Commentary: Under the Yoke by Ivan Vazoff

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Under the Yoke by Ivan Vazoff is a story of a Bulgarian insurrection against the Turks, a love story fueled by patriotism, a wilderness-adventure spanning the Balkan mountains, where the occasional fight against a pack of wolves isn't uncommon, a village comedy at times, and, in the end, a striking tragedy, all filled with the tropes of Slavic literature. I recommend this marvelous story to those who are familiar with the literature of Russia or other countries in Eastern Europe. For those who have not read Slavic literature before, I would definitely urge you to save this book for a later date, but don't forget about it, as it is worth your time (whenever you are ready.) ⁣
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The reason I caution against picking up this text if you aren't familiar with Slavic lit is that the beauty of the story is found in the understanding of the characters in the historical and cultural context. Setting aside the political history of the story, where some readers may get tripped up, even the love story between our hero, Boicho, and his heroine, Rada, is rife with tropes that could be seen as overbearing to someone who is unfamiliar with their origins. For instance, Rada is the epitome of a Slavic heroine, mainly due to how she bears her suffering. She suffers the loneliness of being an orphan, the struggle of loving an outlaw, and the hardship of living alone through a dire moment in her country's history all in humble grace. She does not hide her emotions well, but she doesn't complain. This is one of the most popular tropes in Slavic literature in the era this book was written. Look at Leo Tolstoy's heroines-- Anna from Anna Karenina, Masha from War and Peace-- they both suffer humiliations, loss, confusion, violence, all with the tragic dignity that Slavic literature so celebrates in its women. To best understand Rada in context, one must understand this trope. Understanding this trope gave me permission to fall deeply into her shoes, to feel her feelings, and to suffer with her, as I would a friend or a sister.

Honestly, this book took me totally by surprise. I originally purchased it, thinking it was a non-fiction book about Bulgarian liberation. Only when I read the introduction did I realize that the book was a fiction, set during the 1875-1876 insurrections. I went in hoping to learn a lot about the history of that movement, but, surprisingly, I loved what I discovered instead. Though I didn't learn facts about the revolution, I enjoyed very much the experience of the story itself. While overtly patriotic and nationalistic (every Bulgarian character we meet is idolized as a perfect person, generous, hospitable, honorable, brave, etc., while the Turkish characters are all vile or stupid), I found myself engrossed in the plot, falling in love with some characters, snarling at others, captured by the action of the chase scenes between the Bulgarian rebels and the Turkish officials, and, admittedly, tearing up more than once.

I've spoken in previous reviews about studying history, particularly the history of Eastern Europe (see my post on "Transylvania: History and Reality") and how it is important to take the time to understand the historical context before absorbing the information at face value. This book was no different. There was a lot about it that felt propagandistic. But I found this to be a particularly important read because the author, Ivan Vazoff, is considered to be "the patriarch of Bulgarian literature." His writing (as a poet, novelist, and playwright) has deeply influenced Bulgarian literature, in that he (some would say) invented the literary language we see on the page. In his introduction, Edmund Gosse wrote,

"Having no Bulgarian models to follow, and no native traditions of poetical style, Vazoff has had to invent the very forms of versification that he uses. His success has already led to the creation of a school of young Bulgarian poets, but, though many have imitated Vazoff with taken, not one approaches him in the melody of his metrical effects or in his magical command of the resources of the Bulgarian language."  

To better appreciate and understand Bulgarian culture and writing, I found Ivan Vazoff's Under the Yoke and, although it did not adhere to my initial expectations, it granted me a newfound love of Slavic writing.