The Crimson Pelican

Emperor Nicholas I applauded and laughed a lot during a performance of “The Government Inspector,” and as he was leaving his box he said: “Well, what a little play! Everyone got it, and I most of all!” Every schoolchild knows this episode. Anyone who considers himself clever, having read V. Voinovich’s “The Crimson Pelican,” will not laugh much, but will say: “Well, what a novel! Everyone got it, and I most of all!” And perhaps after that something in Russian life really will change for the better.