literature, there are notable examples such as Said
Ahmad’s biographical stories, Yuldosh
Shamsharov’s novel about Sufizoda, Yashin’s novel
dedicated to Hamza, and several significant works by
Naim Karimov, Shukur Khulmurzayev, and
Dadakhon Nuriy, which are considered good
examples of biographical novels, stories, and tales.
However, despite these works, the great potential of
this genre has not yet been fully realized. Very few
studies have been written about its genre
characteristics.
In this regard, readers who have read Irving
Stone’s works will be fully convinced of the immense
place, influence, and significance of this genre in the
new world literature. Irving Stone presents so many
astonishing examples from his creative laboratory
that it firmly establishes the idea that artistic research
is such a vast and beneficial endeavor. Irving Stone
vividly demonstrates the similarities and
distinguishing features between biography and
biographical novels, and between historical works
and biographical novels, through clear examples.
Therefore, you will be convinced once again of the
great work Ozod Sharafuddinov has done by
introducing us to this article.” (Gafurov, 387-388)
This claim has great importance. Biofiction
studies should develop in Uzbek criticism so that the
immense potential of the biographical genre can be
fully realized. Although there are notable examples of
biographical novels in Uzbek literature, the genre’s
full capabilities have yet to be explored.
Among small number of researches, my
comparative research The Peculiarities of the
Biographical Novel: A comparative study of
I.Stone’s, M.Qoriyev’s and N.Normatov’s works
(2018), I sought to find parallels between American
writer Irving Stone’s novels and Uzbek biographical
novels such as Avicenna (1995) by M. Qoriyev and
The Last Testament of Ruzi Choriev (2008) by N.
Normatov. F. Khajieva labeled these works as
biographical novels and aimed to highlight their
structural and stylistic similarities to demonstrate that
these works can confidently and prominently be
called biographical novels or biofiction.
But, my current focus is on the symbolic impact
of biofiction on the reader. While reading Nodir
Normatov’s The Last Testament of Ruzi Choriev, the
reader can perceive the Soviet and post-Soviet issues
of self-identity and national identity through the life
description of Ruzi Choriev.
So, What is the novel about? And Who is Ruzi
Choriev? The postmodern novel The Last Testament
of Ruzi Choriev describes the life and activities of a
prominent XX century Uzbek artist Ruzi Choriev,
throuth the lens of his friend and biographer Nodir
Normatov. Both came from the Surkahndarya, the
city in Southern Uzbekistan, bordering with
Afganistan, with picturesque landscape and typical
Uzbek mindset.
Ruzi Choriev was raised in an orphanage after
World War II, mostly by Russian teachers, and was
surrounded by a Soviet mindset, like many other
Uzbeks. He primarily spoke Russian and married a
Russian woman. His russified mentality, imbued with
socialistic ideology, made him very famous during
his lifetime, and he was loved by Uzbeks.
Normatov, the biographer of the artist, sought to
depict Choriev in his distinct writing style, which
embodies the Uzbek mentality and way of thinking.
In his literary works, Normatov portrays all
characters, including Choriev, as reflections of
typical Uzbek people, with their mannerisms and
peculiarities. Normatov’s Ruzi Choriev is a flexible,
generous, hardworking, hospitable, and kind-hearted
patriot like all other Uzbeks.
It is noteworthy to add that, after gaining
independence in 1991, Uzbeks began to search for
their national identity, history, and culture. Writers
centered their works around these themes, employing
various styles, themes, settings, and genres to
showcase national self-awareness. This trend is
evident in numerous literary works from the 1990s,
including The Last Testament of Ruzi Choriev.
The novel consists of myriads of fragmented
episodes. Among the events described
kaleidoscopically in the novel, there is a chapter
entitled A Wedding in Poshkhurd for a Film.
In the 1980s, a film about the artist Ruzi Choriev
was commissioned by Uzbektelefilm. Filming
coincided with the fasting period of Ramadan, and the
script required a wedding scene in the village. Due to
Ramadan, all weddings were postponed, posing a
problem for the director. But village people decided
to organize wedding for Ruzi Aka, but only after the
breaking of the fast.
The wedding drew a large crowd, with people
climbing walls and trees to participate. The bride and
groom sat in a place of honor, receiving blessings and
well-wishes. Ruzi Aka expressed his heartfelt wishes,
and the film director was pleased. After the wedding,
school principal remarked that everyone was happy
except for two people – the bride and groom. When
Ruzi Aka questioned this, it was explained that the
wedding was arranged for the film and the couple had
not completed the necessary religious and civil
ceremonies. Therefore, they had to return to their
homes. Another wedding would be arranged after
Ramadan.