Nervous People and Other Satires

by Mikhail Zoshchenko

Book Overview

Typical targets of Zoshchenko's satire are the Soviet bureaucracy, crowded conditions in communal apartments, marital infidelities and the rapid turnover in marriage partners, and "the petty-bourgeois mode of life, with its adulterous episodes, lying, and similar nonsense." His devices are farcical complications, satiric understatement, humorous anachronisms, and an ironic contrast between high-flown sentiments and the down-to-earth reality of mercenary...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0253201926
• ISBN13: 9780253201928
• Release Date: October 1975
• Publisher: Indiana University Press
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 1.19 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Day-to-day notices of life in the 1920s--Soviet style

Not since Gogol have I found such a bizarre, zany narrative, and such a peculiar narrator! Here Zoshchenko's narrator takes us through vignettes of everyday Soviet life, mostly of the NEP period, praising everything and making a fool of himself at the same time. The intense humanity of his characters come through, even (especially) when they're rioting in their collective kitchen over a coveted kitchen utensil. Very nice reading and re-reading for years to come.

Satire at its Best

When I read Nervous People for a Russian Lit class I was overwhelmed by the absurd humor. There hasn't been a funnier, politically poignant and appealing satirist since Lewis Carrol or Jonathan Swift.Zoschenko etches out distinct parts of the Soviet landscape with hilarious spoofs, ridiculous characters and dark conclusions; Gogol would be proud.Despite the passing of time and demise of the Soviet Union the humor still survives. What's poking fun at Russians can easily be translated to the same for American government and bureaucracy.Admittedly this isn't for everyone. It's not all-age-encompassing like "Alice in Wonderland" or as current as PJ O'Rouke. Nevertheless it's worth a read for young and old adults.