Making War, Not Love

Library Journal

Draitser, who probed jokes about Russian minorities in Taking Penguins to the Movies, now analyzes jokes about women. Russia is still a patriarchal society, and women are often portrayed as stupid, weak, repulsive, and immoral. Yet they are also considered powerful enough to be blamed for male problems, especially male alcoholism and the resulting impotence. In one joke, for example, when a woman asks her husband whether he bought bread on his way home from the office, he indignantly declares that it isn't a man's business. When his wife retorts by urging him to do "the man's business" he panics, tells her she can't take a joke, and asks for the shopping bag. The collision between men's frustration and women's image and their actual roles are visible in the jokes, illustrating the combative reaction to economic and social difficulties now taking place in Russia. Recommended for Russian studies collections.--Bert Beynen, Des Moines Area Community Coll. Lib., IA Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Booknews

Analyzes the content of some 600 Russian jokes, proverbs, sayings, and popular rhymes, offering an insider's view on the sociological and psychological functions of Russian sexual folklore and the way it reflects relationships between men and women. Leaves no dirty joke untold in examination of such taboo subjects as adultery, impotence, and gender and violence. The author is professor of Russian at Hunter College of the City University of New York, and adjunct professor of New York University's School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)