A Body Outside the Kremlin

Authors

James L. May, English Department - Creative Writing ProgramFollow

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Major/Program

Creative Writing

First Advisor's Name

Lynne Barrett

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Les Standiford

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Third Advisor's Name

Asher Z. Milbauer

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Keywords

GULag, Solovetsky, mystery, Russian history, novel

Date of Defense

3-5-2015

Abstract

A BODY OUTSIDE THE KREMLIN is a historical mystery novel set in the Northern Camps of Special Significance, a Soviet Russian penal institution based in the Solovetsky Archipelago during the 1920s. The protagonist, working first with the camp authorities, then in spite of their disapproval, solves the murder of a fellow prisoner. In the process he improves his position within the camp, while also becoming hardened to the brutal necessities of camp life. Prior to the establishment of the penal camp, the Solovetsky Archipelago was the site of an important Russian Orthodox monastery, and the mystery proves to involve valuables, particularly icons, seized from the monks by the Soviet secret police. Thus the novel treats themes not only of statist repression, but also religious epiphany and the problems of true perception in a world of symbols.

Identifier

FI15032128

Recommended Citation

May, James L., "A Body Outside the Kremlin" (2015). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1938.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/1938