Breaking Stalin's Nose

Yelchin, Eugene. 2011. Breaking Stalin's Nose. New York: Henry Holt and Company. ISBN 9780905092165

Plot Summary

Sasha loves Joseph Stalin and the Communist party. He is all set to join the Young Pioneers, which is the group for future communist citizens. He views every interaction through the lens of communist devotion. When his classmates disappear, he feels certain that it is for their own good, and the good of the country. When his dad, who is the most devoted communist, is arrested, Sasha knows it is a mistake that Stalin himself will fix once he finds out. But things only go from bad to worse when Sasha accidentally breaks the nose off of Stalin's bust at school. He is certain that he will be taken away next for defacing the sacred likeness of the Soviet leader. The comfort and safety he felt by being a part of the communist community is quickly disappearing. Is there anywhere that Sasha can feel safe again?

Critical Analysis

Breaking Stalin's Nose is written by Eugene Yelchin, a former Soviet Union citizen. His experiences there contributed to the setting of this, his first novel. The book is smaller than average, with lovely black and white illustrations scattered throughout. The short chapters, simple sentence structure, and illustrations at first give the implication that this book is written for young children. However, as I read further, it seemed as though many concepts in the book would be far above the head of the average 10-year-old. An adult would likely need to provide some background information on communism, Joseph Stalin, and the Soviet Union. 

The point of view of Sasha is very believable. The perspective of this 10-year-old protagonist who believes wholeheartedly in the good of Stalin and communism is very sincere. This perspective of events, such as when a Jewish classmate is removed from the school, is hard to reconcile with our 21st century Western ideals, which is perhaps the author's intent. To have a sympathetic character buy-in to clearly disturbing ways of thinking helps us as readers see things from the inside. 

Yet as the day progresses, Sasha is forced to face the unsettling methods of his beloved country. It finally reaches the pivotal point where he can either carry on as he intended to, joining the Young Pioneers and submitting body, soul and mind to the Communist Party, or decide to walk his own path. Far from becoming a rioting revolutionary, Sasha finds that there are other ways to resist, sometimes just by surviving.

The Author's Note included at the end is an insightful and helpful description of the author's first-hand experiences in the Soviet Union in the 1960s. It helps to lend an air of authenticity to the novel that really helps you to feel like you might know now a bit of what it could have been like to live under the Soviet banner. 

Professional Praise

2012 Newbery Honor Book

From Horn Book: "This brief novel gets at the heart of a society that asks its citizens, even its children, to report on relatives and friends. Appropriately menacing illustrations by first-time novelist Yelchin add a sinister tone.” 

From School Library Journal: “Yelchin skillfully combines narrative with dramatic black-and-white illustrations to tell the story of life in the Soviet Union under Stalin.” 

Connections

First, check out Eugene Yelchin's website for this book at http://www.eugeneyelchinbooks.com/breakingstalinsnose/index.php

Then, check out some of these other books that will give readers a better understanding of the times and events in the book:

Capitalism vs. Communism (World Governments), Darcy Frisnia. 2007. ISBN 978-1553193548

Joseph Stalin (Wicked History), Sean McCollum. 2010. ISBN 978-0531223550

I Want To Live: The Diary of a Young Girl in Stalin's Russia, Nina Lugovskaya. 2007. ISBN 978-0618605750