Alexander Tarasov-Rodionov

He was born in Astrakhan where his father was a surveyor. He studied law at the University of Kazan and joined the Bolshevik party in 1905; taking an active part in the 1905 Revolution. In 1908, he received his law degree. He was drafted in 1914, and became a second lieutenant. Later, he participated in the 1917 Revolution and was involved in taking Pyotr Krasnov prisoner during the Kerensky-Krasnov uprising. He also fought with the Red Army during the Civil War. After being demobilized, he worked as a magistrate and was involved in setting up the literary organizations Kuznitsa (The Smithy) and RAPP.[1]

At this time, he also began writing. His works were printed in proletarian magazines such as Oktyabr and Young Guard.[1] His novel Chocolate (1922), was poorly received and has been criticized for justifying the Red Terror.

His troubles began in 1931 when, on a business trip to Berlin, he met Vladimir Nabokov and persuaded him to return to Russia for a visit. Nabokov's family had supported the White Army and he was disdainful of what he saw. After that, Tarasov-Rodionov was under suspicion. On 27 April 1938, he was arrested on charges of espionage and Trotskyism. He was sentenced to death the same day and, five months later, was executed at the Kommunarka shooting ground.[2] In 1956, he was rehabilitated.

A number of his other works, including Grass and Blood (1924) and his unfinished autobiographical trilogy Heavy Steps (begun in 1927) were long considered to be ideologically incorrect, along with Chocolate, which was also burned by the Nazis during the extensive Nazi book burnings in 1933.[3]

• Chocolate, a novel by Alexander Tarasov-Rodionov;translated from the Russian by Charles Malamuth, Doubleday, Doran & company, inc., 1932.
• Chocolate, from Fifty Years of Russian Prose, M.I.T Press, 1971.