An Estonian Childhood Memoir - A Tale of Love, Resilience, and Adventure

Childhood memories have a profound impact on us. They shape who we are, how we see the world, and the values we hold dear. One such compelling memoir that brings forth the beauty and challenges of an Estonian childhood is a testament to the indomitable human spirit, love, and resilience.

A Glimpse into an Estonian Childhood

Estonia, a small Baltic country nestled in Northern Europe, is often known for its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage. It is here that a memoir is born, chronicling the life of a young child growing up amidst the sweeping meadows, dense forests, and serene lakes.

An Estonian Childhood: A Memoir

by Margaret Rozga (Kindle Edition)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3586 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	202 pages

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The memoir paints a vivid picture of the author's upbringing, capturing the pure innocence and curiosity of childhood. From carefree days spent playing hide and seek among the tall grasses to wintertime adventures skiing down the snowy slopes, each page takes you on a journey back in time.

The Joys of Discovering Nature

In an era before smartphones and video games, the Estonian countryside was a playground for young children. The memoir encapsulates the author's endless exploration of nature, from picking wild berries in the summer to building secret hideouts in the dense forests. The reader can almost feel the warm sun on their skin and hear the whisper of the wind through the trees as they relive these cherished moments.

Intricacies of Estonian Traditions

Estonians have a deep-rooted connection with their traditions, and this memoir beautifully showcases their customs and celebrations. From festive Midsummer bonfires surrounded by singing and dancing to the enchanting folklore stories passed down through generations, the author's childhood was steeped in the rich tapestry of Estonian heritage.

The Hardships Faced with Unyielding Determination

Despite the idyllic setting, life is never without challenges, and the memoir does not shy away from portraying the hardships faced by the author and their family. It delves into the struggles of growing up in a post-Soviet era, where resources were scarce, and a spirit of resilience was required to withstand the difficulties. The memoir highlights the courage, adaptability, and the unwavering stronghold of love in the face of adversities.

Reflections on an Enduring Love

At the heart of this memoir lies a powerful love story. It is the story of the author's parents and their unconditional love that serves as the foundation for their child's upbringing. The memoir eloquently portrays the sacrifices made by parents to provide a better life for their child and the lengths they went to ensure their happiness.

An Estonian Childhood Memoir offers a captivating glimpse into a world filled with wonder, resilience, and love. It takes readers on a nostalgic journey, allowing them to relive their own childhood joys and hardships through the eyes of the author. This memoir is not just about an Estonian childhood; it transcends borders, cultures, and generations, reminding us of the universal power of love and the human spirit.

An Estonian Childhood: A Memoir

by Margaret Rozga (Kindle Edition)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3586 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	202 pages

FREE

In her Tania Alexander writes, 'The Baltic philosopher Count Hermann Keyserling . . . once remarked: ''I am not a Dane, not a German, not a Swede, not a Russian nor an Estonian, so what am I - a little of all these.'' Tania Alexander felt the same, 'I share his sense of confused identity.' She was born in St Petersburg, but as a young child was taken to Estonia, at that time a province of Russia which was later to become the northernmost of the three independent Baltic States created in the aftermath of the First World War. The tone of her memoir, mainly set in Kallijärv, is almost idyllic, surprisingly so given the political upheaval of the period. In her own words 'my early life was influenced by three women, all of them complex characters and strong personalities, who had to find their own way of adapting to very different from those they might have expected to enjoy. My Irish governess, Micky, sacrificed her family and suffered exile - a mother ostracised by the pressure of Victorian values. My Aunt Zoria lost everyone who was dear to her, as well as her homeland and her position in society. Anr my mother, who stayed behind in Russia throughout the terrifying events of the revolution and civil war, lost her home, her husband and, perhaps most important to her, her great love - a loss which profoundly affected the rest of her life.' Her mother was Baroness Moura Budberg and 'her great love' was the famous diplomat and spy, Robert Bruce Lockhart, expelled from Russia in 1918. Among her other lovers were Maxim Gorky and H. G. Wells who both feature in this memoir.

In his review, Harrison Salisbury refers to 'a world which now seems almost beyond our belief . . .' That is true, and yet there an unexpected link with today's UK political scene: Moura Budberg was Nick Clegg's great, great aunt. The lineage is like this: Moura Budberg's sister, Alexandra, was the mother of Clegg's grandmother, Baroness Kira von Engelhardt, who was born in Russia in 1909.

'Reminiscent of a story by Turgenev. Delightful.' Sunday Telegraph

'History, biography, an exploration of the relationship between mother and daughter: Tania Alexander's book is a little of all these.' Times Literary Supplement

'An engaging memoir full of vivid portraits. There is Gorky, a compassionate giant among the Bolsheviks; there is H. G. Wells, and there are the comforting figures who surrounded Tania at Kall?ärv, her Irish governess, Micky, Uncle Sahsa, inconsolable over the defeat of the Tsarist regime, and a host of cousins and friends.' Financial Times

'Tania Alexander has written an unforgettable memoir of a world which now seems almost beyond our belief - the pre-revolutionary Russian era and that followed, it a tale that inevitably centres around the the figure of her remarkable mother, the Baroness Moura Budberg - her life in Tsarist society, in the Bolshevik society of Lenin and Gorky, and later that of H. G. Wells and England. There is nothing else quite like it.' Harrison Salisbury