The Rasputin File

Rating:
Summary: Glimpse into the old believers and Russian mysticism
Review: When I visit Russia or read about it, I find most interesting the "old believers" and the pre Peter the Great Russia. Do these beliefs still exist, or were they wiped out by the communists? One of the difficulties of finding the answer is not having an understanding of what those beliefs were.

Because of lack of communication and bans on travel in Russia that go back to the time of Ivan, there a many Russias. The part of this book I found most valuable was the description of the various monastaries Rasputin visisted and the practices of the khylst sect. This book really gives a sense of the non-European layer of Russia.

I found the book provided a valuable window into a more private side of Russia.