True Songs of Freedom: Uncle Tomas Cabin in Russian Culture and Society

The book delves into the significant impact of Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel in Russia and the Soviet Union from the 1850s to the present. It highlights how the themes of American slavery resonated with Russia's own history of serfdom and the intertwining of authoritarianism and radicalism. John MacKay explores various translations, adaptations, and the reactions from notable figures like Tolstoy and Turgenev. The analysis covers the novel's role in debates on serf emancipation, its adaptation in Soviet contexts, and its enduring influence on Russian culture over 150 years.