The Bear and the Nightingale

Video Plot Overview here:

Introduction

A gorgeous fairytale inspired by Russian folklore that lives up to and surpasses anything I could’ve hoped for this book to be. When people think of fairytales their mind probably conjures up ideas of poetic prose and flourishing descriptions describing fanciful images of majestic creatures and valiant heroes. 

Most who have actually read these fairytales quickly realized that they are often brief and inaccessible, and can often feel overly blunt or entirely absurd. Much of the magic of these oral tales is in the telling, and their translation onto page often leaves much to be desired when it comes to the actual writing. Furthermore, the figure of heroism painted in these tales, the cultural values that are stressed in their telling, and the meanings behind these stories are all reflections of the culture and society which the tale emerged from. 

That’s why mythology and folklore retellings offer such fertile ground for the construction of meaning, and to hold conversation with previously established ideas and concepts, returning to the source material to look at its construction from a critical view, with its commentary being updated for the modern world.

The story is about belief, what you give your belief grows stronger, and what you neglect withers. This book hosts a beautiful conversation around fear, spirituality, and religion. About what fuels your spirituality, and the importance of that. Not the form, but the essence. 

Regardless if you believe the world to be made up of a symbiotic network of spirits, the grand project of some great creator, or merely came here as a consequence of time and pressure, what is important is the importance that this shows to respecting the natural world and our relationship to it. What is sacred is life, and that life is sustained through a symbiosis of care-giving rituals with the world that sustains life. A reminder that we are a part of it, and it is a part of us. This sensation of connection is spirituality. Religion is then the codification of these rituals to be passed down through the generations to make sure these relationships are maintained. 

As an African-American, spirituality has played a large role in my life in both a large and smaller context. To speak just of the larger context though, Christianity has been a major influence on the African American community in both positive and negative aspects. In many instances, it was used as a means of subjugation and degradation meant to forcefully replace whatever spiritual worldviews that were previously held, given to us to kill our spirits, and justify our abuse. 

In that same breath, our need for spirituality often resulted in instances of religious synchronicity that saw the survival of our ability to connect to something beyond the world around us, and now the rituals of Christianity are how many African-Americans know how to connect with their spirituality. Churches were also instrumental in the Underground Railroad, and they have always been vessels of community power, the greatest leverage that African Americans have had historically. As someone who grew up outside of the church, growing up, aware of other faces of God, and, it was hard for me to reckon with what I felt Christianity meant for black people through the years. A capsule of hope, and a force to pacify. A tool for organizing and resistance, as well as misleading and exploitation.

As I got older, I learned that regardless if God is a singular being, collective of entities, ubiquitous or omnipotent power that chooses its subject, that matters far less than what we as humans choose our gods, to what we devote our time to worshipping. 

The god you choose has to do with what you believe it offers you: confirmation of your theories on the world, a feeling of security or purpose, an explanation to a question or feeling you held your whole life, maybe all of the above or something else entirely. This is why there are more belief systems than stars in the galaxy, and more still of the fractal satellite religions and anti-religions that spawn from those, each one attempting to tread the asymptote closer and closer to the meaning of life. 

As a result of this, I started to look beyond the cardboard marketing that serves as the faces for most religions, and instead just ask people about their personal relationship to their idea of God or the movement of the universe. Regardless of what the cosmically correct answer is, if such a thing could even exist, a person’s belief in that outlook directly impacts the world as it governs the way they behave.

This is all to say that spirituality contains within it the power of our belief, and what the people ultimately worshipped in their following of Konstantin, was fear, and that fear ate away at the community, tearing it apart socially and spiritually. His lessons taught them to fear and hate each other and to disrespect the world they relied on to survive. 

This book also speaks to the reality that charisma is often confused with competence and the importance of differentiating the two. This cautionary tale is embodied in the character of Konstantin and the way he is able to mislead people into believing him to possess holy powers and insight as a result of his very earthly beauty, and the beauty of the art he produced. Art is propaganda whether it wishes to be or not, because art carries with it a message, and the effect of art is to inspire emotion in people. Though Konstantin’s charisma may seem a thin thing to inspire such devotion, it isn’t far from real-world figures and the methods they use to craft a following around them regardless of the validity of their message or character. 

