Nervous People, and Other Satires

Rating:
Summary: Day-to-day notices of life in the 1920s--Soviet style
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Satire at its Best
Review: 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.