Overview

In this longer monologue, the great Russian poet, Marina Tsvetayeva, attempts to make sense of her complex and tragic life, which is woven deeply into the tragic history of Russia in the first half of the twentieth century. An immensely gifted writer, she has lived in exile, and then come home to Stalin's Russia in a terrible time of war. Emotionally complex, she has been much in love, betrayed her husband, and crafted amazing poetry from her sufferings. Brilliant, original and contrary, she finds it impossible to write the sort of propaganda the Soviets demand of her. She has failed her children, lost her husband, and discovers that she has perhaps misunderstood everything in her life. Her courageous attempts to understand herself and her country are inspiring, funny, and tragic.