Review of Nostalgia (1983) by James C — 12 Oct 2007

Andrey Gorchakov, drunk, talking to an Italian child in a flooded church.

â??What are you doing here? Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid of me. It's I who should be afraid of you. You could shoot me. Everyone shoots in Italy. And there are too many.

Italian shoes! Dreadful! Why does everyone buy them? These are 10 years old (pointing at his own shoes) It's not important. All right!

You (Italians) know of great romances, no kisses, nothing at all. Very pure! Hence great. Feelings, unspoken feelings are unforgettable. Here (inside the church) it's like in Russia. I don't know why. You know I don't speak Italian well. Here's a story (starts speaking in Russian): A man saves another who was sinking into a slimy pond thereby risking his own life. Now they are both lying on the edge of the pond out of breath, exhausted. The rescued man says: â??Idiot! Why did you do that? I live in there!â?? He (the rescued) was offended.â??

Eugenia, in love with Gorchakov, frustrated that he does not seem to be aware of her advances:

â??You're a funk! Full of complexes. You're not free. You all seem to want freedom but when you get it you don't know what to do with it or what it is. That's enough! It must be this country, the air one breathes here. Because in Moscow I met some wonderful men.

What are you all after? This? (exposes her breast) Not you! You're a kind of saint. You're interested in Madonnas. You're different! One "intellectual" tried to keep me locked up! Can't I ever meet the right man? I don't mean you, you're the worst. But I swear I'll find my kind of man! And I have, he's waiting for me in Rome. You dress badly too. And you're boring. You're the kind I'd sleep with rather than explain why I don't feel like it. Don't you see? I found myself in a most embarrassing position! I've had enough! I can't take any more! I'd like to sleep for 10 days and wipe you out. Maybe there's nothing to wipe out because you don't exist. It's my problem. Why do I like idiots? Men with no charm. I might look young but I know all about charm! You know the night I met you I dreamt that a soft worm with lots of legs fell on my head. It stung me. It was poisonous. I kept shaking my head until it fell off. I tried to squash it before it reached the wardrobe but it was no good. I kept just missing it. I just couldn't squash it. Since that night I keep touching my hair. Thank God there's been nothing between us! Just the thought makes me sick!â??

Gorchakov (in Russian): â??She's insane.â??