‘Comrade Doris’: Lessing’s correspondence with the Foreign Commission of the Board of Soviet Writers in the 1950s

From the cracked and humming screen of a hand-winding microfilm reader in suburban Moscow emerged slowly names correspondence several British writers. Some I had hoped to find, others were completely new me, one knew well enough but never dreamt finding here. Doris Lessing’s signature struck like lightening from reels reports on state ‘progressive’ literature West.11 Many thanks are due Goryaeva Tatyana Mikhailovna, Director RGALI, The Russian State Archive Literature Arts, for granting access archival materials discussed, Leverhulme Trust funding my research project, ‘Brave New Classics’, http://bravenewclassics.info (2016–2019), Dr Anna Trostnikova her patient assistance helping me interpret letters. Undisturbed many years, letters Lessing ‘Archive Muses’, form part rich exchange between English Scottish writers Foreign Commission Soviet Writers' Union at 52 Vorovsky Street, Moscow. these English, although, as we shall see, few superstar writer, Boris Polevoy, which show increasing disillusionment with Union, appear exist only contemporary translation no surviving originals.22 It is probable that Polevoy’s also translated by Krugerskaya into therefore some degree censored. All quotations where it Russian, will be noted. Apletin’s written him English. was surprised find this archive mainly because looking something else, relationship has been rationalised perhaps even rendered down regrettable blip timeline an illustrious career. This article attempts assess then, whatever possible, drawing found comparing them retrospective autobiographical writing interviews. does not attempt examine shifting political allegiances witnessed fictional writing.33 For account Golden Notebook ‘socialist bildungsroman’, see Kohlmann (2015). Southern Rhodesian capital city Salisbury—now Zimbabwean Harare—where she lived 1937 1949 enthusiastically engaged communist ideas spreading across Europe defiance rising fascism continent.44 Lessing, Walking Shade (London: Flamingo, 1998), 22; E. Maslen, ‘Lessing [née Tayler], May (1919–2013), writer’, Oxford Dictionary National Biography [ODNB] (Oxford: OUP, 2017, November 27). Her participation group made up left-leaning colonials European refugees taught language communism, later felt facilitated acceptance literary leftist circles moved arrival London 1949.55 22. Among numbered second husband, German Jewish Gottfried Anton Nicholas (1914–1979); ODNB. Although carried out expected duties writer more or less soon arrived, example leafleting ill-fated Sheffield Conference 1950,66 46. relocated Warsaw Government refused visas large swathe delegates; Andrew Defty, Britain, America Anti-Communist Propaganda 1945–53 (Abingdon: Routledge, 2004).196–199. became card-carrying member Communist Party Great Britain (CPGB) 1952. believe decade countries world freer, democratic (in political, economic sense words) than Western World, rapidly becoming free, democratic. If did think would remain Communist. Too people have prepared die liberty freedom last five hundred years words become mere symbols outdated system.88 Going Home Harper Collins, 1957, 2009 ed.), 116. leadership corrupt waiting everywhere good communists, keeping their counsel, they right time take power, then communism resume its march just society, perfect society. There little thing: didn't realize Uncle Joe murdered all.1111 54. To dismiss early commitment international cause youthful naivety risks misunderstanding undervaluing convictions. But underestimating energy debate spirit solidarity among community opinionated creative individuals who engaged, various degrees depths, activities CPGB Writers. quite possible relatively common feel utter despair ‘the Party’ (i.e., CPGB) while maintaining strong personal ties other non-Soviet communists abroad.1212 One salient Australia-born poet polymath Jack Lindsay (1900–89), fractious CPGB, whilst remaining consistent friend correspondent Writers, course both sides Iron Curtain 1960s beyond. friends, hard-liner, ‘perhaps purest done Party’, 83. Lindsay, visit website created Anne Cranny-Francis https://jacklindsayproject.com. Communism’s internationalism irreverence tradition attractive great artists, musicians left. anticommunism meant extent co-opted Cold War narrative supports inevitability capitalist status quo.1313 See Matthew Taunton, Red Britain: Revolution