Literature
Understanding Contemporary Russia Through Literature
Understanding Contemporary Russia Through Literature
Aftermath and Reflection: "The Enchanted Wanderer"
Have you ever tried to understand the complex and often tumultuous universe of contemporary Russia? The Enchanted Wanderer by Alexander Kirilyuk, better known as Alexander Leskov, offers a profound insight into the behavior and beliefs of today's Russian people. This novel resonates with the chaos and the stark realities faced during darker periods. Leskov's work is a sharp and exhaustive reflection of the Russian psyche, providing a visceral experience that can be both scary and disgusting. For instance, reading it feels like a journey to Bucha in March 2022, offering a grim and unflinching look into the disquieting aspects of societal beliefs and attitudes.Prognosticating the Future: "Day of the Oprichnik"
For those seeking to delve into the near future — a time fraught with unknowns and potential upheavals — "Day of the Oprichnik" by novelist Vladimir Sorokin is an essential read. This masterpiece blends the essence of today's Russia with a dystopian vision, painting a picture of what may be just a few years down the line. Sorokin's work is a masterful extrapolation of current trends and memes into the future, making the experience as exhilarating as it is alarming. **Quote:**"Victor Olegovich woke up, got out of the case, put on his narrow sunglasses, stood in front of the mirror, hammered a telluric nail in his head, put on his Mongolian robe, and entered the meditation room to spend 69 seconds meditating. On the top-level veranda of the restaurant "Peking" in a separate, darkened room, he ordered an empty plate with a fine ornament of golden-red dragons. Putting his own tail on the plate, he began to chew it slowly, but suddenly his thoughts were interrupted by a tiny sesame seed lying on a snow-white tablecloth."
Three Perspectives Triangulating Modern Russia
For a more accessible and intellectually engaging approach to understanding modern Russia, one might consider fiction as a medium. Academic books or non-fiction accounts, while rich, can be overwhelming and complex. Therefore, I suggest triangulating the perspectives with three carefully selected books. Tellúria by Vladimir Sorokin Sánkya by Zakhar Prilepin Rock Maple by Lena EltangHeavy-Duty Intellectual Probe: "Tellúria"
Vladimir Sorokin's Tellúria is a powerful intellectual probe into the future. This collection of vignettes, written in an absurdist and anti-utopian genre, reshapes enduring elements of Russia's imperial and Soviet past into brutalist scenes. Sorokin extrapolates current trends and memes into a dystopian future, offering both excitement and repulsion in equal measure. One of the vivid scenes features a character, Victor Olegovich, engaging in a ritual form of meditation or self-isolation, where he hammering a nail into his head symbolizes a deeply personal and unsettling moment. **Quote:**"Taking the black-crowned knife, Victor Olegovich cleaned out the mirror on the wall from the grey fog, smoothing it with a cloth, and stood naked in front of the mirror catching his breath. Screwed up, he lifted a tub with brackish water from the ground under the mirror and poured it into his head. Then, grabbing a telluric nail in his hand, and holding it up to the light, he began slowly to hammer it into his head, a good handstep in from the edge of the forehead. When the nail's head entered the skull and cracked the bone, a sickly, metallic taste of blood rose with the sweet smell of the buckwheat. Peel surrounded him."
Faux Counterculture: "Sánkya"
Zakhar Prilepin's Sánkya offers a modern, countercultural perspective. As a former National Bolshevik who criticizes modern society from the viewpoint of a disgruntled Stalinist, the author presents a unique and often controversial narrative. The story revolves around a young provincial rebel who navigates the gritty reality of Moscow, surrounded by urban guerillas and filled with rambling philosophical conversations. The narrative is rich with references to classical Russian literature, Russian history, and an undercurrent of post-Soviet cynicism. **Quote:**“Have some fun! — Venya laughed in satisfaction turning his head off to see how Oleg was setting fire to the building. — Have real fun Sanya! In the morning the bosses come to work and see the whole gang from the night shift sitting here in the pen. And everything is burned out. A pen with the men beside the ashes. How about that...”
Non-Combatants: "Rock Maple"
Lena Eltang's Rock Maple is an intellectual exercise in escapism, providing a literary tour de force. This book is written by a lady of letters who uses her vast imagination and wealth of literary techniques to distance herself from the political quagmire. Eltang's work is aimed at an educated and elite audience, offering a high literary experience with numerous overt and hidden references that enrich the narrative further. This form of escapism is particularly popular among younger generations who seek to shield their minds from the harsh realities of politics. **Quote:**p“Ancient gods, unlike mortals, knew how to quarrel, I thought obstinately holding my finger on the white button of the bell that looked like a piano key./p pTake the Sumerian Inanna, who, when raped by a gardener while she slept, got angry and turned all sources into blood so that even the trees oozed with blood and then went down to the underworld, appeared naked in front of her sister, and the sister knew nothing better than to kill her by hanging her up on a crook./p