Soldiers are not born（Volume 1 and 2）

Author: Konstantin Simonov, Zhao Guilian, Wan Lina, Wu Yanping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
Features: Not Born a Soldier is the second part of a trilogy of novels by the Soviet writer Konstantin Simonov, depicting the Battle of Stalingrad in 1942–1943. The novel not only portrays the brutal scenes of war but also creates vivid images of Red Army soldiers. These soldiers were not born as soldiers; they came from various fronts during peacetime to fight against the German fascists on the front lines. Through the baptism of battle, countless bloodshed, and sacrifices, they ultimately became an invincible army. On the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, the "Rediscovering Classic War Literature" series introduced Soviet works, though they did not receive enough attention, they are still worth focusing on. Konstantin Simonov, known as the founder of "panoramic" novels, spent 15 years writing the trilogy Living and Dead, Not Born a Soldier, and The Last Summer, depicting the entire Soviet war from 1941 to 1945. From the initial full-scale retreat of the Soviet Red Army to the victory in the liberation of Belarus in the summer of 1944, the novels showcase the cruelty of the front-line war, the hardships of life in the rear, and the true portrayal of the protagonists' emotional lives and wartime psychological states. The Nobel laureate Sholokhov's novel They Fought for Their Country also draws significant attention in this series. Leonov, known as the "Hero of Russia," wrote his autobiographical memoir One-Armed Sky, and the short report Dana, both of which are familiar to Chinese readers as heroic figures. This series records and portrays the heroic and moving history and spirit of the Russian people and army, who fought tirelessly and ultimately achieved victory. It holds great historical, artistic, and educational value for Chinese readers, especially the younger generation. Konstantin Simonov, hailed as the founder of "panoramic" novels, is a renowned Soviet writer skilled at depicting grand historical scenes and profound life philosophies. This book is the second part of his trilogy Living and Dead, depicting the Soviet Red Army in the Battle of Stalingrad in 1943. The protagonists Shcherpilin, Sinitsov, and others represent the fate of those suppressed in the Soviet Union in the 1930s. Despite their unfair treatment, their patriotism never wavered, and their conscience never faded. When the German fascists invaded their homeland, they fought fearlessly on the front lines. The novel fully showcases the Soviet soldiers' unwavering belief in victory and their strong sense of responsibility to their country. The author created over 200 characters and narrated numerous real-life details of the war, many of which were based on his own experiences on the battlefield, making the novel vivid, realistic, and emotionally touching. What is even more valuable is that the trilogy not only depicts the fate of people during the war but also, for the first time in Soviet literary history, touches on a series of sharp and realistic issues. As a result, the trilogy was awarded the 1974 Lenin Prize.