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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
Yes to this. The Slynx is a hallucinagenic romp (yes!) through Moscow of the far-future, but you knew that. More? It's incredibly concerned with books, and reading, so if you're into those things this might be quite interesting. More? Mice are used as currency. Mice. It's post-nuclear, and it's great. More? No. Just read the Slynx if you're looking for a recent dystopian novel, or a Russian dystopia, or a female-authored dystopia (I know it shouldn't matter, but there are still those hold outs who think it might), or really any kind of literary apocalyptic future tale-ish-likething. Do it...
Benedikt is like the personification of someone who misunderstood Occam’s razor. Every single conclusion he had was 70% there but then goes in the complete opposite direction.
It's been two days since I finished The Slynx, but I still feel it, clawing at my back. This novel is, much like a nightmare, haunting and bizarre; its humour and delicate irony, unrelenting — even at its darkest. Even though it's set in a dystopian future that recovers echoes of the Soviet regime, it's mythical in tone, and drinks straight from Russian folk tales. It is also a place where the human-animal boundary erodes; almost every person has earned a little animal something: a cockscomb, crow's feet, a tail.
The main character, Benedikt, is the common man. He lives life diligently, transcribing books he doesn't understand (attributed to the authoritative head of state, also credited with inventing the wheel, among other humble achievements) and catching mice to supplement his income. Old time books are thought to be carriers of disease.
However, a change of fortune causes Benedikt to rediscover books, and he comes to praise literature above all else: family, friends, loyalty, all other principles. Despite dedicating his all to books, his efforts do not make him any more knowledgeable nor empathetic. On the contrary, that which Benedikt seems to praise the most is the materiality of books (whether they will get wet, or someone will write on the pages). Reading The Iliad or a self-help book is much the same to him; he cannot derive figurative meaning, only literal, let alone grasp any abstract ideas from all his profuse readings. Having been raised blind in a corrupt and stupefied society, Benedikt does not have the tools to benefit from (or even understand) art.
No grotesque festival is complete without its straight man. Nikita Ivanich is a pre-dystopian survivor, determined to not die and to recover all of humanity's greatest achievements. No matter how gloomy, to be effective, every dystopia must carry a glimpse of hope. In The Slynx, hope doesn't come from youngsters, but from those who safeguard memory.
Multi-layered as it is, The Slynx makes for fertile literary archaeological ground. What one may find in this little box of delights is that which the scavenger has the critical ability of finding.
The main character, Benedikt, is the common man. He lives life diligently, transcribing books he doesn't understand (attributed to the authoritative head of state, also credited with inventing the wheel, among other humble achievements) and catching mice to supplement his income. Old time books are thought to be carriers of disease.
However, a change of fortune causes Benedikt to rediscover books, and he comes to praise literature above all else: family, friends, loyalty, all other principles. Despite dedicating his all to books, his efforts do not make him any more knowledgeable nor empathetic. On the contrary, that which Benedikt seems to praise the most is the materiality of books (whether they will get wet, or someone will write on the pages). Reading The Iliad or a self-help book is much the same to him; he cannot derive figurative meaning, only literal, let alone grasp any abstract ideas from all his profuse readings. Having been raised blind in a corrupt and stupefied society, Benedikt does not have the tools to benefit from (or even understand) art.
No grotesque festival is complete without its straight man. Nikita Ivanich is a pre-dystopian survivor, determined to not die and to recover all of humanity's greatest achievements. No matter how gloomy, to be effective, every dystopia must carry a glimpse of hope. In The Slynx, hope doesn't come from youngsters, but from those who safeguard memory.
Multi-layered as it is, The Slynx makes for fertile literary archaeological ground. What one may find in this little box of delights is that which the scavenger has the critical ability of finding.
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Extremely funny until you pause and left with cold void inside. “Haha it’s my country” read, the epitome of Harold the meme.
Not sure if non-Post-USSR readers can get into it, but the read is funny and light until it’s not. It left me speechless few times.
Not sure if non-Post-USSR readers can get into it, but the read is funny and light until it’s not. It left me speechless few times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Classism
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes