The Czar's Madman
Cover of the English translation
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| Author | Jaan Kross |
|---|---|
| Original title | Keisri hull |
| Translator |
George Kurman or Anselm Hollo |
| Country | Estonia |
| Language | Estonian |
| Genre | Historical novel |
| Publisher | Eesti Raamat |
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Publication date
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1978 |
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Published in English
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1992 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 352 |
The Czar's Madman (Estonian: Keisri hull) is a 1978 novel by Estonian writer Jaan Kross.
This historical novel is about a Livonian nobleman, Timotheus von Bock, who has married a peasant girl named Eeva to prove everyone that good men are equal before nature, God and ideals. Eeva's brother Jakob analyses von Bock's life throughout his journal and tries to figure out if the nobleman is truly mad as everyone seems to believe. The Czar's Madman is arguably one of the best-known Estonian novels in the world.
The "Czar's Madman" is a reference to the main character who has been imprisoned for being so bold as to talk frankly to the Czar. This is enough to bring accusations of 'insanity'.
The story is written in diary form, describing the impact of revolutionary thinking on the part of a family member.
Aristocrat Timotheus von Bock (the diarist's brother in law) writes a letter to the Czar criticising the way in which the Czar's family runs the country. He justifies this act by an oath made to the Czar to give an honest appraisal of the situation.
Von Bock is imprisoned as a traitor (although the reason for his imprisonment is kept secret, as is the letter) for 9 years before being released into house arrest on the basis that he is 'mad'.
Winner of the 1989 Le prix du Meilleur livre étranger.
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