Classic piece of modern Russian literature. Post-apocalyptic tale which will make you sad and crack you up again and again

I come with another book recommendation. The Slynx (Кысь), by Tatiana Tolstaya, published in 2000. Besides being related to Leo Tolstoy, Tolstaya is one of the foremost Russian novelists and this books is a certified classic. This is a post-apocalypsis story - more than 200 or 300 years has passed since the nuclear catastrophe and the society significantly degenerated. Tolstaya accomplishes an incredible feat as the whole book is written in an imagined archaic Russian language which bristles with humor on every page. Many people have mutations now and subsist mostly on mice. Some traits of this society come from Neolithic times, others - from Medieval period, but it also shares a lot with Soviet and post-Soviet autocracies with bureaucrats elevated to an unreachable hight. Even after the end of the world the same political arrangement survives. Quite a depressing commentary on modern times - as with all fantasy fiction this is an exaggerated version of reality. Yet, in the literally dark atmosphere of the novel (the society doesn't know how to make fire)there is some light. The fact that people, despite everything, on the whole are not miserable (life always goes on), is no consolation - they not only regressed by centuries and lost all cultural memory but also are entirely clueless and unbothered by it! And yet we discover that poetry survived amongst the darkness, as did a handful of old-timers who are 200+ years old who keep the culture from completely sinking into oblivion. The metaphor is too obvious -says you, an idea of a genius -says I. Will the barbarians be able to restore their previous culture, will that which remain help them to progress faster..? There is a lot of more that I wish to say. The bizarre world of the Slynx is the perfect scene for contemplations about the meaning of art, vicious ironies of history and an intense anxiety about moving in a very wrong direction at breakneck speed - which in 2026 is as clear as it can be.

Evelyn Waugh marathon

Evelyn Waugh is a celebrated English novelist famous for his stylistic polish . He is the annalist of the life of English high society and his portrayal of its representatives varies from ridicule to condemnation. And yet, it is obvious he is attached to these people, he knows them very well and is forever entertained by them. London aristocrats might be a wildly unsympathetic crowd, but they are unsympathetic in endless interesting ways! If you like witty writing, Waugh is an obvious pick for an unobliging yet enjoyable reading, but, as his novels present a string of wayward characters, mixing in various proportions charm and irresponsibility, there is a risk that you will adopt a rather relaxed view on life yourself. (Waugh characters go through different trials of life with an ease strange for someone with so little plot armour). In a limited dose, it might be helpful, but I have warned you!

I dare you to find someone with the same electrifying presence on screen than Daniel Day-Lewis in Age of Innocence. He can just stand there and look at someone attentively or shyly and I want to give him another Oscar. In his movies you just now that every slight movement has purpose and significance and you enjoy every glance and turn of the head. And guys, there are NO personal feelings AT ALL, it must be clear I am just an acting officionado!

Russian plays in a nutshell.

So often the cinematography alone is enough for a delightful movie experience. the movie: Black Narsiccus, 1947, directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.