For decades, French novelist Édouard Lefèvre was celebrated as one of Europe’s most passionate admirers of Russian literature. His books, infused with Tolstoyan grandeur and Dostoevskian depth, portrayed Russia as a land of artistic brilliance. But when Russia invaded Ukraine, Lefèvre faced a crisis: How could he reconcile his love for Russian culture with its government’s brutality?
The Allure of Russian Culture
Lefèvre’s obsession with Russia began in his youth. His debut novel, The Winter Diaries, was a love letter to the country’s snowy landscapes and literary giants. He forged friendships with Russian writers, defended its culture against stereotypes, and even learned the language to read Chekhov untranslated. “Russia isn’t just a place—it’s a way of thinking,” he often said.
The War That Shattered Illusions
In 2022, as Russian tanks entered Ukraine, Lefèvre was finalizing The Fire and the Samovar, a novel blending French and Russian history. Horrified by images of Bucha and Mariupol, he grappled with guilt. “The streets I’d wandered in Kyiv were now ruins,” he recalled. Worse, some Russian friends supported the war, while others cut ties after he condemned Putin.
A Painful Awakening
In a Le Monde essay, Lefèvre admitted: “Art cannot excuse atrocities.” He halted his Russian book tour, donated royalties to Ukrainian refugees, and questioned his past romanticism. Critics debated his sincerity—Ukrainian novelist Oksana Zelenska called it “late-stage guilt”—but scholars saw broader significance. “Lefèvre mirrors Europe’s struggle,” noted expert Jean-Luc Bernard.
Love, Reexamined
Now, Lefèvre writes about artists’ moral duties in wartime. He still cherishes Chekhov but refuses to visit Russia until the war ends. “True love requires accountability,” he says. His journey underscores a universal lesson: admiration must never ignore oppression.
