Blog
Go On Pretending: From Stalin’s Doctors Plot to Soviet Central Television
Alina Adams post explores the creation of Dennis Kagan, a fictional Soviet media elite in the novel “Go On Pretending,” inspired by real-life Soviet propagandist Vladimir Pozner. Through Kagan’s story—shaped by personal trauma from Stalin’s Doctors Plot and cynical opportunism—the post examines Soviet media manipulation, propaganda, and shifting allegiances. Ultimately, Kagan’s character highlights how survival and self-interest often outweighed ideology in the USSR’s media landscape.
Go On Pretending: African-Americans and the USSR
Alina Adams explores the complex relationship between African-Americans and the USSR, focusing on Paul Robeson’s admiration for Stalin and the Soviet Union’s supposed racial equality. Through her novel’s characters, Adams highlights how some African-Americans, like Robeson, overlooked Soviet atrocities in hopes of a better life, only to confront harsh realities. The story questions the cost of “going on pretending” about utopian ideals.
Women at War: Media Coverage Then… and Now
Explore the evolving portrayal of women in war, contrasting historical male-focused narratives with increasing recognition of women’s roles. Alina Adams highlights her novels, “My Mother’s Secret” and “Go On Pretending,” which spotlight women in underrepresented conflicts like the Spanish Civil War and Rojava Revolution. Adams critiques media coverage of women in war, noting progress yet lingering novelty in their portrayal. She advocates for equal focus on women’s experiences and contributions, akin to the treatment of men in similar contexts.