumps into the Sindh River, emerges on the opposite bank, brandishing his sword in a final, defiant challenge to Genghis Khan himself before vanishing. It is said that he wandered for years, continuing to fight the Mongols successfully and gathering troops of valiant jigits, but he never assembles an army large enough to defeat the Mongols.

Haji Rakhim, an aide to Mahmud-Yalvach, is sent to deliver a message to Jochi, the Khagan's son. On their desert trip, Rakhim and Tugan are caught by bandits led by Kara-Konchar. They are released after the dervish tells stories of Gyul-Jamal and Kara-Konchar, including Kara-Konchar's encounter with Jelal ed-Din and his saving of Gyul-Jamal from the leopard. Learning

Gyul-Jamal is alive and imprisoned, Kara-Konchar plans a revolt in Gurganj to free her from Turkan-Khatun's prison. At the same time, Mongol troops attack Gurganj, taking prisoners and destroying the dam under Chagatai Khan's orders, causing major flooding. Survivors suffer big losses, finding bodies like Kara-Konchar and Gyul-Jamal in the ruins. After Jochi Khan dies, Haji Rakhim tutors his son, who will become Batu.

Genghis Khan orders Subutai boğatur and Jebe noyon to find the former Khwarazmian ruler and their vanguard conquers Simnan, Qom, and Zanjan in Northern Iran, sparing only Hamadan, but they don't find Muhammad. Polovtsian Khan Köten asks the Russians for aid, so Russian princes gather near Kyiv. Subutai makes it clear that the Mongols target the Polovtsians and Kipchaks, not the Russians. The Mongols feign retreat from the Dnieper, luring Russian princes into pursuit. They subsequently defeat the Kipchaks and Mstislav Udatny's forces, executing the surrendered Kyiv regiment and executing the princes during their victory celebrations.

Jelal ed-Din seeks refuge in India as Genghis Khan's Mongol forces aim to eliminate the exiled Khwarazm Shah's son. The Khan's wife prompts advisor Yelü Chucai to persuade him to return home because of failing health. Yelü suggests consulting Taoist Qiu Chuji, who tells the Khan immortality is impossible. Soon after, Genghis Khan dies, naming Ögedei his heir. Batu, the Khan's grandson, then takes control of Khwarazm.

In the epilogue, Tugan, who becomes a Mongol warrior, saves Haji Rakhim from execution by imams. Rakhim, forced to write about Genghis Khan's wars, is rescued when Tugan uses a trick with "medicinal balls" to make him appear dead. The jailers throw Rakhim's body into a pit, where Tugan and his men find him and help him recover in a safe location, giving him an opportunity to start his life anew.

Batu

Haji Rakhim shares his story of salvation while serving as a scribe. One night, he shelters a fugitive dressed in fine clothes, claiming to be the envoy of Grand Vizier Mahmud Yalvach. Rakhim fails to recognize him as his former student, Batu Khan. The only other witnesses to the fugitive's stay are an old faqih (religious scholar) and Yülduz, an orphan residing with Nazar-Karyazik, the esteemed stable master of Kipchak Khan Bayander.

Batu, hiding from assassins, plots to conquer the universe's "last sea". He gets a message from Jelal ed-Din via young Arapsha an-Nasir, a young jigit. Nazar-Karyazik pleads with Khan Bayander for horses so his sons can join the campaign. Before departing, he sells Yülduz for the Khan's harem, prompting his youngest son Musuk, who loves her, to renounce his father.

Nazar-Karyazik joins Subutai-bagatur's retinue as a guard and spy for Haji Rakhim. The fugitive Musuk, after being robbed, finds refuge in an Arab woman's squad. Yülduz remains significant in the story; before departing Sighnaq, Batu's mother chooses seven of his forty wives to accompany him. Among them, Yülduz is designated as one of the "seven stars," alongside four noble Mongols and two daughters of Khan Bayander, who refers to her as "a hard-working, black wife."

