It is a cursed novel called pornographic by the tsarist censors, so he was driving under
the cloak. Also censored by the Bolsheviks, who judged anarchist. Available Genevi?ve, his
new translator gives us this masterpiece hated as censors. ---- Sanin, it is no doubt a
free man, perhaps a "Unique Stirnerian"? Individualist and atheist, he refuses to subject
to any prejudice whatsoever, wishing that all are freed from the evil spirits, of
what-will-we say, and frankly enjoy the beauty of the world. How Artsybachev speaks of
sensual pleasure is remarkable. The story of his sister with a handsome officer is an
important part of the story. Sanin recognize its right to enjoyment, and even abortion, he
comforts and discourages suicide when she discovers she is pregnant by a man who does not
like it. Here is what he said to the lovesick sister: "Listen to me, I do not care if you
marry Lida or you go to hell, but I only want to tell you something: you are an idiot! (...)
If your skull in one healthy and pure idea could have existed, is that you have suffered
so much, is that you'd made you so unhappy, is that you have made so unhappy others also,
for the simple fact that a woman, young and free, choosing a stallion, was mistaken and
found equally free after this act? Freer, after sex, moreover, that before! (...) I will
say this to you, but you're not alone (...) You idiots, many of you, to make this world a
prison where life is impossible without sun, without joy! (...) Oh! You millions! (...)
And you, look at you: how many times have you not found lying on the body of a prostitute,
gesticulating, twist you in lust, like a dog at the height of the drunkenness and dirt?
(...) In the fall of Lida, there was passion, poetry, courage and strength, but with you?
... What is this right you t 'arrogated, divert you from it, you who consider yourself an
intelligent being as an intellectual, as if there was not a gap between your mind and
alleged real life? "
And further, a defender of Christianity, it starts: "And the friend! Under the guise of
Christianity, began to sacrifice crowds in the arena, then, always with the agreement of
Christianity was strong personalities locked in prisons, they were killed, they were
pushed violently into "houses yellow "psychiatric hospitals! Blood flows, it has never
stopped flowing, so much so that no revolution in the world could have run more. "
"The positive hero" of Artsybachev not convinced Gorky! Too bad for him. I confess me, he
deceived me.
France Kadah-Theys (AL Paris North East)
Mikhail Artsybachev, Sanin, The manhood Slavic Classics collection, 2013, 411 pages, 27 euros.
Home »
» France, Alternative Libertaire AL #239 - Read Mikhail Artsybachev, "Sanin" (fr, pt)