Was there ever a path of historical development in which Russia became like this? No, this is fantasy. No such paths exist. Not the slightest chance. But how one would wish it… And is there perhaps something in this incredible story that modern Russia could usefully adopt?
A quality novel. Zlotnikov is a worthy continuer of the time-travel/progressive-intervention genre. Historically, everything is without serious blunders, without cheating; the hero faces real difficulties and overcomes them realistically, while all the good fortune of his undertakings is the assistance of a Higher power. Everything is sensible and life-affirming; of course, one could find fault, but why?