Six months post departure from Sighnaq, the Mongol army reaches the Volga in late autumn. During a meeting with Gleb Vladimirovich of Ryazan, Musuk is injured. A fisherman named Babila assists in constructing a ford across the river. Batu Khan establishes a camp at Urakova Mountain near Yeruslan in autumn 1237.

Gleb Vladimirovich joins Batu's service as a nöker, guiding him through stormy Russian lands. Batu enjoys Gazuk's tale of Attila, while his wife calls him the guiding star for Mongols. In Ryazan, Yuri of Ryazan encounters Mongolian envoys, including a Bulgar merchant suspected of espionage, who demands a tithe. Following Evpaty Kolovrat's counsel, Yuri seeks support from Grand Prince Yuri II of Vladimir and anticipates trouble, requesting help from other principalities as well. Meanwhile, the discussions between the Tatar ambassadors and Georgy remain undisclosed.

Batu Khan winters by the Voronezh River, rejecting Russian gifts in favor of Chinese crafts. He accepts a few horses, retaining one black steed. Prince Fyodor, treating Batu as an equal, refuses to bow, leading to retaliation against the Ryazan delegation with inadequate food. They respond with a Polovtsian proverb about feasting: "Attend the feast after already having eaten at home". Ultimately, Fyodor and his companions face execution at Batu Khan's command as punishment for their defiance.

As winter approaches, the Mongol leader contemplates campaigns against Ryazan or Kyiv, opting for resupply in captured Russian cities based on advisors Subutai and Haji Rakhim's counsel. In Ryazan, Princess Eupraxia of Kyiv, mourning her husband, takes her own life. During the Mongol advance, Musuk and Subutai's son Uriankh-Kadan are captured by Prince Yuri of Ryazan. After the Russians are defeated in the Wild Field, Baba Opalenikha, a Russian captive, revives the almost-frozen Uriankh-Kadan. Confronted by a powerful commander's offer for recompense, she demonstrates unexpected compassion, stating, "Even to ailing beasts we extend our hand... a human soul dwells within him", despite differing creeds.

Ryazan resists the Mongol invasion but is ultimately destroyed without support from other Russian lands. Khan Batu advances to Kolomna, resulting in the death of a Genghis Khan's son and the city's destruction. Moscow (Mushkaf) and Vladimir meet similar fates. Russian princes unite under Evpaty Kolovrat to combat the Mongols; however, they are betrayed by a traitor, leading to a catastrophic Mongol attack that decimates their forces.

After the defeat at Kozelsk, Batu Khan heads south to the Kipchak steppes and hires architect Li Tong-po to build a palace on Urakov Mountain, creating a new power center. Yülduz's request for Nazar-Karizek's involvement is seen as unforgivable. Meanwhile, traitor Gleb is expelled by Arapsha after completing his treasonous assignment.

Batu's finale unfolds against the harsh backdrop of 1942, contrasting two powerful chapters. The first, "And Russia is Being Built Again!", reveals the relentless sounds of axes in the mythical "Perunov Bor" forest, symbolizing reconstruction and resilience amid destruction. The second chapter, "In a Distant Homeland", shifts to the somber aftermath, rejecting celebratory tones in favor of mournful songs. Old Nazar-Karizek returns to his yurt accompanied not by victories, but by four saddled, empty horses—haunting symbols of the sons lost in battle against Russia. This stark juxtaposition emphasizes the complex realities of war, where the pursuit of progress is clouded by profound personal grief and loss. Set against the struggles of 1942, Batu's conclusion resonates powerfully, illustrating that often, victory is accompanied by significant sacrifice.

To the "Last Sea"

In the novel's first part, Duda the Righteous, a skilled seal carver and advisor to the Caliph of Baghdad, discovers that Abd-ar-Rahman, a descendant of Abd al-Rahman I, has arrived in the city. Recognizing his potential, they send him north to Batu Khan to address the Tatar threat to Iraq. Duda serves as secretary and chronicler. Ambassadors travel by ship from the Iron Gate to Xacitarxan, with Islam Agha, the ship's owner, transporting the captivating Byzantine princess Daphne, destined for the Mongol khan after being captured by pirates. Meanwhile, Abd-ar-Rahman remains safe, abiding by Genghis Khan's Yassa. The ambassador consults the wise fortune teller Bibi-Günduz, who reveals that the young Arab seeks fame more than wealth, before proceeding to Batu Khan's headquarters with a caravan of Arab merchants.