Since we are on the topic of Konstantin, we should also talk about the discussion that this book also has about desire and patriarchy. As has been the case with a couple of other books that I’ve read in recent years, this book discusses the ways in which patriarchy can often instill values within men that harm them, and how instead of addressing that hurt, they can often transfer that misery to the women around them that they feel are naturally within their realm of power.

Because Christianity has such a deeply patriarchal culture, we can see a parallel drawn here in the way that attitude can often express itself in the way that men view women, both within and outside of religion. Just in the same way that Christianity did not create Konstantin’s egoistic self-veneration, it became a vessel for him to explain to himself and others why he deserved the life it afforded him, the Christian principle of women coming from the body of man, of being made to complete and aid him, women have frequently been viewed as auxiliary existences to the needs of men rather than their own autonomous beings. 

Taking this further, Konstantin’s obsession with Vasya provides commentary on the ways in which the pain he experiences as a result of his sexual repression, expresses itself as a spite to those who do not suffer or experience hardship as a result of them not imposing the same restrictions on themselves. Vasya’s identity as a woman worsens this effect for Konstantin because of the rage and shame he feels towards himself for his attraction to her, which translates into hate of Vasya herself, blaming her for tempting him, and putting it within his responsibilities to “correct” her. 

This book is such a gorgeous experience and I enjoyed every moment of reading it! If you are a fan of Russian folklore, fairytales, or just a fun and well-crafted tale to read by the hearth, this is definitely a great choice! It has much to offer in the way of both entertainment and message, and I have high hopes for its sequel.

New Words and Concepts

Adamant (n)

A legendary rock or mineral to which many, often contradictory, properties were attributed, formerly associated with diamond or lodestone.

Asperity

Harshness or severity in tone, manner, or attitude.

Baba Yaga

A prominent figure in Slavic folklore, Baba Yaga is a supernatural being or witch who is often depicted as an old, frightening woman. She lives in a hut that stands on chicken legs and serves as a guardian of the forest. Baba Yaga is known for her dual nature as both a villain and a wise figure who can offer help or challenges.

Bannik

A Slavic bathhouse spirit.

Bast Shoes

Traditional footwear made from linden bark (bast) woven into a simple, flat shape. Bast shoes were commonly worn by peasants in Russia and Eastern Europe due to their affordability and practicality.

Batyushka

A term of endearment and respect in Russian, meaning "little father." It is often used to address Orthodox priests or, historically, as a respectful way to refer to a paternal figure or a nobleman.

Bogatyr

Legendary warriors or knights in Russian and Slavic epic tales (byliny). Bogatyrs are heroic figures known for their strength, courage, and loyalty, often compared to Western knights or heroes like King Arthur’s knights.

Bolotnik

A spirit or creature in Slavic mythology associated with marshes and swamps. Bolotniks are often depicted as malevolent beings who lure travelers to their doom in the bogs.

Boyar

A member of the old aristocracy in Russia, below the ruling princes.

Buran

A powerful snowstorm or blizzard characteristic of the steppes of Russia and Central Asia. It is known for its intense winds and heavy snowfall, making it a significant weather phenomenon in those regions.

Buyan

A mythical island in Russian folklore, often described as a place of magical happenings. It is said to appear and disappear at will and is home to powerful objects, such as the needle containing Koschei the Deathless's soul.

Carom

To strike and rebound, often used in billiards or to describe glancing impacts.

Chaffering

Bargaining or haggling over terms or prices.

Chyetri

Slavic term often referring to “four,” but used in specific cultural or symbolic contexts.

Curvetting

Performing leaps or bounds, especially as a horse.

Devochka/Devushka

Russian for “young woman.”

Dneiper

One of the major rivers in Europe, flowing through Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.

Dochka

Daughter.

Durak

A Russian word meaning "fool" or "idiot," often used as an insult. Beyond its literal meaning, Durak is also the name of a popular Russian card game. In the game, the objective is to avoid being the last player holding cards, as that player is humorously labeled the "durak" (fool).