Mid-Century Culture University Press, 2019), 3 same phenomenon regard Arthur Koestler George Orwell. After World 2, victorious depleted sought mend West. Nazi-Soviet pact final straw formerly pro-Soviet intellectuals. Those disillusioned crucial reestablish relations West height War.1414 excellent discussion influence culture, full bibliography. Ludmilla Stern, whose provocative Intellectuals 1920–1940 investigates mechanism how intellectuals seduced manipulated ‘Soviet myth’, paints picture deceptive officials leading flattered authors nose. She shows Board Writers (Inostrannaya Komissiya Pravleniya Soyuza Sovetskikh Pisateley, Inkomissiya) forged predecessor organisations illuminates darker recesses cultural policy. Commission’s work winning support reached deeper Potempkinesque curation achievements.1515 1920–40: Square Left Bank (New York: 2007) Michael David-Fox, Showcasing experiment: diplomacy western visitors 1921–1941 2012), esp. 43–60. However disingenuous, there superficial about rapport built leftists particularly uncomfortable assertion Stern makes ‘idealistic’ ‘disinterested’ feels commonly perceived. ‘Many sympathizers’, states, ‘tended publicize positive information overlooking suppressing negative. simply lied.’1616 2007), 4–5. In letter – published admits much, below. selective reporting achievements sympathisers entirely deliberate. They fuel already raging inferno anti-Soviet sentiment, surely derail social progress, towards actual realisation socialism. virulent anticommunist sentiment West, stoked media, antagonised radicalised moderate Competing views thus hopelessly caricatured through obstinate polarisation. organisation granted ‘parallel universe’ Union.1717 John Connor, ‘Anglo-Soviet Literary Relations Long 1930s’, Benjamin Taunton (eds), A History 1930s (Cambridge: CUP), 318. platform encouraged publicise report back figures events home countries. Founded 1936 when best,1818 175. acted along similar lines MORP (International Association Revolutionary Writers) VOKS (All-Union Society Cultural Relations). handled foreign writers’ translations publications sent took care requests assistance'.1919 1921-1941 306. As David-Fox explains, ‘day-to-day operations run vice chairman, capable veteran Mikhail Apletin.’2020 ibid., beginning, however, four top, Tretyakov, Koltsov, Dinamov Apletin. Only Apletin survived purges. By 1950s, still control, he joined war hero, Alexei Surkov (1899–1983) editor Commission's journal, International Literature, magazine Ogonëk, 1957 circulation 850,000.2121 B. Turkevich, Periodicals’. Books Abroad. 32 (4): Autumn 1958, 371. interpreter Oksana Krugerskaya. main point contact majority Australian 1940s around 1971, left seemed vanish. clearly someone impression. Ewan MacColl Jean Newlove dubbed ‘Miss Sputnik’, ‘whizz[ed] sending signals visiting types’.2222 Krugerskaya, 5 1957; RGALI 631.26.832. formed close bonds numerous writers, provided not-always-welcome critical feedback sometimes collaborated projects.2323 Lindsay’s selection Poetry 1917-1955, bears dedication: ‘To Krugerskaia [sic] without help should completed collection’. 1917-1955 Bodley Head, 1957), v. referred ‘beautiful Georgian girl’ portrayed nanny-shrew’ berating seriously wounded drunk knocked over car.2424 67 78. generously described author Patrick White likened ‘big black velvet spider’.2525 Geoffrey Dutton, Out open: autobiography (University Queensland 1994), 328. obstructive, Stalinist chaperone prevented real authors. Naomi Mitchison rude ‘hideous’ dresses, Douglas Young delighted catch mistranslating reality shone too brightly facade.2626 69–70. building fine art.2727 190-192. kept touch predominantly extensive writing, after organised writers' trips Union. first since broke delegation six writers: Liberty-frocked Labourite Mitchison; bow-tie-clad convert A.E. Coppard; gigantic, kilt-wearing Scots poet, classicist, former SNP leader Young; novelist ex-military man Richard Mason; prominent Leeds-based Marxist critic Arnold Kettle; and, course, Lessing.2828 58-79 colourful trip description UK delegates. motley band under auspices Authors' Peace Appeal (AWPA). Even though cofounded 1951 pacifist Joy Sex (1972) Alex Comfort (neither whom communists), quickly populated known widely considered front offensive. Appeal's original aim warm negotiation. conceived genuinely cross-party alliance promoting peace; seems clear heavy-handed intervention Soviets saw valuable propaganda