The action then shifts to the golden palace, built on the Volga steppe by the architect Li Tong-po, imported from China. He is served by Musuk, who has attained the rank of taiji. Little time has elapsed since Batu's pogrom in Zalessky Rus. Batu, still young and energetic, has gained confidence and subdued his relatives. Confident in his divinely ordained rule, the khan seeks to fulfill the covenant of a divine ruler, aiming to reach the "last sea," bringing the light of Genghis Khan's yasa to all conquered lands. After viewing the new palace, Batu falls ill. His beloved wife Yülduz-Khatun cares for him, while his brother Ordu seeks a physician—a role filled by Princess Daphne, brought by the centurion Arapsha along with Duda. Having recovered and witnessed a scandal involving his wives and Yülduz, Batu Khan bestows three of his wives upon his generals. Ordu Khan promises Daphne a herd of mares, freedom, and ninety-nine gifts, and she settles in his yurt. At a meeting with the wladika, Ambassador Abd-ar-Rahman pledges his sword and service.

During this discussion, Li Tong-po and the chronicler Haji Rakhim inform Batu Khan that the greatness of Alexander the Great (Iskander the Two-Horned) stemmed not only from conquest but also from mercy towards conquered peoples, whom the king "made his children." Batu Khan announces the founding of a new state—the Blue Horde.

The fourth part of Haji Rakhim's "Travel Book" reveals Batu Khan's concern over Novgorod the Great's independence. He orders the selection of intelligent prisoners for information extraction, a task assigned to Arapsha. He encounters Savva, a beaver hunter, and Nikita the Tanner, who inform the Khan about Yaroslav II of Vladimir and his son, Alexander Nevsky. Subotai-bagatur offers to grant Alexander the title of tysiatskii ("thousandman"), while Batu appoints Arapsha as ambassador to Novgorod. Concurrently, rafters from Prince Alexander arrive with gifts for the Tatar Khan and ransoms for prisoners.

Ambassador Gavrila Aleksich arranges a bear hunt (an ancient Russian royal pastime) for Yülduz-Khatun, for which he is rewarded by Zerbiet-Khanum, a Polovtsian dancer and spy. Skillfully avoiding humiliation (receiving old mares under luxurious saddles), Gavrila successfully redeems the captured Russians, sending them across the steppe in small groups. Though he declines leading the march on Kiev, Haji Rakhim quotes Batu telling Mahmud Yalvach, "Trust this man." Batu Khan releases Gavrila to Novgorod with Emir Arapsha. Gavrila's only concern is facing his wife Lyubava after his encounter with Zerbiet-Khanum, but he discovers that she was nearly abducted by the charming noyon Nogai Khan just before his return. At the last moment, Gavrila prevents her from taking her tonsure, despite threats from the hegumen.

During preparations for the western campaign, Batu Khan faces opposition from the Genghisids, with Yülduz urging him to spare Kiev as a potential second capital. Subsequently, Ordu reports that his Greek concubine has been seduced and abducted by Nogai Khan, the wayward son of the Tatar Khan. Nogai serves as a guard in the army and attempts to enter Yülduz-Khatun's chambers. In response, Batu and Subutai devise a trap for him, assigning him to the Mongolian army's "brutal" vanguard. The vanguard features diverse members, including the Kurdish knacker Utboy, who has a horse blanket made from the skin of an unfaithful concubine. He falsely claims it belongs to Jalal al-Din. Yesun reveals the truth and compels Utboy to confess that he did not actually defeat the Khwarazm Shah's son.

