The Genius Under the Table by Eugene Yelchin – Book Review

Title: The Genius Under the Table Author: Eugene Yelchin Publisher: Candlewick Press Release Date: October 12, 2021

The Genius Under the Table is an insightful and jarring memoir of author Eugene Yelchin’s experiences growing up in the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Yevgeny and his family live in a small, cramped apartment with a KGB spy next door. Amidst this backdrop, Yevgeny really struggles to discover some talent that must be hidden deep within, especially because talent is what seems to keep people safe. While his brother’s talent for figure skating protects him, Yevgeny makes his own effort to please his parents. The one joy of Yevgeny’s life, doodling on the underside of their table, just might be the key.

The Genius Under the Table provides a fresh perspective about life behind the Iron Curtain. It is not directly focused on the peril posed by the KGB or efforts to imagine, talk about, or live life beyond the Cold War wall. Those dangers remain on the periphery, and this omnipresent cloud shades all aspects of the memoir, especially for those that have some understanding about the time and place. The story effectively portrays contrasts in that context. It is funny, and funny can be threatening. It is honest, and honesty can get a person jailed. It is a perplexing world, and misunderstanding can be dangerous. Simply told, though, Yelchin’s The Genius Under the Table is a powerful memoir. Educators will find immense value across its pages, from doodles to the descriptive language and the history embedded within. In fact, it can be a valuable companion to a Cold War study or Soviet Bloc study, as it will surely offer a few laughs or brief moments of levity to counter the weight that comes from examining such a serious and dangerous time period.

Thank you to Edelweiss+ and publisher, Candlewick Press, for an eARC of this book.

Classroom Applications

• Cross-curricular Study – Teach the novel in conjunction with a History unit about life in Soviet Union and Soviet Bloc during the Cold War.
• Literature Circles – Use novel for small groups or choice reading with a variety of books that focus on the cold War.
• Book Club or Book Exchange – Share the novel with students that enjoy reading historical fiction.

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

• Cold War
• Soviet Bloc
• Life in the Soviet Union

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with The Genius Under the Table. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

• The Story That Cannot Be Told by J. Kasper Kramer (Nonfiction Connections, Character Connections, Themes)
• Fallout by Steve Sheinkin (Nonfiction Connections, Themes)
• Night Divided by Jennifer Nielsen (Nonfiction Connections, Character Connections, Themes)
• A Boy Is Not a Bird by Edeet Ravel (Nonfiction Connections, Character Connections, Themes)

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