Soviet Women: Walking the Tightrope

by Francine du Plessix Gray

Research into past, present and future lives of Soviet Women in the twentieth century.

Genres: History, Russian History, Russia, Nonfiction, Feminism, Gender Studies, Soviet History

228 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Francine du Plessix Gray, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated writer and literary critic, was born in Warsaw, Poland, where her father, Vicomte Bertrand Jochaud du Plessix, was a French diplomat - the commercial attaché. She spent her early years in Paris, where a milieu of mixed cultures and a multilingual family (French father and Russian émigré mother) influenced her.

Widowed when her father died in battle, in 1940 du Plessix Gray's mother escaped France to New York with Francine. In 1942, her mother married Alexander Liberman, another White émigré from Russia, whom she had known in Paris as a child. He was a noted artist and later longtime editorial director of Vogue Magazine and then of Condé Nast Publications. The Libermans were socially prominent in media, art, and fashion circles.

Francine du Plessix Gray then grew up in New York City, and was naturalized a U.S. citizen in 1952. She was a scholarship student at Spence School. She attended Bryn Mawr College for two years, and in 1952 received her B.A. in philosophy from Barnard College, NY.

In 1957 she married painter Cleve Gray (1918-2004) with whom she had two sons.

Du Plessix Gray had a long and varied career, in the 1950s as reporter for several French magazines; book editor for Art in America New York City; staff writer for The New Yorker; several professorships, including at Columbia University.

Her most well-known book is Them: A Memory of Parents (2005). Her novels included Lovers and Tyrants (1976).

Reviews

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a snapshot of women during Gorbachev's glasnost and perestroika movements, viewed through the lens of american feminism. This angle skews the presentation, but does not distort facts. Unsurprisingly, Russian women are as complex as the country itself.

Women internalize the mixed religious, political, socio-economical messages. Women are supposed to be model workers, be married, and have at least three children. However, the infrastructure to support the superwoman is not constructed, so marriages mostly suffer.

The puritanical views of sexuality have resulted in abysmal education and gynecological care. There are approximately 6 abortions to every child a woman bears. There is little awareness of contraception, so women may have up to 25 abortions in their lifetime.

Many women view men as superfluous: Tatyana Tolstoya uses the disturbing metaphor of 'women are the roots; men are the leaves.' The priorities are work, mother, children, and husband. With care-taking and domestic responsibilites assumed by women, men are comparable, but less important, than children.

I think an equivalent study of men in Russian society would be enlightening and insightful. The men appear to be emasculated by strong women ~ be it mother, comrade, or wife. A large majority of the men grow up fatherless. It's far from surprising that Russian men resort to alcoholism, chauvanism, and machismo.

[Laura Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book, interesting subject matter, if slightly dated. Fairly well-executed. Very readable style and not just a bunch of facts thrown together.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

When reading this book, it is hard to decipher the difference between Soviet women in the 1980s and what Soviet women were like through the lens of American feminism in the 1980s. The beginning was perversely interesting in its xenophily - I loved that the Russian word for condom is galosh. Chapter 11 kept me mildly interested in its discussion of the heroine in Russian literature. Worth it, just not amazing.

[Witoldzio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is unlikely to find many readers today, it is a document of a bygone era. I still believe, however, that this book can serve as a helpful tool to gain a deeper insight into the mysterious Russian soul. The writing is masterful, although it is more journalistic in comparison to what I am used to seeing in du Plessix' other books. The authoress gives us a picture of a late Soviet lifestyle from a woman's perspective. This was a society at crossroads. She captured a crucial final chord of Soviet life and the final breath of the Soviet myth. I don't know how many other books on this topic can we find today in English. Some of the intellectuals who appear in this book are still very active today, it is interesting in some cases to take a note of the fact how their thinking evolved between the perestroika and now. For example, in a conversation with du Plessix, the great thinker and writer (whose writings I adore) Tatyana Tolstaya praises poverty as a virtue of Soviet and Russian life, a trait that, according to her, automatically makes Russia morally superior to the West. I wonder what would she say to the all-consuming materialism of Russia today, and the worship of the oligarchs - just watch any Russian movie and you will see the worship of money and power. It is obvious that at that time Ms. Tolstaya has not yet visited or (lived in) the West, her thinking was a reflection of Soviet propaganda.
One good thing about du Plexis' book is that she ventures outside Moscow and Petersburg, visits other parts of the country. And the perspective there differs much from the urban perspective. She also talked to women from different social backgrounds. Du Plessix' own family roots were also a helpful tool in crafting this book, allowing her to see continuity of certain traits, as well as the emergence of things new.
A side note - among the many names of respected and distinguished Russian and Soviet women I missed the name of Vera Gedroyts, the first Soviet female surgeon (who was also a lesbian). I think though that these were pre-internet years - the Iron Curtain was still there.

[Daniel Almeida Leon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not necessarily involved in women's studies and did not expect to become drawn to this book, but it reads very well. It is surprisingly objective and nuanced in its psychoanalysis although it does rely heavily on anecdotal stories (I guess that is the point). It reminds me of the book 'a near run thing' which is able to combine historicity with fantastic story-telling. I have not finished it yet as I just started last week however I am already half way through. I will warn you that the first few pages are a tad bit over descriptive as they try to set this almost pseudo intellectual and artsy mood. However, once it kicks off it really kicks off well.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting account of Soviet women in the Gorbachev era through the combined lenses of American feminism and the author being descended from white émigrés. Obviously this book is very much of a place and time, but it was an interesting read and the interviews with women from around the USSR were a strong point of the book. For me, this is one of those casually interesting quick reads you get at the used book store where you go in knowing it was written thirtysome years ago about current events and is no longer current at all but is a good snapshot of a time and a pleasant diversion.

[Ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent book with a good focus on sexual affairs like menstruation and childbirth in the Soviet Union. Because the system was designed and run by men, basic female needs went unmet.

[Marcia Van Camp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book and I recommend it to anyone interested in Russian studies or in women's studies. I loved reading about the changes in women's roles through the Revolution to perestroika. Comparing U.S. feminists to Russian feminists and so on. The author traveled all OVER the USSR and interviewed women in factories, women with power in the party, scientists, fashion designers and so on. I loved it!

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look into womens' lives in Soviet Russia but seemed one sided at times, that the author was arguing for a certain side and thus giving information that only added to her point. I think I still learned some actual facts and had a glimpse into what life was like for some of the population before communism fell.

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

301.412 G About the harsh lives russian women lead because of inequalties in their society, high rate of alcoholism, (esp among men), lousy economy, etc. Things certainly have changed since this was written but still an interesting read.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this for a paper and am finishing it for fun. Very engaging. Gray has a nice way of referencing other sources without breaking her pace.

Gray is informative and interesting. The information melds together, it is never forceful.

[Eva Stachniak · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvelous series of interviews with Russian women who reveal the matriarchal structure of their families. Filled with details of their everyday lives in Soviet Russia, this book is a gem for anyone interested in Russia, recent history and various shapes femininity takes across cultures.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

an absolutely fascinating book. helped me understand the soviet mentality that still exists in the women I know here.

[bluetyson]

Soviet women: Walking the tightrope by Francine du Plessix Gray

[Grada (BoekenTrol)]

From the RABCK-box that CC sent to me 'just because'. Read it many years ago, look forward to re-read!

[Patricia]

Karen