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If I read a book that impresses me, I have to take myself firmly in hand before I mix with other people; otherwise they would think my mind rather queer. - Anne Frank

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Natalia Vasilyevna Krandievskaya-Tolstaya
(1888 - 1963)

Natalia Vasilyevna Krandievskaya-Tolstaya was a lyric poetess. She was born into a literary family in Moscow. Her father, Vasiliy Afanasievich Krandievsky published "Bulletin on Life and Literature", and her mother was a writer.

Natasha began writing poetry at age 7, and her first work was published at age 14. Her first collection of poetry, entitled "Poems", came out in 1913. In 1914, Natasha married A.N. Tolstoy. She devoted the next 20 years of her life to him, taking part in his artistic aims and interests. At that time she didn't write at all, as if her selfless devotion to her husband caused her to forget herself. It was not until 1934 that she created a libretto opera in verse entitled "Decembrists".

In 1935, Natalia and A.N. Tolstoy separated. The ensuing heartache caused the poetess to regain her "lyric voice" and write the poetic collection "Diary of a Heart".

Krandievskaya-Tolstaya's poetic style is deep, truthful, natural, and beautiful.