Author Eugene Yelchin shares this memoir of his childhood in Cold War Russia. Living with his father, mother, grandmother, and brother in a single room in a communal apartment is a life-style little known and understood by Americans then or even now.
Life was tense and rule-driven. When Eugene wasn't at school, he was helping the family. Each family in the communal apartment was given weekly chores such as scrubbing the floors in the common areas. His brother was kept busy with his figure skating practices. It was hoped that he would compete at a level that allowed him to travel to foreign places and perhaps one day have his own private apartment.
Eugene's mother worked with the Vaganova Ballet Company. She had an often unhealthy fascination with the famous ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov. If only one of her sons had the talent for ballet. According to Eugene's parents, the only way to be successful in the USSR was to have a special talent for something. Eugene was a disappointment in that department. He failed at sports, dance, skating, and even chess.
One thing that brought Eugene pleasure was art. In their cramped room, the only place for his bed each night was under his grandmother's antique dining table. While the rest of his family slept, he drew pictures on the underside of the table. When he was eventually discovered, and was thrilled to learn that this may be his special talent.
THE GENIUS UNDER THE TABLE describes the strict life of those living in Russia, the temptations presented by visiting American tourists, and the ever present fear of being revealed by a Soviet spy like the one living in their apartment. Eugene knew there were secrets involving his grandfather and maybe more unknowns that he wanted to learn about but that could have been threats to his family's safety and welfare. Reading Yelchin's memoir brings to light an era not often present in books and stories.
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