I read this book as a result of a recommendation by my homey Akita in the PKD hangout, who brought it up in the “What we are reading?” loose discussion. I was sold when I heard that Putin Loyalists hated the shit out of this one. They didn’t burn the books but it appears they shredded them publically and threw them in a giant toilet. This subtle protest was inspired by some controversial moments in the novel, like Stalin doing the dirty with Khruschev. Well clones of the former Russian leaders, clones or not, this novel has the former Russian heads of state banging was too much. In our culture, writing a sodomy scene is not exactly seen as bravery, but let's face it - that is what it was.
I think before Sorokinś post modern surrealist novels were hardly getting notice. Post Modern and Dystopian are things this novel is called, but come on now, it is science fiction too. The story of a lab where the greats of Russian history are brought back to life in very well-made clones. I feel a lot of the weirdest and humor was lost on me as I don't know Russian culture or literature, as it seems you might want to know.
While I didn’t love this novel, Sorokin fascinates me. This is a weird and nearly formless novel, that jumps between languages which made me think about the translation process more than I would have liked. I think the novel is commenting on the Chinese influence over the Russian future.
“Fan Fei is a cheerful man from Shanghai of about your age. He speaks impeccably in both Old and New Russian. It’s obvious that this great zhuan men jia is getting along nicely in gen-eng (the L-harmony of his gait is more than 60 units on the Schneider scale). I discussed the dominance of Chinese blockbusters with him. He couldn’t care less about tuding, of course—But you really are a huaidan, ni ma de.’ “
While these are very interesting moments of storytelling, it must have been hell on the translator. Russianites and Chinese influence in Easten Russia is subtle early in the novel, but as the future elements unfold we get a little more…
“Please don’t use Russcenities like that in my presence,” I said as I scanned him.
“You’re a danhuang?” he asked.
“I’m a danhuang,” I replied.
“Jiu jing nin shenme shi hou neng zhun bei hao ni?” Bochvar bared his nacreous teeth.
“Tchu nian xing tchi ri xia yu shi,” I lit up.”
The idea that there were these important Russian writers cloned and brought back to life was interesting…
"Dostoevsky-2. An individual of indeterminate gender, medium height, with a pathology of the rib cage (it sticks out like a fin) and of the face (the temporal bone is fused with the nose in the shape of a saw handle)." So these Russian writers and leaders brought back in labs are probably very subversive and funny in the satire that mostly goes over my head. I didn't love this book but I enjoyed it enough, and I am curious about Sorokin and his other work.
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