Myth
There is an urban legend that Joseph Stalin was an illegitimate son of Nikolai Przhevalski. The legend is supported by the broadly similar appearance of both men. However, Przhevalsky's visits to Georgia are not recorded. A humorously developed version of this legend appears in Book Three of Vladimir Voinovich — The Life and Extraordinary Adventures of Private Ivan Chonkin.
Read more about this topic: Nikolay Przhevalsky
Famous quotes containing the word myth:
“One of the oddest features of western Christianized culture is its ready acceptance of the myth of the stable family and the happy marriage. We have been taught to accept the myth not as an heroic ideal, something good, brave, and nearly impossible to fulfil, but as the very fibre of normal life. Given most families and most marriages, the belief seems admirable but foolhardy.”
—Jonathan Raban (b. 1942)
“Two myths must be shattered: that of the evil stepparent . . . and the myth of instant love, which places unrealistic demands on all members of the blended family. . . . Between the two opposing myths lies reality. The recognition of reality is, I believe, the most important step toward the building of a successful second family.”
—Claire Berman (20th century)
“By blood we live, the hot, the cold,
To ravage and redeem the world:
There is no bloodless myth will hold.”
—Geoffrey Hill (b. 1932)