A review by david_rhee
Soul: And Other Stories by Andrey Platonov

4.0

Soul is a short story collection penned by Andrey Platonov titled after the novella which is its centerpiece. Quickly noticeable is the hope cherished by the characters for a coming future warmed by comfort and riches. Countering this hope is the lurking knowledge that the day may either never come at all or not be shared by all. For this reason, Platonov's work was censored for its suggestion that communism might not be the greatest thing ever. Blended in a balanced matter in these stories are sadness, hardship, and silliness. Experiences range from tragic to heartwarming. The real treat of this volume is Soul which should be read last even though it appears first in the collection. It traces the spiritual journey of a man returning to his dwindling tribe in central Asia, approaching death as close as one can in order to find new life.