Mengü-khan is the first dispatched to Kiev. The action then shifts to Khan Kotyan's camp, where Friar Julian, a Hungarian monk, delivers an arrogant message from Batu to Béla IV of Hungary. Part of the narrative is presented from Abd-ar-Rahman's perspective, reporting to Baghdad.

The reader gets acquainted with Vadim, who dreams of becoming an icon painter and finds himself in the retinue of Alexander Nevsky's wife. He paints the princess, her blue eyes captivating him, instead of the Virgin Mary. Father Makariy accuses him of demonic temptation, and Vadim flees to the Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery, seeking a mentor and solace. He achieves initial success in his art but is soon forced to take up arms, fighting in the battle against the Mongol invaders. Kiev stands between the Mongols and the Sunset Sea.

The King of France readies himself for martyrdom, while the German emperor intends to escape to Palestine. Batu Khan's advance is stalled after the Eastern European pogrom; his exhausted army can no longer fight. Batu receives sorrowful news from home, as his noble wives send the "black one," and mourn the loss of his beloved Yülduz, who is grieved by her loyal servants, Haji Rakhim and Lee Tong-po. From the devastation of war, a new state emerges, its destiny linked with neighboring regions for generations. Haji Rakhim ends his narrative with a poignant message: "...I can only wish my future readers that they never have to experience the most terrible thing that can happen in our lives — the all-destroying hurricane of a cruel and senseless war".

Language

The classification of Vasily Yan's historical narratives, particularly his "Invasion of the Mongols" trilogy, as novellas or novels sparks significant debate. Yan asserts they are novellas, a position that critics and scholars challenge, arguing that works like "Genghis Khan," "Batu," and "To the Last Sea" should be regarded as full-fledged novels. Yan's artistry vividly dramatizes pivotal historical moments and complex portrayals of key figures, highlighting inherent genre classification challenges. Lydia Alexandrova notes this enduring dispute reflects Yan's significant impact on the Soviet historical novel landscape, emphasizing the complexity of his historical narratives. [6]

Yan's observations of Tuvan life in the 1920s informed his historical novels about Mongols, with the character Baba Opalenikha in "Batu" based on a real resident of Uyuk, enhancing the realism and depth of his storytelling. [7]

"Genghis Khan" explores the complex relationship between Genghis Khan and his son Jochi, who reflects his father's formidable traits. The novel vividly depicts Jochi's tragic death, organized by Genghis Khan and executed by assassins sent by him, highlighting the harsh realities of Mongol traditions. This brutal culmination serves as a powerful illustration of Genghis Khan's relentless and unforgiving nature. [8] Vasily Yan depicts Genghis Khan as a tyrant, providing graphic, disturbing details of his appearance and actions. The portrayal emphasizes the Khan's cruelty, particularly illustrated by his horrific response to a boy's heart being fed to a dog. [9]

The trilogy's final volume was fragmented, never published in its original form. Key chapters were cut and turned into standalone novellas, producing disjointed fragments. It split into To the Last Sea and The Youth of a Commander, facing harsh criticism. Vladimir Pashuto condemned Yan's handling of historical sources, mourning his decline into "historical narration full of errors and inaccuracies". [10] Lev Razgon identified numerous issues arising from the forced partition in "To the 'Last Sea," where the narrative appears disjointed and fragmented. Ideological constraints adversely affected the text, particularly during the postwar period, dominated by the "theory of non-conflict" that promoted an ideal hero. Yan faced criticism for favoring Batu Khan over a downplayed Alexander Nevsky. Moreover, Haji-Rakhim, Yan’s alter ego from the 1930s, extolled "the two horned Alexander" (al-Iskandar Dhu 'l-qurnayn), affirming Alexander the Great's enduring and true glory. The "serving intelligentsia" transitioned from confrontational stances against Genghis Khan's advisors to obsequiousness, as shown by Li Tong-po's flattering comments to Batu Khan. Critiques centered on "artistic flaws," revealing excessive historical detail without "pedantic accuracy," exemplified by rafters on the Volga singing anachronistic songs. Lev Razgon observed a lack of romance in Yan's work, while highlighting the notable presence of female characters in "To the Last Sea," each disrupting a previously cohesive narrative. [11]

