Aleksandr Nikitenko (1804–1877)

I thought this was an alright book, but nothing outstanding. I have to agree with john257hopper's review in that while the concept of a book written by a Russian serf is intersting, Nikitenko was *not* the norm, so reading this can actually present a skewed view of how serfdom worked if one isn't on their toes. While his constant striving for education helped him eventually achieve freedom, his constant encounter with good luck also played a major role. Various people throughout his early years - his school teachers, Prince Golitsyn, and others - played integral roles in him finally being freed, and had he met less sympathetic people on the way, he might have just as easily ended up in prison, or worse, killed.

If you're looking for a balanced view of how serfdom worked for most serfs, you should probably look elsewhere.… (mere)

I found this rather disappointing. Although the concept of a diary written by a former Russian serf is very interesting, Aleksandr Nikitenko was a very unusual serf in being highly educated and intelligent, thus able to rationalise his way towards seeking his own freedom; hence his transformation is not as dramatic as one might think. I have to say also that much of the actual writing is rather dull, until the description of his efforts to secure his own liberty, which begins rather matter of factly. Some interesting pictures, nearly all concentrated towards the beginning of the book. The best bit of this book is probably the introduction, where the situation of Russian serfs is compared to that of US slaves at the same time, and Nikitenko compared to Booker T Washington.… (mere)