Summary:
Like the previous book I read ([b:A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich|17450601|One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich|Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1407154526l/17450601._SY75_.jpg|838042]), the story takes place in the space of one day. It's 2028, but despite the futuristic technology life in Russia is looking very medieval. They live under the tyranny of His Majesty Nikolai Platonovich, who has brought back Ivan the Terrible's Oprichnina. The main character, Andrei Danilovich Komiaga, works as an Oprichnik and like his medieval counterparts spends his day raping, pillaging and killing.
Why I read it?
- I found this book on a list of "best contemporary Russian novels" and after reading the blurb I knew I had to give it a chance.
Why you should read it?
- Russian writers have become masters at subtly or not so subtly giving their governments a thorough tongue-lashing.
- Though written in 2006, time has proven (especially last year) that Sorokin makes some rather accurate predictions of what Russia will look like in 2028.
- The author is one of the most popular modern Russian writers.
- It's rather short!
Thoughts:
This book was hard to rate objectively. The main character is absolutely hateful. He treats torture, rape, and murder as just another Thursday. In the beginning, I questioned whether to keep reading or give myself a break. I could only keep at it by reminding myself that it is a satire, and we owe it to ourselves and our countries to see the terrible acts people are capable of when given too much power. Only that way we can stop it. The humor, craziness, and ingenious critique of despots with big personalities also helped to keep my engagement.