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9781738314208 Two Souls Maksim Haretski Olya Ianovskaia

Two Souls

By Maksim Haretski

$19.15

As Belarus grapples with the aftershocks of the Socialist Revolution, Ignat Abdziralovich, an officer, finds himself at the heart of personal and societal turmoil. While Ignat searches for love, he uncovers an unexpected family secret that pushes him to rethink who he is, confront the stark realities of class antagonism and pick a side.

Two Souls delves into Ignat’s philosophical introspections, offering a profound commentary on the human search for identity amid the conflict between personal ambitions and collective duties. Through Ignat’s eyes, readers experience the complexities and contradictions of a society on the brink of significant change.

Two Souls is a work of deep exploration created by Belarus’ first existentialist writer. Maksim Haretski’s masterful storytelling weaves a tale rich in historical and philosophical depth, vividly capturing the atmosphere of the early twentieth century and communicating the tension and uncertainty that pervaded Belarus during this transformative era.

First published in 1919, the novel offers a vivid portrayal of class struggles and a bold critique of Bolshevism, which led to its suppression for many years. Two Souls provides a critical lens through which to view the era’s political and social dynamics.

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9781738314201
Grunwald Publishing 9781738314201 July 16, 2024 English 182 pages

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Editorial Reviews

Maksim Haretski’s thought-provoking exploration of the impact of the Bolshevik Revolution and the surge of Belarusian nationalism of 1918, now translated for English readers, illuminates currents of lesser-known history for those in the West. Haretski lived from 1893 until 1938, when he was executed by the Soviet secret police. He studies his characteristic themes of nationalist identity and human nature through the eyes of Warrant Officer Ignat Abdziralovich, discharged from the Russian Army due to illness. When a young nationalist challenges him, “What are you doing to revive our unfortunate homeland?” Abdziralovich feels himself split into two souls, unable to decide on his loyalties. He observes the labor of his foster brother, Vasil; is attracted to the young, rich Alya, who passes him over for a prince; and later assists schoolteacher Ira in freeing a Belarusian teacher and student imprisoned by a Bolshevik “extraordinary commission.” But even as he witnesses the violent clash of ideals between Karpavich, an outspoken socialist, and Captain Hareszka, who serves the old empire, Abdziralovich—who identifies as “a passive observer and quiet thinker”—cannot commit to a side. The book expends little emphasis on dramatic action, and a melodramatic twist about Abdziralovich’s parentage has little impact on the plot. Instead, the book is a platform for the philosophical crises that pit elder against youth, peasant against bourgeoisie, conviction against survival. Haretski is strongest in detailing shifting human moods and feelings, evoking natural imagery that provides a poignant metaphor. The prevailing mood is somber, though the reflectiveness is interlaced with small moments of absurdity, wistfulness, and poetry. Olya Ianovskaia’s translation is fluid and precise, balancing the style and imagery of Haretski’s introspective prose while making native expressions and cultural details accessible to foreign readers. In all, Two Souls, the first existential Belarusian novel, earns its status as a classic of Belarusian literature. Highly recommended for fans of Franz Kafka and Albert Camus.

BlueInk STARRED Review

A Stirring Tale of Inner Conflict and National Awakening Maksim Haretski's Two Souls, first published in 1919 and now beautifully translated into English by Olya Ianovskaia, stands that bridges the personal and the political with emotional depth and philosophical urgency. Set against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution and the early 20th-century Belarusian struggle for independence, the novel charts the inner journey of Ignat Abdziralovich, a young officer whose life is divided not only by class and ideology but also by love and loyalty. At its core, Two Souls is about dissonance—the dissonance between inherited privilege and moral conscience, between affection and alienation, and ultimately, between two versions of the self. Ignat, born into nobility but raised alongside a peasant foster brother, gradually becomes aware of the injustices that underpin the social order he was destined to uphold. His internal turmoil—rendered in rich, lyrical prose—mirrors the ideological chaos unfolding across the former Russian Empire. Though the language of the novel reflects the literary conventions of its time—philosophically dense, introspective, and richly descriptive—it remains compelling in its exploration of both societal and relational dynamics. Far from feeling dated, Haretski's prose draws the reader deep into the emotional and existential landscape of his protagonist, making the historical moment feel immediate and vital. One of the most poignant aspects of the novel is Ignat's ill-fated romance with Alya Makaseeva, the daughter of a nouveau-riche landowner. Their relationship, full of longing and misunderstanding, serves as a metaphor for the larger cultural and class divides tearing society apart. Alya, spirited and modern, is drawn to Ignat's sincerity but ultimately swayed by the security and status offered by a rival suitor— a prince who personifies the old world order. As Ignat loses Alya, he also sheds his remaining illusions about the society to which he once belonged. The novel's turning point comes during a Belarusian diaspora gathering in the Caucasus, where Ignat confronts the hypocrisy of aristocratic patriots calling for unity without justice. His impassioned, spontaneous speech—delivered in the Belarusian tongue—is a radical act of reclamation, signaling his full alignment with the oppressed and his rejection of inherited privilege. It is here that the novel's philosophical themes crystalize, exposing the tension between identity, duty, and liberation. Olya Ianovskaia's translation is a triumph. With sensitivity and precision, she preserves the rhythm and texture of Haretski's voice while making the novel accessible to contemporary English readers. Her work allows the emotional resonance and political urgency of the text to shine through. In the end, Two Souls is both a love story and a lament, a political novel and a spiritual confession. It speaks to the universal human struggle to reconcile the contradictions within oneself—and within one's homeland. Haretski's message is as timely now as it was a century ago: the path to truth begins with painful self-examination. It is unreservedly recommended! ★★★★★