Valentin Oskotsky considered the most striking part of the novel to be the vivid depiction of Batu Khan's campaign "towards the sunset", across which stood Kyiv, inheriting the tragic legacy of Ryazan and other cities burned by "Batu", and through its envoys declaring a "categorical refusal to voluntarily submit to the Mongols". Vasily Yan sought to contrast Batu Khan's straightforward onslaught with the caution of Alexander Nevsky, who, having defeated the Swedes and Livonian knights, did everything possible to avoid direct confrontation with the Horde. Thus, if Genghis Khan and Batu Khan in Yan's artistic world embodied destruction, then Alexander Nevsky personifies creation, equally manifested in both military affairs and state governance. Although this was not fully achieved, even by separating these characters into different books, the writer demonstrated their polar opposition. [12]

Reception

Initially, the trilogy encountered significant hurdles for publication due to its subtle critique of tyranny, risky in the repressive 1930s Soviet Union. Despite support from Maxim Gorky, a prominent literary figure, "Genghis Khan" remained unpublished for five years, highlighting the challenges faced by artists in oppressive regimes and the influence of the political climate on literary reception. [13]

The initial reviews from 1939-1940 showcased mixed opinions on Yan's work. While his vibrant prose and historical detail received praise, critics like Georgy Schtorm highlighted excessive orientalist clichés, and Sergei Khmelnitsky criticized historical oversimplification. Zoya Kedrina appreciated Yan's craftsmanship but criticized the lack of narrative cohesion. [14]

World War II significantly reshaped critical reception, leading to the re-release of Yan's novel, which gained powerful acclaim. Critics like Leonid Volynsky and Valery Kirpotin praised Yan's historical portrayal and commitment to truth, aligning with Soviet themes of patriotism and national pride. A. Fadeev’s 1942 endorsement highlighted the trilogy’s role in fostering national spirit. This wartime context reinterpreted Yan's critique of tyranny, transforming it into a unifying call against external threats. The novel's resonance during the war emphasized its importance in the cultural and political landscape of the time. [15] Lev Razgon further lauded Yan for upholding the compassionate traditions of Russian literature, fostering resilience and bolstering the spirit of dignity in his readers. [11] Later, Igor Kondakov noted a striking resurgence of interest in Yan's work during the tumultuous decades of the 1980s and 1990s, suggesting its enduring relevance amidst societal upheaval and the twilight of empire. [16]

Sergei Petrov criticized "Genghis Khan" for the author's shift from artistic narration to commentary. In contrast, Lidya Alexandrova praised Vasily Yan's use of documentation, claiming he was influenced by Alexander Pushkin's The Captain's Daughter. Yan incorporates quotes from historical figures like Ibn Hazm and Mykola Kostomarov in the chapter epigraphs, enhancing narrative integrity. This approach liberates the text while employing integrity as a component of artistic expression. The trilogy's authenticity is bolstered by the chronicler Haji-Rahim, who conveys many episodes, emphasizing the interconnectedness throughout the narrative. Thus, the novel's structure and documentation contribute significantly to its artistic merit. [17] The strategic deployment of historical quotes as epigraphs, coupled with the portrayal of Haji Rakhim as a reliable narrator, served to enhance the text's sense of authenticity and credibility.

In 2016, Dmitry Bykov suggested Vasily Yan's Stalin Prize signified more than coincidence, indicating that Yan's novels on the Mongol horde were a disturbing precursor to Stalin's empire. [18] Bykov criticized Yan's elaborate prose as outdated and lacking in originality, yet Yan's works continue to captivate audiences from the Soviet period to modern Russia. Literary scholar Wolfgang Kasack highlighted that Yan's novels, centered on themes of resistance and the quest for freedom, resonated powerfully on the brink of war. This thematic relevance contributed to Yan receiving the prestigious Stalin Prize, underscoring the impact of his narratives despite some critical dismissal [19] .

