История одинокой жизни. Чайковский. Бородин

Nina Berberova, the author of the book “My Italics,” is a recognized master of fictionalized biographies.

Talking about the destinies of the great Russian composers P.I. Tchaikovsky and A.P. Borodin, Berberova creates portraits of two living people - so different, but equally devoted to Music. She does not keep silent about the scandalous aspects of the life of her heroes, but remains tactful and faithful to the facts.

"Some people look at Borodin as a rarity, real perfection: happy, handsome, learned and talented... Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, they say he is very unhappy, and Borodin inspires curiosity in him precisely with his balance...

Both exchange polite words, smile at each other, take off their hats in front of each other. “Amateur,” Tchaikovsky thinks about Borodin; “clinical element” , - Borodin thinks about Tchaikovsky."