Casual: A Novel

By Oksana Robski

Moscow's exclusive Rublyovka neighbourhood is the decadent playground of the Russian nouveau riche. Here, dachas come complete with steam baths, heated floors, and live-in masseurs; poodles are dyed... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060892641
• ISBN13: 9780060892647
• Release Date: June 2006
• Publisher: William Morrow
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.0" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

intriguing look at Russia's nouveau riche

She, Serge and their nine years old daughter lived the good life of the Russian nouveau riche in the upscale Rublyovka section of Moscow until her spouse was gunned down just outside their luxurious apartment. Stunned and grieving with no satisfaction from the police, who initially suspect her, the wealthy young widow is determined to maintain their high standard of living while also avenging the murder of her loved one. As she plans to keep the business running smoothly, she turns to Oleg, who can navigate places that the police would fear entering. She wants to hire him to find her husband's killer, whose composite picture she has seen at the police station and has previously met at the restaurant. However, she will soon learn more than she wants to know about how Moscow's ruthless business world operates; her late spouse's real trade; and especially Serge's darkest secrets. This is an intriguing look at Russia's nouveau riche especially those of high society who live in the exclusive Rublyovka neighborhood like Yeltsin. The story line is driven mostly by the lead female, but supported by her contacts with the upper class elite and the lower class minion as she works both sides of the street. Fans of deep dramas in which the locale is the star will enjoy this solid character study starring an affluent Russian woman with two divergent goals. Harriet Klausner

Sensational

Even though Casual is Oksana Robski's first novel, she proves her mastery, wit, and writing talent easily. Originally written in Russian and first published early in 2005, this book is about the elite of the Moscow society. It describes in minute details the life and intigues that go on among the residents of the posh Rublevo-Uspenskoe highway (a place where such people as former president Yeltsin own villas). It is a life filled with high-class cars, $50,000/day shopping sprees, vacations to Courchevel, houses with warming marble floors and dinners with caviar and Crystal. Although the book angered many Russians (probably for the sole reason that it described such an unattainable life and people who profit off others), it is written brilliantly. The original Russian version is extremely witty and shows how well Robski can use the language. The heroine of the book is a woman whose husband, a rich businessman, was just murdered. She is left with a posh estate, money, 9-year old child, and a bunch of questions about her husbands real life. As she tries to answer these questions and get over her grief, we learn about her attempts to establish her own business, the brutality of the Russian reality, relationships between "rich" and "poor" people, and her husbands little secrets. At first it might look like a snob wrote that book. Believe me, it is nothing like Paris Hilton's "All About Me" book. Robski is very insightful and seems to know a lot about life outside of Rublevka. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone - Russian or not. You will learn a lot about living large in Moscow. I would also recommend her other 2 books: Day of Happiness: Tomorrow and "Pro Ljuboff/on" ("About Loff/on")