The BookViralReview

A haunting exploration of class dynamics and the internal struggles of poverty, grief, family, and courtship, Two Souls by Maksim Haretski, translated by Olya Ianovskaia, is a powerful portrait of Belarus and its existential upheaval more than a century ago. As much a philosophical treatise as a stark interpersonal drama, Haretski's words still ring with clarity and wisdom, especially given the changing political and economic dynamics today. Ignat is the semi-orphaned son of a Belarusian military officer, grappling with controversial new ideas of societal hierarchy and nationalism, while fumbling his way through romance and mental liberation, as his tumultuous family life mirrors the turbulence in the country writ large. Masterfully translated, the confident and lyrical prose captures the uncertain moods and divisive cultural tensions of a nation amid revolutionary transformation, making it a poignant and timely story for contemporary readers the world over. ★★★★★

Self-Publishing Review

Two Souls by Maksim Haretski, newly translated by Olya Ianovskaia, is a powerful existential and political novel that vividly captures the turmoil of early 20th-century Belarus. Originally published during the Russian Revolution and long suppressed for its bold critique of Bolshevism, the story follows Ignat Abdziralovich, a man torn between conflicting identities, loyalties, and ideals. The novel opens with tragedy: Ignat’s mother is killed during a violent highway ambush, an event that emotionally cripples his father and shapes Ignat’s upbringing. Raised alongside the son of a peasant nurse, the boundaries between class, identity, and fate blur from the very start. As the two boys grow up together, the novel carefully traces how social and spiritual divisions manifest in adulthood. Ignat’s journey is marked by illness, disillusionment, and a fleeting romance with Alya, the daughter of a wealthy landowner. Their tender and passionate relationship unravels as politics, class tensions, and personal ambition intervene. The novel’s emotional core is Ignat’s slow realization that no social class truly accepts him and that his idealism has no secure home. I’ve been an avid reader of translated books since reading Kafka’s The Metamorphosis. Without the arduous task of translating, these literary masterpieces would be lost to readers across cultures. Maksim Haretski’s prose, preserved beautifully in Ianovskaia's translation, combines lyrical rural imagery with biting political insight. Snow falling on birch trees, smoky villages, and golden wheat fields evoke a timeless Belarus, while the emotional weight of betrayal, both romantic and ideological, grounds the novel in the personal costs of national conflict. Two Souls is a meditation on fractured identity. Ignat embodies the title—torn between heritage and ideology, belonging and alienation. This edition brings to life a long-neglected classic that is as politically relevant today as it was over a century ago. ★★★★★

Carol Thompson for Reader’s Favorite

Initially penned by Maksim Haretski in his native Belarusian language and translated to English by Olya Ianovskaia, Two Souls offers a comprehensive look at the effects of the Russian Revolution on Belarus and its people. The novel depicts Belarus's struggle for independence through the eyes of Ignat Abdziralovich, a young officer. As the son of a Belarusian military officer, Ignat experiences a severe existential awakening, followed by intense internal conflict as he attempts to steer past his personal issues and social challenges in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution. Not only is his world divided due to conflicts surrounding class issues, conflicting ideologies, and socio-political dynamics—but Ignat's romantic life, sense of allegiance, and search for identity are also greatly affected by his ever-changing, unstable social landscape. Two Souls is a thought-provoking novel that flawlessly explores the unrest caused by the Russian Revolution against the backdrop of Belarus's struggles for sovereignty. Maksim Haretski delicately delves into themes of self-identity, class warfare, sacrifice, and nationalism through Ignat's profound and emotional journey. The author effortlessly transports readers into Ignat's conflicting internal world, fraught with its turbulent realities, making the historical narrative feel even more urgent and real. Ignat's heartfelt journey represents humanity's quest to appease tensions within oneself and one's sense of duty to one's nation. The key concept behind this moving tale remains as relevant in our modern times as it was in the past—deep introspection and self-acceptance are crucial in our search for self-identity. I highly recommend this book to historical fiction fans and individuals searching for a novel embodying self-discovery, personal struggles, social change, and political upheaval. ★★★★★

David Jaggart for Reader’s Favorite

Authors

Maksim Haretski

Maksim Haretski

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Maksim Haretski (18 February 1893 – 10 February 1938) was a Belarusian prose writer, journalist, folklorist, lexicographer, and educator. He is recognized as the first Belarusian existentialist author. Haretski was actively involved in the Belarusian national renewal movement and published under various pen names, including Maksim Biełarus and Kuźma Batura. Haretski’s literary works explored themes of human existence and national identity.

Haretski served in the Russian Army during World War I, and was imprisoned multiple times by both Polish and Soviet authorities – themes that often appear in his works. Maksim Haretski was executed by Soviet NKVD in 1938.

Description

Description

Two Souls delves into Ignat’s philosophical introspections, offering a profound commentary on the human search for identity amid the conflict between personal ambitions and collective duties. Through Ignat’s eyes, readers experience the complexities and contradictions of a society on the brink of significant change.

Two Souls is a work of deep exploration created by Belarus’ first existentialist writer. Maksim Haretski‘s masterful storytelling weaves a tale rich in historical and philosophical depth, vividly capturing the atmosphere of the early twentieth century and communicating the tension and uncertainty that pervaded Belarus during this transformative era.

First published in 1919, the novel offers a vivid portrayal of class struggles and a bold critique of Bolshevism, which led to its suppression for many years. Two Souls provides a critical lens through which to view the era’s political and social dynamics.

The present translation was undertaken with meticulous effort to retain the original flow and linguistic style of the novel. Every effort was made to stay as true to the original as possible, ensuring that the nuances and depth of Maksim Haretski’s work are preserved for English-speaking readers.

Weight .23 kg
Dimensions 20 × 13 × 1.5 cm
Title

Two Souls
Author

Maksim Haretski
Translator

Olya Ianovskaia
Format

Paperback
Pages

182