Pathetic Symphony

The Kazakhstan Nina Vasilyevna makes her life story sound like a tearjerker; like a symphony full of pathos, as referred to by the title. Her brother was a talented violin player, but committed suicide at a young age by throwing himself under a train. Right before defending his dissertation, her father was unjustly charged with plagiarism and never got over the accusation. Nina, who is also inclined to melancholy, is now taking care of animals; her story is backed up by a choir of barking dogs, that actually manage to arouse some love and warmth in the despondent woman. However, Nina does not describe this care as a talent, but as a curse, brought forth by her ability to feel compassion and sympathy for others. It is an ability that has made her life fairly complicated. After all, fifty to one hundred and twenty helpless dogs yield nothing, and Nina has to get by on forty dollars a month.