The trilogy was included into the 2013 list 100 Books for Schoolchildren recommended by the Ministry of Education and Science (Russia). [20]

References

  1. ↑ Favereau, Marie (2021). The Horde: How the Mongols Changed the World. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. doi:10.2307/j.ctv322v4qv. ISBN   978-0-6742-7865-3. JSTOR   j.ctv322v4qv.
  2. ↑ Ян, Василий (1979). Избранные произведения: В 2 т. / Вступ. статья Л. Разгона; Худож. И. Спасский (1 ed.). Москва: Художественная литература. p. 516. ISBN   5-277-01611-2.
  3. ↑ Morrison, Alexander (2008). Russian Rule in Samarkand 1868-1910: A Comparison with British India. Oxford. p. 20. ISBN   978-0-19-954737-1.
  4. ↑ Stalin and the Literary Intelligentsia, 1928-39. Springer. 27 July 2016. ISBN   978-1-349-21447-1.
  5. ↑ Hill, Alexander (2016). The Red Army and the Second World War . UK: Cambridge University Press. pp. 34–44. ISBN   978-1-107-02079-5.
  6. ↑ Александрова, Л.П. (1987). Советский исторический роман (типология и поэтика). Киев: Вища школа. pp. 21–22.
  7. ↑ Верещагина, Т. "Михаил Янчевецкий: я сделал в жизни главное — выполнил свой сыновний долг". Центр Азии. №18 (27 апреля—3 мая 2001). ООО Редакция газеты «Центр Азии».
  8. ↑ Ян, В. (1989). Собрание сочинений : В 4 т. / Под ред. пред. Комиссии по литературному наследию В. Яна Н.Т. Федоренко; сост. М.В. Янчевецкого. Москва: Правда. p. 560.
  9. ↑ Ян, В. (1989). Собрание сочинений : В 4 т. / Под ред. пред. Комиссии по литературному наследию В. Яна Н.Т. Федоренко; сост. М. В. Янчевецкого. Москва: Правда. pp. 35–37.
  10. ↑ Пашуто, Владимир (1963). Средневековая Русь в советской художественной литературе. История СССР. № 1. p. 83-118.
  11. 1 2 Разгон, Лев (1994). Плен в своем отечестве. Москва: Книжный сад. ISBN   5856760255.
  12. ↑ Оскоцкий, В.Д. (1980). Роман и история (Традиции и новаторство советского исторического романа). Москва: Художественная литература. p. 384.
  13. ↑ Оскотский, В.Д. (1980). Роман и история (Традиции и новаторство советского исторического романа). Художественная литература. p. 384.
  14. ↑ Лобанова, Т.К. (1979). Исторические романы Василия Яна : АН Узб. ССР, Ин-т языка и литературы им. А. С. Пушкина. Москва: Наука. p. 191.
  15. ↑ Янчевецкий, М. В. (1977). Писатель-историк В.Ян. Очерк творчества. Москва: Детская литература. p. 192.
  16. ↑ Кондаков, И.В. Ян Василий Григорьевич // Русские писатели 20 века: Биографический словарь / Гл. ред. и сост. П.А. Николаев. Москва: Большая Российская энциклопедия; Рандеву. p. 800.
  17. ↑ Александрова, Л.П. (1987). Советский исторический роман (типология и поэтика). Киев: Вища школа. p. 160.
  18. ↑ Быков, Д.Л. "Василий Ян. «Батый». Сто лет — сто лекций Дмитрия Быкова. Выпуск № 43". Tvrain.ru. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  19. ↑ Козак, В. (1996). Ян. Лексикон русской литературы XX века = Lexikon der russischen Literatur ab 1917 / [пер. с нем.] Москва: РИК «Культура». p. 492. ISBN   5-8334-0019-8.
  20. ↑ О ПЕРЕЧНЕ «100 КНИГ» ПО ИСТОРИИ, КУЛЬТУРЕ И ЛИТЕРАТУРЕ НАРОДОВ РОССИЙСКОЙ ФЕДЕРАЦИИ

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