The Light of a Gloomy Youth

This novella is part of Iskander’s distinctive triptych, which also includes “The Sea Scorpion” and the famous “A Man’s Parking Lot.” The fates of intellectuals—descendants of the residents of Chegem—in an odd and будто бы застиглому в часі that constructs a Soviet “reasonable man” from the wise man—such is the subject that interests the writer. The parts of this triptych were written at different times, so stylistic differences are obvious; yet the role chosen by the writer—an observer—always comes with sympathetic irony toward the time and the person stuck in its amber core.
Vasya from Mars