Anna by E. M. Almedingen
"Anna" by E. M. Almedingen is a historical novel that presents a biographical narrative centered on a young Russian girl named Anna Poltoratzky, living in a wealthy merchant family during the eighteenth century. The story is told through Anna's perspective, allowing readers to experience her privileged upbringing at the family estate, Khlebnikov's, alongside her brother, Yasha, and their nurturing nanny. The novel emphasizes Anna's education, which is unusual for girls of her time, as her father, Peter Khlebnikov, encourages her to learn various languages and manage the family business, hoping she will marry a Russian for love rather than for convenience.
The characters in Anna's life, including her relatives and friends, shape her experiences and provide insights into the societal norms of the era. The narrative unfolds in a chronological manner, highlighting key events and locations that resonate with Anna's growth and challenges, including an attempted kidnapping due to her status as coheir. The book also explores themes of family loyalty, education, and the struggle for identity, as Anna grapples with her self-worth and societal expectations. Published posthumously, "Anna" is part of a series reflecting Almedingen's rich Russian heritage and is noted for its historical authenticity and appeal to young readers.
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Subject Terms
Anna by E. M. Almedingen
First published: 1972; illustrated
Type of work: Historical fiction
Themes: Family, education, gender roles, coming-of-age, and religion
Time of work: The late eighteenth century
Recommended Ages: 10-13
Locale: Kolomna, a suburb of Moscow
Principal Characters:
Anna Poltoratzky , a loyal, well-educated Russian girl who lives quietly at homePeter Khlebnikov , her father, a self-educated wealthy merchant who is a traditional Russian in all things except his belief in educating his daughterFekla , the housemaid, a talkative, friendly girlYasha , Anna’s brother, who is expected to inherit the family businessAgasha , Anna’s nurse, nanny, and teacher of domestic artsSemka , a cart driver and trusted employee, Anna’s protectorFather Tikhon , a Donskoy monk who hears Anna’s yearly confession and encourages herTsarina , (Catherine the Great , ), who is kind and gracious to Khlebnikov and AnnaDimitry Markovich Poltoratzky , a Kaluga nobleman who brings Kartoffeln potatoes to Khlebnikov and wins Anna’s heartAunt Xenia , the gluttonous, pious, abusive sister of Anna’s deceased motherAunt Mavra , the small, plump, vivacious sister of Anna’s father
The Story
A historical novel written as biography, Anna follows a chronological order and integral setting typical of the works of the author’s great-grandmother, Anna Khlebnikov de Poltoratzky. Young Anna and her brother, Yasha, enjoy privileges and freedoms accorded children of a wealthy Russian merchant. Motherless, they are cared for by a nanny and a housemaid. Through first-person narration, Anna allows the reader to see the family estate, Khlebnikov’s, as well as other places central to this story. The writer makes the settings integral to the story. Through this technique, the reader relates places with events. Anna ventures away from Kolomna only twice during the story.
Peter Khlebnikov, Anna’s father, is a staunchly loyal Russian. He adheres to the age-old tradition that the son must follow in the family business and marry a woman of whom his father approves, if not selects. He is pious and celebrates religious holidays. His weak spot appears to be his daughter, Anna. Against tradition, he educates her, teaches her to manage his farm, and allows her to marry for love. He promises her throughout the book that he will never arrange her marriage, but he hopes that she will marry a Russian.
The first houseguest, Aunt Xenia, arrives at Khlebnikov’s with her trunks of icons, gluttonous appetite, pious attitude, and indifference toward Anna and Yasha. When she treats Anna abusively, Aunt Xenia is immediately and permanently exiled from Khlebnikov’s.
The second guest who visits Anna’s family is Aunt Mavra. She is a plump, vivacious chatterbox. Illiterate, superstitious, and gossipy, she is an immediate favorite of Anna, her family, and the household staff.
As Yasha learns mathematics, geography, and languages, Anna discovers a knack for languages. Since education for girls is unusual, she experiences reactions from several sources. First, Aunt Xenia’s abrasive treatment when she finds Anna studying French increases to excessive anger when she learns that Anna knows four languages. Next, she is complimented by the Tsarina for her knowledge. Eventually, her friend, Mitzi, confronts her about being coheir to the Khlebnikov business. Another compliment comes from Father Tiklon. His encouraging words perhaps mean more to Anna than those of any other, with the exception of her father’s. Father Tiklon tells gently, “Get on with your lessons.” As a result of his kindness, Anna seeks him out when she needs a confidant. Many instances of her father’s pride in her education are recorded: “Anna’s business was...her exercises.” Anna notes that she is “taken into my father’s confidence” at age thirteen. He also compliments her as having “a head on her shoulders.” Finally, her own opinion of herself as an educated young woman is seriously jeopardized when she compares herself to a fish out of its proper river because of her education. This low self-esteem reappears just before her marriage. She realizes that, with all her language and geography ability, she knows little or nothing about running a house or ordering a meal.
At about age thirteen, Anna begins helping her father with management of his lands. It becomes generally known that she is the only daughter and coheir of a wealthy Russian merchant. Because Yasha is gone, there are rumors that Anna is about to be kidnapped. Although an attempt is made, no harm is done to her. Anna learns her father’s business, copies ledgers, writes orders and receipts, and catalogs his vast library. Aunt Mavra questions but accepts the girl’s activities.
When Anna is sixteen, she meets Dimitry Markovich, a wealthy, educated Russian. Although she is educated, she is not prepared for marriage. An epilogue briefly describes her life from her marriage to her death.
Context
Anna, published posthumously, is part of a series written by E. M. Almedingen; other books in this series are Katia (1966), Fanny (1970), Ellen (1970), Young Mark (1967), and A Candle at Dusk (1969). This gifted writer, sensitive to the devotion and loyalty of her family in the eighteenth century, ended the saga of her Russian heritage and family history with Anna. Much of her knowledge of that history came from the writings of Anna Poltoratzky, her great-grandmother.
Almedingen was a prolific writer whose works include novels, biographies, autobiographies, translations, and adaptations. A fellow in the Royal Society of Literature, she enjoyed a literary career that spanned almost forty years, with juvenile fiction being prevalent during the last twelve years of her life. Her historical fiction, interweaving her childhood, family journals, and Russian history, is considered her most outstanding work.
Anna, which was named an Honor Book at the Thirty-sixth American Spring Book Festival, is appropriate for the young reader because the reader can readily identify with the heroine, Anna Poltoratzky. She is adventuresome, intelligent, and devoted to her father, and she dreams of a romantic marriage. With its many historically authentic details, Anna is a scholarly yet nostalgic and entertaining novel.