About the Author
Andrey Platonov
ISBN 9781784879150
Rs. 1,438.4
Vintage Classics
Chevengur
Who it's for: Readers of experimental literature and Soviet history
Zakhar Pavlovich, a train mechanic who believes in industry's transformative power, adopts Sasha Dvanov, who embraces revolution as the force that will transform everything. Dvanov joins Stepan Kopionkin and his horse Strength of the Proletariat to cross the steppe in search of communism, encountering counter-revolutionaries, desperados, and visionaries. They reach the isolated town of Chevengur, where communism is believed achieved because everything that is not communism has been eliminated, yet even there the revolution recedes from sight. Why You Should Read? Theme: Explores revolutionary ardor and despair, the gap between utopian ideals and reality, and the transformation of language and life Significance: Considered by many as Russia's greatest novel of the 20th century, unpublished during Platonov's lifetime Ideal for: Readers who appreciate experimental literature, Soviet history, and philosophical explorations of revolution What stands out: Platonov's comic, ironic, grotesque, and disturbingly poetic language creates a profoundly sorrowful meditation on revolutionary transformation
Highlights
- Follows Sasha Dvanov and Stepan Kopionkin on a quest across the steppe
- Set in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution
- Explores the gap between utopian ideals and harsh reality
- Known for its comic, ironic, and poetic language
- Considered a major 20th-century Russian novel, unpublished in the author's lifetime
Themes
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Sign inQuestions about this book
What is the plot of Chevengur?
The novel follows Sasha Dvanov, adopted by train mechanic Zakhar Pavlovich, who joins Stepan Kopionkin to search for communism across the steppe. They encounter various characters and eventually reach the town of Chevengur, where communism is believed to have been achieved by eliminating everything non-communist.
Who are the main characters?
The main characters include Zakhar Pavlovich, a train mechanic; Sasha Dvanov, his adopted son; and Stepan Kopionkin, who rides a horse named Strength of the Proletariat.
What is the significance of the novel?
It is considered by many to be Russia's greatest novel of the 20th century. It was unpublished during Platonov's lifetime and is noted for its experimental style and philosophical depth.
What themes does the book explore?
The book explores revolutionary ardor and despair, the gap between utopian ideals and reality, and the transformation of language and life.
What is the writing style like?
Platonov's language is described as comic, ironic, grotesque, and disturbingly poetic, creating a sorrowful meditation on revolutionary transformation.