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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
‘Could a bird be an accomplice of the kulaks?’
What a savage book. This is the kind of satire that bites—hard—and doesn’t let go. But perhaps, just perhaps, it pushes the absurdity a little too far. I think this would have been delightful as an absurdist play. As it stands, its irony is so thick, hysterical, and grotesque that it leaves little room for narrative, reflection, or description. Nastya is an amazing character, whose personality is conveyed entirely through dialogue (her ludicrous, Stalin-friendly tirades are extremely funny coming from the mouth of a little girl). And I adored the bear—mute, grizzled, and relentlessly hard-working. There is a lot to love in this novel. It is a passionate and insane creation, and I definitely appreciate its existence. However, it does feel a little overindulgent—like a delicious cake burdened with too many unreasonable disaccharides.
What a savage book. This is the kind of satire that bites—hard—and doesn’t let go. But perhaps, just perhaps, it pushes the absurdity a little too far. I think this would have been delightful as an absurdist play. As it stands, its irony is so thick, hysterical, and grotesque that it leaves little room for narrative, reflection, or description. Nastya is an amazing character, whose personality is conveyed entirely through dialogue (her ludicrous, Stalin-friendly tirades are extremely funny coming from the mouth of a little girl). And I adored the bear—mute, grizzled, and relentlessly hard-working. There is a lot to love in this novel. It is a passionate and insane creation, and I definitely appreciate its existence. However, it does feel a little overindulgent—like a delicious cake burdened with too many unreasonable disaccharides.
As an allegory, this works well, definitely well, after all this is an allegory /and/ a realistic narrative of the Soviet society right after they were finished with their first *dirty* work after the revolution (though only to continue in other kind of dirty works :þ).
The only down was that it wasn't as engaging as I thought it would be when I bought it :/ (though partly my fault I guess). Dunno, I had to drag myself through this novel.
The only down was that it wasn't as engaging as I thought it would be when I bought it :/ (though partly my fault I guess). Dunno, I had to drag myself through this novel.
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
It's a long time since I read this, I can still recommend it.
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Video review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsE4t0mFL68
challenging
reflective
sad
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
I came in to Soviet fiction expecting dry socialist novellas with concealed anti-regime sentiments. What I've found instead is inventive prose, surreal humour and the non-annoying form of magical realism. Foundation pit was a fantastic starting point
Read translation by Robert and Elizabeth Chandler and Olga Meerson
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a more modern take on the early 30's and the collectivisation of agriculture in the Soviet Union. Platonov looks at what happened from the point of view of true believers. Those who believe the revolution must be protected from counter revolutionary elements and that what ever the orders from the central authority must be carried out. Platonov looks at the misery this mind set creates and the humanity that flows along with misery. A thoughtful read.