A Life under Russian Serfdom

by Boris B. Gorshkov

This is a translation of one of very few Russian serfs' memoirs. Savva Purlevskii recollects his life in Russian serfdom and life of his grandparents, parents, and fellow villagers. He describes family and communal life and the serfs' daily interaction with landlords and authorities. Purlevskii came from an initially prosperous family that later became impoverished. Early in his childhood, he lost his father. Purlevskii did not have a chance to gain a formal education. He lived under serfdom until 1831 when at the age of 30 he escaped his servitude.Gorshkov's introduction provides some basic knowledge about Russian serfdom and draws upon the most recent scholarship. Notes provide references and general information about events, places and people mentioned in the memoirs.

Genres: History, Russia, Nonfiction, Memoir, Russian Literature

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

"At that very moment, for the first time in my life, I tasted the sorrow of my status as a serf."

This memoir of Savva Dmitrievich Purlevskii is a rare firsthand account of Russian serfdom in the 19th century, and as such is worthy of attention. As a poorly educated (but surprisingly literate) serf, Purlevskii often repeats himself and strays off-topic, and so this is not great literature. However, his experiences and perspective are broad in scope, and so he manages to be informative about a wide variety of serf life minutiae.

As an American, I was interested to note the contrast between Russian serfdom and American slavery. It turns out that, at least in the case of Savva Purlevskii, there really isn't much of a comparison. Purlevskii was largely free to pursue his own business interests, educate himself, and sometimes even make suggestions to his landlords. What interested me the most was his journey to become more educated and thus aware of the greater world outside of his village. That part, at least, was reminiscent of Frederick Douglass.

[readthescars · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very informative but not dense. I liked hearing about this from Purlevskii's perspective. Unfortunately the end was abrupt due to him never finishing the memoirs, but it's such a short read it's definitely worth the time. Just don't go into it expecting to hear about the life of an average serf or a commoner. While he was one of the only authors of a serf memoir who didn't go on to make a name for himself, he wasn't poor. He had ups and downs, and did struggle, but he grew up with wealth and a semi-decent education and most of the hardships his fellow serfs had to face didn't really impact him because he had more money than they did.

[Jindřich Zapletal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an autobiography of a serf in Yaroslavl Oblast in the first half of 19th century. It is mercifully short and very practical; it may serve as an efficient corrective to the common idea of Russian serfdom as utter slavery. You do not need any prerequisites or a lot of patience to read it. Just do not think you are getting a story of an "average" Russian serf of the time: Savva reads Karamzin's works, makes plenty of money by long-distance trade in flax and iron, later flees his landlord in the course of a business dispute, eventually settling as a free man of merchant class in Odessa, the proverbial home of escaped serfs. The translator provides a number of useful notes, placing the story in precise local context.

As most narratives of unfree people, this one too is subject to nagging doubts about its authenticity. It was published by Russkiy Vestnik after the Great Reforms of Alexander II. This was a reputable literary/historical journal; the editor of course ostentatiously supports the tzar and his wise reforms. Some features of the autobiography are a little bit too convenient: it cuts off exactly at the point when Savva escapes his landlord, descriptions of atrocities happening to OTHER serfs in OTHER villages are not at all integral to Savva's life etc. Still, a most interesting read.

[Rebekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

My sister-in-law gave me this book and a few others several year ago. It’s just been sitting on my bookshelf ever since. This year I have decided I am going to work on clearing off my bookshelf, reading every book, and then deciding to keep it or donate it.

This book was okay. I am fairly interested in Russian history and being able to read a first hand account from a serf was interesting. The first hand account is obviously specific at some points in the book and it got to the point where I had to look up the meaning for several Russian terms and locations on each page. As a reader, I wanted to make sure I was what all the term meant.

Am I going to keep this book, probably not. I can’t not honestly see myself reading it again, so I will probably donate it so someone else can enjoy this book.

Overall rating 3 stars.

[Mason Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike most autobiographies about former serfs Purlevskii never gained prominence after serfdom, and had a simple life as a merchant. In my opinion Purlevskii's account on serfdom is one of the only authentic perspectives on serfdom due to it being written by a common Russian peasant, and not a serf that gained financial, literary, or political prominence.

[Hobbes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read this for a class I'm taking and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

The funniest part is when he compares the Russian Empire's restrictions on merchants and trade to the literal terroristic institution of serfdom.