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The Apartment Century: A History of Russia Through Its Housing

Chad Price

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The Apartment Century: A History of Russia Through Its Housing is a fascinating and insightful look at Russian history through the lens of its housing. Author Nina Khrushcheva, the granddaughter of former Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, provides a unique perspective on the country's past, present, and future. Through a series of intimate stories and vignettes, Khrushcheva explores how housing has shaped Russian society and culture, from the communal apartments of the Soviet era to the luxurious mansions of the oligarchs.

The Apartment: A Century of Russian History

by Hui Wang

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	59958 KB
Print length	:	64 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

Khrushcheva begins her book by describing the communal apartments that were a common feature of Soviet life. These apartments, which were often shared by several families, were a source of both tension and camaraderie. Khrushcheva's own family lived in a communal apartment in Moscow, and she vividly recalls the challenges and joys of living in such close quarters.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, many Russians were able to move out of communal apartments and into their own homes. However, the housing market in Russia is still plagued by corruption and inequality. Khrushcheva describes how the oligarchs, who amassed vast fortunes in the 1990s, have come to own some of the most luxurious mansions in the world. Meanwhile, many ordinary Russians struggle to afford decent housing.

Khrushcheva's book is not just a history of housing in Russia. It is also a meditation on the nature of Russian society. Through her stories of the people who have lived in the apartments she describes, Khrushcheva provides a glimpse into the Russian soul. She shows us how Russians have endured hardship, celebrated their victories, and dreamed of a better future.

The Apartment Century is a must-read for anyone interested in Russian history, culture, or architecture. It is a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

The Apartment Century: A History Of Russia Through Its Housing The Apartment: A Century Of Russian History