opportunity. continued advocate Appeal, Labour blacklisted 1953. intense, physically emotionally draining all involved. Reflecting 1998, wrote ‘seldom so torn, astonished, disappointed, alert… alive, during trip, memories most vivid have’.2929 61. delegates inappropriate tell hosts overwhelmingly hostile popular feeling communism. Soviets, part, attempted showcase concealing rest. What resulted curious confluence concealed expectations, hidden agendas circumspect disclosures. delegates, deep camaraderie helped maintain high levels diplomacy. And bond lingered returned. Mitchison, Coppard next years. On hearing Stalin's grave illness March 1953, wrote, 'it loss receive news, you'.3030 1953: 631.26.730. replied: ‘The death works teachings immortal challenge living carry path charted.’3131 n.d. April attitude Stalin 1952 ‘by … reverential’.3232 76. short story Day Died’, dispassionate atmosphere Bruegel’s Fall Icarus (1555), revealing quiet indifference amid crescendo ideological aporia.3333 day died’, Reasoner, No. Thompson, P. Saville, J. eds, Autumn, pp. 30-39. Condolences encomia, flooded following Stalin. hard imagine embarrassed genre literature. AWPA received card. During played bridging divide conservatively inclined namely Nationalist intelligence officer 14th army Mason, number Coppard, Congress (Wroclaw, 1948) fell love ‘as if’, tells us, ‘he given potion’.3434 58. go-between role returned press liking. Perhaps N[aomi Mitchison] trying turned attention household affairs avoid incurring displeasure leaders [Labour Party] associated two decades?3535 25 Feb Wing here whole life. Do expect suddenly communist? not. Movement, not, gain kinds people, may communists. came prejudice, convinced war-mongers. away profoundly desires peace. Does matter continues disagree aspects life your country? ever country, articles addressing meetings country here, saying […] you don’t know if can suggest retires housework. incredibly active person. got Press. successful rest us failed, husband Parliament respectable suspected precisely why valuable, Mr Aplaten [sic]. face noncommunist moderates unexpectedly staunch advocates Apletin, expands transformatory effect dogma ‘conservative’ comrades. Mason confronted professor Amsterdam usual criticism, fought defend USSR. reflected sort experience ‘enough turn anyone communist', told Apletin.3838 August 1952: 631.26.706. fierce bias greeted now shocking him. detail such cloak apparent neutrality dominant ideology often escapes notice slides quietly oblivion. 1950s required studied fearlessness life-changing implications. myself [the hundreds others, devoted lives working happen could accept “revelations” trials torture country. truth long before 20th Congress. politics Hungary, climax chain bad events. We bear cynicism disdain shown leadership.4141 Polevoy (21.01.1957); RGALI: 631.26.830. N.b. Translated You insist [i.e., Soviet] intervention, reigned Hungary. plenty evidence coming journalists possibly called reactionary contradicts view. Let journalist. brilliant England, quit very job Times, alongside partisans Italy Tito Yugoslavia. When war, paid posts papers, disapproved, preferred earn his Statesman low-paying progressive publications. He “capitalist spy” [László] Rajk’s trial, unfair firmly stood cold period, speaking publicly defense easy then. fired China, itself line, stand despite being ‘capitalist spy’ fools Party, insult instead thinking themselves. went Hungary back, criticised politics. indeed want equally honest press’, bribed lost bravery sold out?4444 My dear Polevoy! Of side. How otherwise? spite this, spiritually am Wolfgang Harich [sentenced 10 counterrevolutionary conspiracy], jail Germany. do contradiction this.4545 (16.03.1957); thousands socialists faith, starting regain faith Polish cynical trust ordinary facts.4747 disagrees assessment USSR wants friends agree paradise ‘peopled beings snow-white raiment nourishing nectar ambrosia strumming harps. No, our huge construction site builders.’5050 (n.d. safely assume Jan Feb, 1957); argues forcefully response saved return fascism. cannot justification. Please devotion socialism (and us) sincere, determination silent things doing disapprove of, mean admire what socialism.5252 Henry Stead Lecturer Latin St Andrews. Cockney Catullus (2015), co-author People's Classics (2020) co-editor Greek Roman Struggle Social Reform (Bloomsbury, 2015). His current project 'Brave Classics' intersections Classics, culture.