Distaff

A tool used in spinning; symbolically refers to the female side of a family.

Dvor

A courtyard or enclosure; in Russia, it can refer to the royal court.

Dvorovoi

A domestic spirit in Slavic folklore, akin to the domovoi (house spirit) but associated with the yard or courtyard of a household. The dvorovoi could either protect or trouble the inhabitants depending on their behavior.

Dvoryanye

The noble class in pre-revolutionary Russia. They held land and often served in administrative, military, or court roles. The term reflects their privileged status in Russian society under the tsarist regime.

Ecumenical Patriarch

The title of the Archbishop of Constantinople, who is considered the "first among equals" in the Eastern Orthodox Church. The Ecumenical Patriarch has a primacy of honor and is a spiritual leader for Orthodox Christians worldwide.

Gainsaying

Denying or contradicting a statement.

Godusar

An old term for a sovereign or ruler.

Gobbet

A small piece or lump, often of food.

Gospodin

A formal term of respect in Russian, equivalent to "Mister" or "Sir." Historically, it could also mean "lord" or "master."

Guzla

A traditional single-stringed musical instrument from the Balkans.

Hauteur

Arrogance or disdainful pride.

Hoyden

A high-spirited, boisterous girl or woman.

Iconostasis

A wall or screen in Eastern Orthodox churches that separates the nave from the sanctuary. It is adorned with icons and serves as a visual and symbolic barrier between the earthly congregation and the holy altar space.

Imprecation

A spoken curse.

Izba

A traditional Russian wooden house or hut.

Kasha

A traditional Slavic dish made from boiled grains such as buckwheat, oats, or millet. It can be served plain, sweet, or savory and is a staple food in Russian cuisine.

Kaschei the Deathless

A figure in Slavic folklore known for his immortality and evil magic.

Karachun / Morozko

A Slavic winter spirit or demon associated with cold and death.

Kokoshnik

A traditional Russian headdress worn by women, particularly during festive occasions. It is semicircular or pointed in shape and often elaborately decorated with embroidery or jewels.

Kremlin

A fortified complex found in many historic Russian cities, most famously in Moscow. The Moscow Kremlin serves as the seat of the Russian government and is a symbol of Russian political power and history.

Kvas

A traditional fermented Slavic beverage made from rye bread. Kvas has a low alcohol content and a slightly sour, tangy taste, often consumed as a refreshing drink.

Lesnaya Zemlya

Translates to “Forest Land,” often referring to wild, forested areas.

Leshy

A forest spirit in Slavic mythology, guardian of the forest and its creatures.

Lesovik

Another term for a forest spirit, akin to Leshy.

Medved

Russian for “bear.”

Moil

To work hard or laboriously.

Molodets

Russian term meaning “bravo” or used to praise someone’s efforts.

Mysh

The Russian word for "mouse." In folklore, mice often appear as symbolic creatures, sometimes embodying stealth or vulnerability.

Narthex

An architectural element of early Christian churches, serving as a lobby area.

Ogon

The Russian word for "fire." Fire holds significant symbolic and practical importance in Slavic culture, representing life, warmth, and destruction.

Perforce

Used to express necessity or inevitability.

Podnsnezhniki

“Snowdrops,” a type of early-spring flowering plant in Russia.

Polevik

A Slavic field spirit, associated with open plains and meadows.

Sarafan

A traditional Russian dress, typically sleeveless.

Sable

A small carnivorous mammal with dark fur, highly valued in Russia for its pelts.

Synok

Russian for “little son” or “sonny.”

Tartars

A Turkic-speaking people who live mainly in Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

Tench

A freshwater fish common in European waters.

Tsargrad

An old Russian name for Constantinople, meaning “City of the Tsar.”

Upyr

A vampire or ghoul in Slavic folklore.

Vazila

A protective household spirit in Slavic folklore.

Vedma

A witch or sorceress in Russian folklore.

Vim

Energy or enthusiasm.

Vodianoy

A water spirit in Slavic mythology, often depicted as an old man who lives in rivers or lakes.