🐛🐛🐛🐛

Although I try to not deep-dive too hard on one author at a time, one thing led to another and I read all four of the Sorokin books I own in quick bear-succession. I tried to write near-succession and my phone autocorrected to bear-succession (because it can see the bear on the cover??), proving yet again that AI is scary both in how right it can think it is and in how wrong it can actually be. 

Anyway, thinking you’re right when you’re dangerously wrong is fitting for this review, since it’s how I figure Sorokin means us to see main character Komiaga and his murderous, treacherous, pious actions done as an oprichnik, a brutal enforcer in the service of Russia’s government. Komiaga loves his country and believes his drugs, rape, murder and pillage to be done in “faith” to His Majesty. All in a day’s work! 

Men behaving badly in the name of service to God, country or king is nothing new. But this is Sorokin so you know it’s gonna get weird. And although this doesn’t go as buck crazy as some of his other work, it has its obscene horrendous moments. And some funny moments. And the best moments which are funny AND obscene AND horrendous. 🐛 

(I really hope someone knows why this emoji is here)

#2024books