by Wladimir Sorokin
Russian literature is great. And there is a certain Russian tradition of writing.. tradition is not bad but easily turns into an unshakable expectation on the reader’s side. that the author is supposed to serve – putting him into a frame he cannot escape. Sorokin’s style breaks with that tradition. Firstly, he is disrespectful, in the dialogs trashy, explicit, fast and at least in this book very, very funny.
We follow the oprichnik during one of his workdays. His day is pretty packed with murders, rapes, black-mailing, drug consumption, orgies, and more murders. With some many things to do he will be pretty tired at the end of the day. The story is settled in a not so distant future in Russia. Russia walled itself against the world, a Tsar (aka Gossudar) with absolute power is again reigning and China is the most important partner. The absolute monarch uses the secret service, the oprichnina, to oppress, control an squeeze the society. Ordinary people do not really rebel because they seem to have a good enough life. Mostly the rich and the intellectuals are at risk. Does it sound familiar? Yes, it is more a book about Russia’s history and idiosyncrasy than about the future. You can it read as comment to current Russia under Putin.
The oprichnina was the first institutionalized secret service in Russia – established by Ivan the Terrible. A very funny scene is when the brotherhood of the oprichniki form a long chain and each one fucks the person in front of him. It is so hilarious and definitely not pornographic. Just hilarious.
We follow the oprichnik during one of his workdays. His day is pretty packed with murders, rapes, black-mailing, drug consumption, orgies, and more murders. With some many things to do he will be pretty tired at the end of the day. The story is settled in a not so distant future in Russia. Russia walled itself against the world, a Tsar (aka Gossudar) with absolute power is again reigning and China is the most important partner. The absolute monarch uses the secret service, the oprichnina, to oppress, control an squeeze the society. Ordinary people do not really rebel because they seem to have a good enough life. Mostly the rich and the intellectuals are at risk. Does it sound familiar? Yes, it is more a book about Russia’s history and idiosyncrasy than about the future. You can it read as comment to current Russia under Putin.
The oprichnina was the first institutionalized secret service in Russia – established by Ivan the Terrible. A very funny scene is when the brotherhood of the oprichniki form a long chain and each one fucks the person in front of him. It is so hilarious and definitely not pornographic. Just hilarious.
Facts:
English title: Oprichnik’s Day
Original title: День Опричника
Published: 2006
