The Faculty of Useless Things

In Yury Dombrovsky’s book “The Faculty of Useless Things,” the main character, Zybyn, devotes himself to culture. The novel is a continuation of “The Keeper of Antiquities” and examines the themes of betrayal, sacrifice, and execution. Zybyn remains unbroken and indomitable despite being arrested for anti-Soviet propaganda, attempting to escape abroad, and stealing gold. The book is placed on the same level as works such as “Master and Margarita” by M. Bulgakov and “Doctor Zhivago” by B. Pasternak. The author shows that after martyrs always come executioners, and explores the tragic intertwining of these concepts in our country.