Day of the Oprichnik: A novel

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The author shows us aspects of the Russian character that are not usually known to outsiders, which makes this book endlessly fascinating. The way in which the Oprichniki pursue their own interests while constantly mouthing the language of Russian patriotism to justify their misdeeds satirizes the siloviki, the former secret police officials who enjoy much power and prestige in the Russia of Vladimir Putin. Towards the end of the day, the Oprichniki all sodomized one another, forming vast "human caterpillars" as thousands of men have sex with one another as part of the effort to form a collective identity. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice.

For further reading, see Charles Clover’s excellent in-depth analysis of Eurasianism in Black Wind, White Snow: The Rise of Russia’s New Nationalism ; Ian Kershaw’s comments on Putin’s “modern-day version of medieval feudalism” in Roller-Coaster: Europe, 1950-2017 ; and especially Gary Lachman’s Dark Star Rising: Magick and Power in the Age of Trump , a provocative study of the shared postmodern esoteric roots of alt-right US and Russian politics today. The bravura epic Ice trilogy chronicled the steady corruption of a group of “pure” Gnostic souls from outer space reborn in human bodies who ally themselves with successive autocratic Russian regimes to fulfill their single-minded goal of escaping this vile planet. Book burning, floggings, a dodgy trading deal with the Chinese, a visit to to a clairvoyant and similar activities keep our narrator occupied. He was a victim of them in 2002, when a pro-Putin youth group gathered in front of the Bolshoi Theater to demonstrate against an opera that Sorokin had written (as librettist).n+1 is a print and digital magazine of literature, culture, and politics published three times a year. The fascinating part is that these ideas walk hand-in-hand with visions of a Russian imperium that most American podcasters and members of Congress could safely ignore until February 24, when Putin invaded Ukraine.

When the people choose between two they feel calm, safe for tomorrow, they have no worries and are content. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Marijuana has been legalised in this Russia it "does no harm to a simple person, but helps him relax".

This is a day-in-the-life account of an Oprichnik, a secret policeman in Mother Russia’s near-future authoritarian re-dystopia. And so we follow Komiaga being woken by servants, anointed with gold dust, dressed in traditional finery, lavished with a traditional Russian breakfast, and selecting the best decapitated dog's head to mount on the front of his state-Red Mercedov, as he zooms down the government-use lane of the two-tiered highway on his way to work.