Secret Journal 1836-1837 by Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin Search Amazon for other books by or about Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin. Rating: Reviewed by: John L. Hoh, Jr.

This is purportedly a secret journal by the writer (or poet?) Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin. In the front is the story of how the manuscript came to America and why it wasn't published for so long. The introduction doesn't clearly state if indeed Pushkin did write this journal or not. There is mention made of it not being similar to Pushkin's known writings. I haven't read Pushkin so I can't comment on that. And if this was a private journal, it probably wouldn't have received the critical editorial hand Pushkin's other works would have received.

This one-year or so journal documents Pushkin's marriage to a lady he only identifies as "N." Most ladies are only identified by letter (such as the masterful "Z" who knew her way in the bedroom). While Pushkin talks about his sexual conquests (he was disappointed in "N's" abilities and needed to "cat around" as he did before marriage), I wouldn't call it erotica. As a man, Pushkin simply states what happened and doesn't get into the touchy-feely details.

Along the way he makes observations on the state of marriage, why married couples lose lust for each other, society's seeming contradiction that an unmarried man is free to sow wild oats but a married man is condemned for straying. Pushkin also tells of the problems that comes from his affairs, the diseases he's brought into his marriage, and the jealousies (both when he and a rival, Dantes, want the same lady at the bordello and when this Dantes then takes to calling on "N.").

The book certainly opens up a door into the seamier side of life.