Literature - The Face Of Brutal USSR

Ruthless political regimes understand that weak communities are fragile and conformist. Yet, every single tyranny eventually failed, and the USSR was no exception. In today’s world, there are numerous stories vividly demonstrating the evil behind this regime. In this article, you will discover 5 devastating and also true stories about the tyranny of the USSR.

“Haki adzba” - Leo Kiacheli

Set on February 27, 1918, amidst the Bolsheviks' struggle to consolidate power in the tumultuous Black Sea region, this novel follows Haki Adzba, a man bound by deep loyalty to his closest friend. However, this bond is harshly criticised by the leader of the Bolsheviks, who dismisses their relationship as mere slavery. The story delves into the ideological blindness of the Soviets, exposing their inability to distinguish genuine loyalty from servitude—a fundamental flaw in their vision and rule.

“Tragedy Of Jorjadze” - Memories of a soldier

After the failed rebellion of 1924, one soldier encountered the horrors they endured in prison. Among these accounts was a particularly heart-wrenching tragedy. An elderly man, frail and innocent of any direct violence, had been captured by the authorities. His only “crime” was supplying food to the rebels. His son, desperate to save him, pleaded for his father’s release, arguing that the old man had done no harm and hadn’t taken anyone’s life. The officer’s response was chillingly dehumanising: he demanded that the son prove his loyalty by killing his father. Faced with this horrifying ultimatum, the son pretended to comply. However, the moment he was handed a weapon, he turned it on the officer, killing him instead. This act of defiance enraged the authorities, who retaliated with brutal vengeance. The father and son were subjected to unspeakable torture, a cruel testament to the regime's ruthless grip on power.

“Jaqo's Dispossessed” - Mikheil Javakhishvili

This legendary novel vividly demonstrates that only evil benefits from tyranny. Jaqo, a foreign man, takes advantage of weak Aznauri (A nobleman) and appropriates his entire property. The tragedy is that Jaqo can do so with indirect support from the government. A man with an unknown past becomes head of the village. Jaqo forms his tyranny and takes advantage of poor society and eventually, takes economic monopoly over the village. Months later Jaqo was “dethroned” but with violence. This novel speaks volumes about the irresponsible government before “Jaqo’s reign” and also the ruthless political regime behind Jaqo.

“Murdered Soul” - Grigol Robakidze

This book was written before Stalin took over the USSR. The novel is a perfect prophecy of the brutal repression of opposition in 1937. Because of this book the author - Grigol Robakidze was painted as the enemy of the USSR and all of his works were forbidden. This action perfectly describes the USSR as a totalitarian state, where opposing ideas are repressed and hidden from general society.

“Lara” - Revaz Inanishvili

A short story written after the Soviet Union collapsed effectively illustrates a totalitarian state that divides society through its crooked and oppressive actions, leaving a lasting impact even after the regime's fall. “Lara” tells the story of a prisoner of the Soviet political regime. After the state collapsed, Lara was freed from prison but was severely damaged both physically and mentally. His son cared for him diligently, but as soon as Lara regained enough independence to function on his own, he did something shocking. Unaware that the USSR had fallen, Lara wrote to the KGB, accusing his son of listening to foreign radio.

Literature is the reflection of reality. None of the political regimes was able to hide their evil side. These five stories are a testament to the brutality of Soviet evil political reality.