Work · Simone de Beauvoir
Misunderstanding in Moscow
An aging couple travels to the Soviet Union and discovers, through an intimate misunderstanding, gaps between political expectations, desire and lived time.
Understanding the text
Written in the 1960s, published posthumously in a journal in 1992 and separately in 2013.
Key points
- 01
Communication
A long relationship does not guarantee emotional transparency.
- 02
Aging
Different rhythms and expectations alter what each person believes they share.
- 03
Politics
Travel disillusionment resonates with personal tensions without simply becoming their metaphor.
How to read it
Follow alternating perspectives before deciding which character understands the situation.
Editions & sources
- Consult the reference 1plato.stanford.edunew tab
- Consult the reference 2iep.utm.edunew tab
- Consult the reference 3gallimard.frnew tab
Summaries and key points are original editorial interpretations. They accompany reading the work and do not replace an edition of the text. Editorial method ↗