Lines of Fate
by Mark Kharitonov
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Description
A philosophical mystery novel populated with artists, criminals, and drug addicts, Lines of Fate is one of the most extraordinary novels to emerge from the last years of the Soviet Union. Written at the height of Gorbachev's power in 1985 but not published in Russian until 1992, the novel is a profound meditation on Russia's past and present, and a subtle examination of the crippling effects of Soviet power on the nation and on the Russian psyche. The story follows the young researcher Anton show more Lizavin's efforts to piece together a biography of the provincial writer Simeon Milashevich from the bits of candy wrappers Milashevich wrote on during the early period in Soviet history, when paper was scarce. As Lizavin becomes immersed in Milashevich's life (and presumed death), the two begin a metaphysical conversation across time, and the book becomes a kind of postmodern detective story, painting a broad, fascinating picture of Russian society throughout the century. Widely hailed in Europe as a new classic of modern Russian fiction, Lines of Fate is an exploration of the Russian soul in the grand tradition of Pasternak and Gogol. show lessTags
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Lines of Fate
- Original title
- Линия судьбы, или Сундучок Милашевича
- Original publication date
- 1994
Classifications
- Genres
- Fiction and Literature, General Fiction, Historical Fiction
- DDC/MDS
- 891.7344 — Literature & rhetoric Asian Literature East Indo-European and Celtic literatures Russian and East Slavic languages Russian fiction USSR 1917–1991 Late 20th century 1917–1991
- LCC
- PG3482.6 .H2654 .L5613 — Language and Literature Slavic languages and literatures. Baltic languages. Albanian language Slavic. Baltic. Albanian Russian literature Individual authors and works 1961-2000
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 56
- Popularity
- 545,258
- Rating
- (2.33)
- Languages
- Dutch, English, French, Russian
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 4
