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The Dream Life of Sukhanov (2005)

by Olga Grushin

Other authors: See the other authors section.

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
6023138,798 (3.87)112
Olga Grushin's astonishing literary debut has won her comparisons with everyone from Gogol to Nabokov. A virtuoso study in betrayal and its consequences, it explores--really, colonizes--the consciousness of Anatoly Sukhanov, who many years before abandoned the precarious existence of an underground artist for the perks of a Soviet apparatchik. But, at the age of 56, his perfect life is suddenly disintegrating. Buried dreams return to haunt him. New political alignments threaten to undo him. Vaulting effortlessly from the real to the surreal and from privilege to paranoia, The Dream Life of Sukhanov is a darkly funny, demonically entertaining novel.… (more)
  1. 10
    Time Regained by Marcel Proust (DLSmithies)
    DLSmithies: Just because I found myself reminded, as Sukhanov's past envelops him, of that amazing moment in Proust when he trips over the paving slab and right there, standing outside the party, has his epiphany about time.
  2. 00
    Disunity by Anatoly Kudryavitsky (spiphany)
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» See also 112 mentions

English (29)  French (1)  Dutch (1)  All languages (31)
Showing 1-5 of 29 (next | show all)
Anatoly Sukhanov is a Soviet apparatchik, editor of Moscow's Art of the World magazine and author of such Party-approved works as "Surrealism and other Western "Isms" as Manifestations of Capitalist Insolvency". As the novel begins, in a Soviet Union shortly after the ascension of Gorbachev, he is simply another soulless Soviet official ready to be mocked and condemned by another Russian novelist. As the novel unfolds, however, that is not what happens. As glasnost begins to thaw the political environment around him, Sukhanov's past, which he has long frozen out of his consciousness, also thaws and bubbles up first through his dreams, then takes over his waking life as he suffers what appears to be a nervous breakdown.

Grushin's novel ultimately raises interesting questions. In a totalitarian society, is it more admirable to stay true to yourself, or to do what you must to provide for those you love? If it is admirable to risk severe hardship for your ideals, does that remain the case when your family shares your fate with you? And what cost can those choices exact?

A very good book, especially if you have an interest in art and Russia. ( )
  lelandleslie | Feb 24, 2024 |

.....Much later after finishing this wonderful book.

I did talk a few people into reading this. The first, Margaret, who has read many, many books over the decades immediately declared that she could call it the best book she's ever read too. Phew. I was afraid I was not overselling it, but creating a situation where expectation could not equal experience.

The review is here, unchanged since I first put it on GR:

https://alittleteaalittlechat.wordpress.com/2015/07/01/the-dream-life-of-sukhano... ( )
  bringbackbooks | Jun 16, 2020 |

.....Much later after finishing this wonderful book.

I did talk a few people into reading this. The first, Margaret, who has read many, many books over the decades immediately declared that she could call it the best book she's ever read too. Phew. I was afraid I was not overselling it, but creating a situation where expectation could not equal experience.

The review is here, unchanged since I first put it on GR:

https://alittleteaalittlechat.wordpress.com/2015/07/01/the-dream-life-of-sukhano... ( )
  bringbackbooks | Jun 16, 2020 |
This is one the best books I have ever read. The author writes incredibly well and has the sensibility of a nihilist 19th century writer so much so that I cannot believe Grushin is a young American writer. The story is about a middle aged man contending with a crisis of conscious because of decisions made as a result of his life during the politically tumultuous time of Russia from the 1930s to 1980s. What I found particularly engaging is that the author did not present or lean to what could be perceived as the right life choices, but that really everyone tries to do the right thing, to cope the best they can even though, ultimately, after the test of time, it is perceived that the wrong decision was made.
I cannot recommend this book enough and I hope that you enjoy reading it as much as I did! ( )
  EvaJanczaruk | May 31, 2020 |
The story is very captivating and thought provoking. The reader has to pay attention and will be well rewarded for their effort! More impressive is the absolute beauty of Grushin's writing. I often stopped to reread a stunning phrase or paragraph! ( )
1 vote Rdra1962 | Aug 1, 2018 |
Showing 1-5 of 29 (next | show all)
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» Add other authors (4 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Olga Grushinprimary authorall editionscalculated
Clarke, MickCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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Epigraph
Information from the Dutch Common Knowledge. Edit to localize it to your language.
I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing; not knowing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked.

REVELATION 3:15-17
Dedication
Information from the Dutch Common Knowledge. Edit to localize it to your language.
To my parents
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"Stop here," said Anatoly Pavlovich Sukhanov from the backseat, addressing the pair of suede gloves on the steering wheel.
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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Wikipedia in English (1)

Olga Grushin's astonishing literary debut has won her comparisons with everyone from Gogol to Nabokov. A virtuoso study in betrayal and its consequences, it explores--really, colonizes--the consciousness of Anatoly Sukhanov, who many years before abandoned the precarious existence of an underground artist for the perks of a Soviet apparatchik. But, at the age of 56, his perfect life is suddenly disintegrating. Buried dreams return to haunt him. New political alignments threaten to undo him. Vaulting effortlessly from the real to the surreal and from privilege to paranoia, The Dream Life of Sukhanov is a darkly funny, demonically entertaining novel.

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