The Romantic Exiles: A Nineteenth-century Portrait GalleryThe story of a group of Russian exiles, men who left their country in the 'forties and 'fifties of the 19th century, all revolutionary in word if not in deed, and nearly all bound together by some kind of more or Iess intimate personal relationship. On the human side the story forms a series of recurrent triangles, Natalie Herzen, after a romantic friendship with Natalie Tuchkov, becoming' the mistress of the German poet Hervegh ; Herzen himself, after the death of the first Natalie, becoming the lover of Natalie Tuchkov, now married to his friend Ogarev. Ogarev, true to his advanced opinions, continued to live with them both, only consoling himself with drink and a Leicester Square prostitute whom, with unquenchable - and justified - idealism he set up in a separate establishment. In the story the dissident/poet Michael Bukanin (possibly gay) and George Sand (a cross-dressed female writer) also play a role. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
affair Alexander already appeared arrival asked authorities Bakunin became become beginning believe Bell brought called cause character child complete continued death desire Dolgorukov Emma English Europe everything existence eyes faith feel followed France French Geneva George German give Government hand happiness heart Herwegh Herzen human husband interest Italy land later less letter live Liza London longer looked lover Malwida March Maria Mary meeting months Moscow mother moved Natalie Natalie's nature Nechaev never Nice Ogarev once Paris passed passion past perhaps Petersburg police Polish political present Prince reached received relations remained respect revolutionary romantic Russian seemed side soon soul story suffer Tata things thought tion took weeks whole wife woman write written wrote young