Cursed Days

Cursed Days is a diary-based account by Nobel laureate Ivan Bunin documenting his experiences in Moscow and Odessa during the Russian Revolution of 1918-1920. The book combines personal observations, newspaper clippings, and recorded conversations from this turbulent period. Initially published in fragments by a Paris newspaper in 1925-1926, the complete work remained banned in the Soviet Union until the late 1980s. After the fall of the USSR, the book gained widespread recognition in Russia, with numerous editions published since 1991. Bunin recorded his observations during the final years before his permanent exile from Russia in 1920. He captures the daily realities of life during the revolution and the establishment of Bolshevik power through a combination of first-hand accounts and gathered information. The work stands as both a historical document and a meditation on the nature of social upheaval, examining how political transformation affects individual lives and societal structures. Through his personal lens, Bunin presents questions about power, truth, and the cost of radical change.

Readers highlight Bunin's raw, immediate accounts of life during the Russian Revolution and Civil War. Many note his precise details of daily struggles and violence in Moscow and Odessa during 1918-1920. Readers appreciated: - Firsthand perspective as events unfolded - Unfiltered emotional reactions and observations - Clear depiction of how the revolution affected ordinary citizens - Quality of the English translation Common criticisms: - Strong anti-Bolshevik bias that some find excessive - Fragmented diary format can feel disjointed - Focus on upper-class experiences - Limited historical context provided Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (50+ ratings) Sample review: "Bunin captures the day-to-day deterioration of Russian society with devastating clarity. His anger and despair come through on every page." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers note this work pairs well with other Russian Revolution accounts like Babel's Red Cavalry or Bulgakov's White Guard.

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🔷 The manuscript of "Cursed Days" was smuggled out of Russia piece by piece, hidden in diplomatic pouches and carried by various expatriates fleeing the revolution. 🔷 Bunin was so devastated by the Bolshevik takeover that he buried his medals and awards in his garden before fleeing Russia, including his prestigious Pushkin Prize medals. 🔷 During the period covered in the book, Bunin often wrote by candlelight due to electricity shortages, using precious paper he had salvaged from revolutionary propaganda posters. 🔷 The diary entries were initially published in the Paris-based Russian émigré newspaper "Vozrozhdeniye" (Renaissance) between 1925-1927, reaching other Russian exiles scattered across Europe. 🔷 When "Cursed Days" was finally published in Russia in 1988, it caused significant controversy as it challenged the established Soviet narrative of the revolution, leading to heated debates among historians and critics.