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Marina Vlady "Vladimir, or the Last Flight"

I recommend this to those captivated by stories of charismatic personalities and the inner demons that tore at them throughout their lives. This book tells the story of the shared life of Russian poet, actor and bard Vladimir Vysotsky and French actress Marina Vlady. The demon of alcohol that tore at this relationship. The role of the co-dependent woman in the life of a beloved man - an alcoholic. Vysotsky - a genius, charismatic, beloved and admired by all - and dependent, weak, pathetic, egoistic.

Marina Vlady's book VLADIMIR, OR THE LAST FLIGHT (Zvaigzne ABC, 2008) I recommend to those captivated by stories of charismatic personalities and the inner demons that tore at them throughout their lives. This book tells the story of the shared life of Russian poet, actor and bard Vladimir Vysotsky and French actress Marina Vlady. The demon of alcohol that tore at this relationship. The role of the co-dependent woman in the life of a beloved man - an alcoholic. Vysotsky - a genius, charismatic, beloved and admired by all - and dependent, weak, pathetic, egoistic.

Vlady has written the book in an "I – you" form, as if in endless address to her beloved man. The lines are permeated with immense exhaustion from sleepless nights, anxiety, admiration - but not a grain of reproach.

The author and the book's heroine seems to have taken on the role of mother and carer to a man-child, forgiving all his transgressions, pulling him out of the muddy puddle at each stumble, washing him, licking his scratched wounds so they heal faster, taking him into her lap and rocking him. He needs Marina's presence always, constantly - he demands it to a degree that is in some measure even egoistic.

"From now on I am the guarantor of your willpower. Your mother too, out of gratitude, attributes such abilities to me. This is the first time that her son, in the madness of intoxication, has come home of his own accord. I am the one and only, I will save you - I believe that. And out of naivety I accept this risky role."