PATRIOT – A MEMOIR by Alexei Navalny

Where to start? This book was such an unexpected pleasure. It was funny – hilarious even. It was riveting, eye opening, a surprisingly easy read. The impulse to read this book came from my desire to understand, really understand, what makes a person make the kind of decision that Navalny made – to return to his native Russia from Germany after being poisoned and nearly dying. He never even considered any other option. Never considered working from exile. He retuned, even with the very real possibility of immediate arrest as soon as he set foot in his homeland. Which, as we know, is exactly what happened.

I get it now. Navalny is so clear about his love for his Russia and his visceral desire to do everything possible to see it through to a vibrant and livable future for all of its citizens. I was knocked out by the depth of his passion for that ideal. And by his belief that it is possible. His humor and compassion, in the most wretched and unforgiving circumstances, was inspiring. Even knowing how his story ends, I read much of this book with a grin on my face and a feeling that anything is possible. What a gift.

Additionally, I couldn’t have chosen a better time to read this book. While it broadened my understanding and knowledge of Russia and its people, it also broadened my perspective on the political situation here at home, reminded me to look at the arc of history to shore up my fortitude in these unsettled times.