"Before the Mirror" by Veniamin Kaverin, summary Automatic translate

Veniamin Kaverin’s novel, written between 1965 and 1970, is an epistolary novel. It is based on a true correspondence that spanned a quarter of a century. The main characters were based on the Russian artist Lidia Nikanorova and the mathematician Pavel Bezsonov. The authenticity of the letters conveys the drama of two people. Liza Turaeva and Konstantin Karnovsky communicate through letters throughout their lives. Their correspondence reveals a world of sincere feelings, spiritual quests, and unfulfilled hopes.

The first years and St. Petersburg meetings

The story begins in 1910. High school student Elizaveta Turaeva and Kazan University student Konstantin Karnovsky meet at a ball at a boys’ high school in Perm. They begin a regular correspondence. Liza openly shares her experiences, doubts, and search for the meaning of life. She dreams of great achievements and reads voraciously. Liza possesses a lively mind and a fiery temperament.

Konstantin’s answers are reserved and rational. He grew up poor, lost his father early, and now supports a large family. The young man is accustomed to relying on strict logic and values personal independence. Konstantin works hard, earns money through private tutoring, and is preparing for his master’s degree. He fears strong attachments and diligently avoids the excitement of love. Konstantin is friends with a student, Nikolai Lavrov, with whom he often argues about the purpose of science.

Liza moves from city to city following her officer father. She lives at the Votkinsk plant, in Sarapul, and then goes to St. Petersburg. She wants to study physics and mathematics at the Bestuzhev Higher Courses. Art gradually takes precedence over the exact sciences. She attends exhibitions, becomes interested in theater, and begins drawing. Liza makes a close friend, Shura, who supports her in everything. Life in St. Petersburg is full of new experiences.

In St. Petersburg, Liza enrolls in an art workshop. Renowned painters Dobuzhinsky and Yakovlev teach there. She immerses herself in the bohemian life, attending debates on the future of art. She falls in love with Konstantin and eagerly awaits his letters. Konstantin is also attached to Liza, but diligently conceals his feelings behind a veneer of prudence. He visits her only for short vacations.

The characters’ rare meetings are full of omissions and hidden tension. During their meetings in Kazan and St. Petersburg, Konstantin maintains his distance. He develops a "theory of free living" and refuses to commit himself to marriage. Lisa is painfully affected by this coldness. She finds partial solace in painting and new friends. Dmitry Gorin, a native of St. Petersburg, enters her circle. He becomes genuinely attached to Lisa and proposes marriage. She refuses, remaining faithful to her complex feelings for Konstantin.

War, revolution and emigration

The First World War shattered the familiar order. Liza left for Yalta to treat her ailing lungs. She remained in Crimea for many years. She took lessons from the elderly Armenian artist Vardges Sureniants. He became a close friend and spiritual mentor. Liza found solace in art, painting seascapes and copying ancient Byzantine frescoes. This work shaped her personal style.

Konstantin remained in Kazan and later moved to Moscow. He taught at the university, organized a workers’ department, and made significant advances in science. Contact between Liza and Konstantin was interrupted by the fighting. Liza was starving in German-occupied Crimea. She was forced to sell her belongings to survive. She cherished the hope of going to France and continuing her painting studies with French masters.

In 1920, Liza, along with a stream of refugees, left Crimea on a steamship. She reached Constantinople, hoping to move on to Paris. Life in a foreign land turned into abject poverty. Liza worked as a typist at a naval base, going without food for long periods. She was forced to play the piano in a port cabaret for foreign sailors. A filthy, motley crowd swarmed around her.

To escape her utter loneliness, Liza marries Alexei. He is a Russian émigré who lost his leg at the front. Together, they find work at the estate of the former Egyptian ruler, Chibukli. Liza teaches Egyptian princesses drawing and works as a translator. She soon separates from Alexei, realizing she cannot live without true creativity. The marriage turns out to be a mistake.

Parisian everyday life and life in Corsica

Liza finally reaches Paris. New trials and a half-starved existence await her in France. The artist takes on any menial task. She paints silk scarves, umbrella handles, and decorates the walls of Russian all-night restaurants. Artist Georgy Gordeyev is by her side. Together, they share the hardships of émigré life.

Georgy helps Liza survive, but torments her with constant scenes of jealousy. Liza feels like a bird in a cramped cage. Meanwhile, her correspondence with Konstantin resumes. He lives in Moscow, works on complex mathematical calculations, and lectures at institutes. Konstantin’s letters become Liza’s only lifeline. This correspondence replaces her home and restores her self-confidence. Konstantin learns of Liza’s difficult life and tries to support her morally.

In Paris, Lisa meets the poet Larisa Nestroyeva. This character was modeled on Marina Tsvetaeva. Meetings with Nestroyeva leave a profound impression on Lisa. The poet amazes the artist with her strength of spirit and uncompromising approach. Lisa also befriends the talented Russian artist Korn. Conversations with him help her understand her own path in painting. Korn teaches her to view color as the central element of a painting. Lisa abandons copying other people’s models and begins to create her own independent works.

Konstantin isn’t completely alone in Moscow either. He becomes close to actress Nadya Medvedeva. Nadya loves Konstantin and hopes his feelings are reciprocated. Liza learns of her through letters but isn’t overly jealous. The artist sends Nadya her regards and even considers her a sister. Liza realizes that Konstantin’s heart still belongs only to her. Konstantin breaks up with Nadya, unable to deceive either her or himself. His soul is forever bound to Liza.

Seeking complete independence, Lisa leaves Georgy. The artist moves to Corsica, to the small town of Bonifacio. There, she lives in dire poverty but finds the creative freedom she longs for. Lisa paints Corsican landscapes, still lifes, and portraits of local fishermen and shepherds. The local nature amazes her with its rich colors and grandeur.

Her style evolves, absorbing the dazzling southern light and the austerity of ancient traditions. She befriends a local eccentric, Joseph, and paints his portrait. Liza passionately desires to return to Russia to Konstantin. She submits official requests for entry, but is repeatedly refused. Konstantin also intervenes for her return through influential Moscow friends.

A short meeting and the final

In 1928, Konstantin arrived in Paris on a scientific trip. He gave a report at the Sorbonne and met with French mathematicians. Konstantin and Lisa reunited after many years of difficult separation. Konstantin’s previous fears and doubts completely disappeared. He realized that Lisa was the only person truly close to him. Konstantin stayed with her in the village of Mesnil, despite the presence of Georgy Gordeev.

Love flares up between them with a new, unprecedented intensity. They spend brief but happy days together. The lovers make plans for the future and hope to soon meet again in their homeland. Konstantin promises to do everything possible to ensure Liza can come to Moscow. He returns to the Soviet Union, and Liza remains waiting. Their correspondence becomes even more tender.

Konstantin struggles to secure another trip abroad. He prepares to leave for Paris, but suddenly falls ill with arachnoiditis, an inflammation of the meninges. Konstantin is admitted to Botkin Hospital. Doctors strictly forbid him from reading and writing for a long time. Liza also conceals a flare-up of tuberculosis, which is making her weaker with each passing day. She endures the fever on her feet. The artist writes in one of her last letters: "I’m waiting for you. You know how it is!"

The artist prepares her solo exhibition in Paris. The event is a smash hit, finally bringing Liza her long-awaited success. Critics praise her unique style and depth. Despite this victory, Liza’s vitality rapidly wanes. Their correspondence breaks off. The lovers remain separated by national borders and serious illnesses. The dream of reunion is destined to be dashed.