Rayna: An Insider-Outsider in the World of “Babushka”
Many readers have been captivated by the enigmatic character of Rayna Grigoreva, even though she’s a minor presence, appearing in just one chapter of the first volume of “Babushka.” This testament to her impact is intriguing. Her mere existence triggers a ripple effect throughout the narrative, leading to a series of coincidences culminating in our protagonist, Dunya, meeting Rayna’s twin, Serafim. While the book dives deep into political games and personal vendettas, Rayna’s subplot brings to the forefront the challenging rigidity of gender roles in society.
Rayna’s life was upended by her mother, Nina Grigoreva’s subversive decision to raise her as a woman. Grigoreva, Deputy Intelligence Chief to the Pra Matron-in-waiting, Tatyana Romanova, didn’t just act out of defiance. In a world where men, regardless of their lineage, face a life of servitude, she undertook this audacious gamble. Embodying the consuming love of a mother, Grigoreva orchestrated a car crash, reshuffled identities, and separated twins — a tangled web weaved to shield her children.
But the clandestine life of Rayna bears massive political weight. As Tatyana’s enemies strategize to undermine her Ascension, they see Grigoreva as their key. Exposing Rayna’s true identity could be their masterstroke to destabilize Gred’s political equilibrium. Beyond these machinations, Rayna remains a powerful symbol of the human experience — an insider in a world of women yet perpetually an outsider.
Martin Erlic is an olive oil producer and science fiction author from the Dalmatian coast of Croatia. In addition to running his family’s orchard and producing authentic Croatian olive oil, Martin has poured his love of Eastern European culture into his debut novel, Babushka: Echoes of Immortality. Set in a post-war metropolis where immortality reigns, the plot follows Doctor Anastasia Zakharovna through a web of power and deceit. When he’s not tending to his olive groves or writing, Martin can be found spending time with his family in their little village by the sea.
