The Art of the Russian Matryoshka
By Rett Ertl and Rick Hibberd 

     The Art of the Russian Matryoshka by Rett Ertl and Rick Hibberd is essential Russia boiled down to one historic craft, its artisans and the village from which the adorable puzzle-like dolls come. Although this exquisite coffee-table book covers only one narrow aspect of what comes out of Russia, Russia's essence emanates from its pages. The quality of the pictures, and the historical landscape they represent, as well as a chapter on “Entrepreneurs in the New Russia” are all here.

    One essential quality of Matryoshkas, or “nesting dolls,” is the moment, and, secondarily, the place. The classic sets are pure Russian—the folklore and literature, costumes, and especially the insularity. The ones I saw recently in Russia certainly fall into this category, but they are inspired by whatever might interest a particular artisan—Russian or not. (Or they might reflect what a Russian perceives as something that would appeal to a traveler in his country.)

     I saw one set of Harry Potter nesting dolls, bought a set of Beatles dolls for a friend and a set of Warner Brothers cartoon dolls for a child I know. Countries are more closely bound than ever before. We affect one another's language, culture, even politics. Nothing is untouched, but that makes the collecting—and the browsing through this book—all the more delightful.

      So, readers and travelers and those interested in Russia, this isn't really a book about collecting or about a craft. It's a book about Russia, as sure and sturdy as the traditional babushka’d doll staring at you from the cover.

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Carolyn Howard-Johnson's books, stories and poems explore cultures and how they affect the human condition. Many are about Russia, the politics, the land, the sky. Learn more at: http://carolynhowardjohnson.com.