Astolphe De Custine Books
This French aristocrat and writer is best known for his travel writing, particularly his account of a visit to Russia in 1839. His work documents not only his journeys through the Russian Empire but also the social fabric, economy, and way of life during the reign of Nicholas I. Custine focused on detailed observations and analysis of the places he visited. His writing offers readers a profound glimpse into the society he encountered, viewed through the lens of his keen perceptive eye.
Condemned by the Soviets to the black list of forbidden publications, these journals of the French aristocrat who visited Russia in 1839 were first published in France in 1843. Long recognised as one of the most fascinating and revealing impressions of Russia by a foreigner, they abound in observations on the social, political and religious state and prospects of mid-nineteenth century Russia leading Custine to dire forebodings. Custine's conviction that as long as Russians remained enslaved, isolated and deceived by ambitious rulers they would remain a menace to the rest of the world, will strike a chord with all of us today.
Záznam markýze de Custine o jeho cestě do Ruska v roce 1839 je brilantně vnímavým, až prorockým popisem jedné z nejvíce fascinujících a nejproblematičtějších zemí světa. Je to také úžasný kus cestopisu.