One of the most respected reporters in Soviet and post-Soviet journalism, Pilar Bonet, born in Ibiza and long associated with a prominent newspaper, now in retirement, wrote an unusual and compelling book for readers eager to understand the fate of the republics and Russia under Vladimir Putin. He spent thirty-four years immersed in that reality, and his book reflects not only what he witnessed as a journalist but also what he learned through frequent interactions with people from all walks of life.
Written in the first person and enhanced by dialogues and firsthand accounts from individuals he has met personally, many of whom are kept under pseudonyms, The crash of the empire. Margin notes (Gutenberg Galaxy) captures the pain, silence, and mystery that define the lives of successive generations, a narrative in which a country battles with its own brotherly neighbor, Ukraine, as a central thread in the plot.
The author discussed the book at its Madrid launch, offering insights into the work and its aims.
A book written in the first person: the journalist observes events closely but is not present to tell everything?
The aim was to invite others to speak. It is the author’s duty to share personal experiences and the notes taken along the way.
Many of the people encountered remain in touch, sharing their stories long after the initial interviews. This continuity is crucial for reporting…
Sometimes personal bonds emerge, allowing conversations to go beyond standard Q&A, revealing more than usual.
Then, naturally, the book describes what it takes for others to be perceived through a first-person lens…
The author has been observing since 1984. Historical moments intertwine with private ones; having witnessed many events up close and met numerous people, the accumulated experience helps preserve an independent point of view. It remains uncolored by peers in prestigious media, and the author has consistently aimed to define reality in a direct, personal way. The relationships built with people stem from the certainty that what they share reflects the truth of the author’s narrative.
What about the lingering pain from the USSR to today’s Russia?
The fifteen former USSR members followed varied paths. Some sought self-definition, reinterpreting themselves and even reimagining aspects of their past as they pursued their own futures. They built identities and institutions that did not always fit the old imperial mold. In many cases, debates resembled family dynamics—the younger states challenging the elder, seeking autonomy, while others leaned toward decolonization. This was a shared quest: a global search and an individual search, aiming to carve out room for a state, a nation, or a people to act with sovereignty.
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There is a human touch in the reporting, alongside professional scrutiny…
For example, in the discussion about Ukraine, the most striking aspect is the sense of helplessness among ordinary people. The term orphans appears in the title because many lost their anchors under the pressure of war and displacement. Those left behind sometimes lack tools to assess their own situation, overwhelmed by events beyond their control. They align with whichever side seems to offer support, simply trying to survive.
“I don’t want to blame the West because blame is easy and often unhelpful. But it seems there was a failure to engage appropriately with these people.”
USSR, Russia… At first glance a mystery, now a narrative of pain…
Imagine being left without a country, without family, losing a job, and being cut off from siblings. Life in Russia shifted dramatically as technical roles transformed into new, often unexpected positions. The hope was that the West would guide the process; instead, missteps occurred. In hindsight, some compare these changes to the post‑colonial period in other nations. Time is needed to heal, and perhaps it will take longer than expected.
Perhaps a long time still…
Undeniably, there remains a desire among many to understand those who come from a familiar past and seek a future that seems out of reach.
What were the principal losses experienced by these countries?
Each country faced its own losses. Russia, for instance, endured the shift from being a global power to a regional actor, feeling sidelined and scrutinized by many as if the world were against it.
There is heightened sensitivity to propaganda on all sides. What is your current view?
Ukraine has become a major tragedy. The invasion caused immense suffering. The atrocities echo historical horrors, and the propaganda landscape complicates simple judgments. Many who initially supported certain leaders found themselves silenced by the scale of events, while a leader remains adept at hiding the full truth.
What impression does the book leave behind?
A sense of fatigue and intensity. The author wrote this from a personal space in Ibiza, wrestling with a flood of impressions as people faced bombardment. The experience was deeply emotional, and now there is a need to step back and observe more distantly. Those who lived through Ukraine faced trauma, but the author acknowledges the necessity of maintaining distance to tell the broader truth effectively.