Review of “Maroussia”
“Maroussia” is an excellent novel for young readers (ages 8 to 12). Published in 1878 by Pierre-Jules Hetzel, Jules Verne’s renowned publisher, it will certainly appeal to fans of the great science fiction author. As with Jules Verne’s other works, the illustrations are superb.
“P.-J. Stahl” is Hetzel’s pen name, while “Marko Vovchok” is the pseudonym of Mariia Vilinska, a Ukrainian author who wrote the original tale that Hetzel later adapted for the French market. Maroussia, the heroine, is a Cossack girl who appears to be between 10 and 12 years old. In Stahl’s hands, she becomes the Joan of Arc of the Ukrainian independence movement. The idea is absurd, but Stahl and Vovchok’s success is enormous.
The events take place during the Ruin (1657-1687), a period when Ukraine was in a state of constant warfare. The Cossack Hetmanate, founded in 1649 by Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, had been the first independent Ukrainian nation or state. When Khmelnytskyi died in 1657, Russia and Poland invaded, leading to a twenty-year period of war. will end with the partition of Ukraine between Russia and Poland. Stahl mainly portrays Russia as the enemy, possibly because Russia will eventually conquer all of Ukraine plus half of Poland.
Overall, it must be said that the novel is very faithful to the true history of the region and has educational value. However, Maroussia is the novel’s strongest point. She is a truly remarkable heroine. She is very intelligent and very courageous. Her relationship with her close friend, a fighter in the ranks of the Ukrainian independence forces, is described with subtlety and intelligence. Because Maroussia is a martyr, she is expected to die at the end. Fortunately, Stahl decides to offer a second ending in which she survives.
It is not necessary to be of Ukrainian descent to enjoy “Maroussia.” The most important thing is that the young reader appreciates the old-fashioned style of Hetzel and Jules Verne.