Signed with their honour

Review about the novel “The diplomat”

Aldridge's struggle for peace is inextricably linked with his work. The novel "Diplomat" (1949), on which the author worked for four years, is convincing evidence of this.
In "Diplomat", the author, with great power, exposed the reactionary imperialist essence of England's foreign policy, revealed its treacherous, provocative methods, showed people who are executors of practical measures carried out in terms of this policy. At the same time, the author gave the image of an honest young English scientist McGregor, who accidentally ended up in the diplomatic service after the Second World War. Realizing the true goals of British diplomacy - the preparation of a new world war - McGregor breaks with diplomatic service and comes to the camp of peace activists. The author has used as a setting for the fictional characters of the novel to act, real historical events: the people's liberation movement in Iran, Azerbaijan after World War II and the establishment of a democratic government locality there, making certain democratic transitions. The reactionary government in Tehran waged a bitter struggle against the democrats. Britain and the United States came to the aid of Iran's response. ⁶
"And the rose fell on Azor's feet"... The perfect start to a love story in a romantic setting, everything is vaguely familiar (have you always thought that Azor was a dog's nickname? ?) And at the same time it's hard to feel, an era, a scene - everywhere there is only space and question marks. Another thing is Aldridge. Here, haste is pure specificity, in the characters there are real politicians like Molotov and Stalin, and the very name "Diplomat" puts us in an environment where it is completely easy to know. Secret conspiracies, social events, business trips and adventures - everything, just like in life, but in a more concentrated form. And yet - full of tense dialogues, polemics, countless political arguments, eloquence on both sides, however sometimes turned into overt demagogy. The confrontation of two characters, of two heroes is an ideal and irreconcilable conflict. Thus, Aldridge saturates the text of the novel with excellent dramaturgy, and the way the author knows how to interest the reader, keep him in suspense, is a definite merit of the author, an advantage that cannot be taken away from him. 840 pages in paper is truly a major work, but he did not tire me of either his lengths or the pamphlet character of the monologues. The book, of course, is very saturated with ideology, how not to admit. But since the writer aims to expose capitalism and shows with all his sympathies for Soviet Russia that it is not necessary to be a communist to be an honest person, the political line of the novel evokes a certain sympathy, and the author respects it. It is not easy to spit against the wind, and at all times the anti-liberal and anti-American text issued in the West will cause a lot of misunderstanding among critics of all stripes. Let's be fair, there are believers among them.
At one time, James Aldridge was not particularly popular and loved in bourgeois Europe, his pro-Soviet sympathies were evident. In the Soviet Union, the author's books were printed with great zeal. Today, this writer has become unreadable in Uzbekistan, most likely for the same specified reason. Times are changing... Although Aldridge was not a communist, his true principles and stance can only be seen in the novel "The Diplomat". But perhaps that's not the point, it's the fact that Aldridge's attitudes, thoughts, and messages are more relevant today than ever before, and that the events unfolding in the novel easily communicate with reality. nowadays. Times are changing, but not always for the better. “Diplomat” is a serious and somewhat heavy work about semantic content and the global themes evoked in it. The novel is set in the years after the Second World War, when the world is being redrawn and the powers on the "bloody ruins" begin to devise new strategies and weave diplomatic conspiracies to win the war. the biggest reward of the "new one". world. In the work, the two main characters are the villain - a brilliant British diplomat with an impeccable reputation, Lord Essex, and his assistant McGregor - an erudite paleontologist. Uncle, incidentally after the war, was discharged from the Department of Indian Affairs. It is these two heroes who are the complete embodiment of two opposing principles, two opposing views and, if more broadly, two political vectors. The confrontation and symbolism of these heroes are emphasized in the structure of the work. It is divided into two books, called "Essex" and "McGregor". The plot also involves the heroine - Katherine Clive, who not only connects the novel's emotional thread but also has a more conceptual role - it's like a thread connecting two left-handed heroes. opposite, but also budding. Who will she choose, who will be able to attract her to her side, what views will she adopt? This problem will only be solved in the last pages of the novel. The book "Essex" and the hero of Essex. The events take place in Moscow, the British diplomat arrives in Moscow with an important task: to convince Russia to withdraw its troops from Iranian Azerbaijan, where the revolution took place, Iran's centralized power has been destroyed by the populist party. subversive owner.⁷
The British government believes that it was the Russians who helped instigate the coup. All of Britain's fears, of course, were related to the oil it produced in the region, but, in order to maintain their influence, the British hardliners hid their reasons altogether. different for their "anxiety" (intervention in Iran's domestic business, the situation of its residents, etc.). Essex possessed a mastery of diplomatic receptions, moreover, he was too loyal to his government, fully supportive of his line and, of course, eager to achieve an outcome favorable to England. by all means, even in this case by resorting to cunning tricks. The entire operation of the first book is linked to the negotiations that Essex is carrying out with the Red Devils leadership. There are real historical figures here: Stalin, Molotov, Vyshinsky and others. In Moscow, the characters meet the embassy employee, Catherine Clive, a real British woman, aristocrat, confident and crazy. Essex confidently decides that he will take her to England and marry her, McGregor subconsciously falls in love with a young woman, but is unable to comprehend her markedly different behavior and closes his feelings. The book "McGregor" and the hero of McGregor. Not only does he not share Essex's views, but he openly opposes them. McGregor is a scientist, not a politician, but understands Iranian life very well, was born and raised in this country, then worked for the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. He loathed the deception of Britain's official position, which was masked by concern for the integrity of Iran, the welfare of its people, but was really only interested in the oil platforms. mine. Moreover, McGregor bitterly understood that it was in the British interest to see poverty, lack of culture and corruption reign in Iran. It's easier to control this country. In McGregor's book, the heroes, at Stalin's invitation, go to Iran's Azerbaijan to see for themselves what is happening there. This book is exceptionally vibrant and full of interesting characters, details, and descriptions. If in the first book Aldridge's intense attention to detail was a bit tiresome and seemed to lengthen the story, here it provides real pleasure. The author skillfully plunges into the unknown world of the East, helping to master it.
Take a closer look at the locals, walk through the unknown streets of the Iranian city, admire the incredible ethnic costumes, suddenly find yourself in the mountains of Kurdistan and discover a mysterious and beautiful place. as beautiful as Takht-i-Suleiman, the secrets of people are revealed by an earth angel - Cha Daud (and find out who the earth angel is), only to be horrified by the fanatical evil party of Tazia and imbued with oriental wisdom and a sense of humour. The end of the whole plot takes place in England, when the heroes arrive in their country. It was here that a decisive conflict of opinion took place - the truth about McGregor and Essex's allegiance. What will win in the end, whose side will the balance be? Will the world stop for a moment and consider the path it should choose in new times. History (I mean real world history) shows that Essex won. And all of Aldridge's fears (for example, about the role of America, which at the time only cleverly organized its networks) came true. But if you don't think about sadness, the book is very informative, it contains many cultural, historical and moral artifacts. I'm sure no one will regret reading it. Personally, I really like the way the author talks about the Orient. I look forward to what can be found in my work.
In June 1953, the World Peace Council awarded James Aldridge a gold medal for his novel The Diplomat. This proves the recognition of the world community for the great merits of this outstanding artist and peace fighter.

4.