2011 Global Reading Challenge Asia #2

    Vladimir Sorokin is not well known amongst American readers, but I think given some time that will change.  I've come to this conclusion after reading his latest work offered in English, Day of the Oprichnik: A Novel, his vision of a Russia nearly two decades from now in the year 2028 in which a new Monarch has arisen, taken the title of Tsar, and reinstated both the Draconian governance of Ivan The Terrible and  the Oprichnina, the secret police/death squads whose only task is to torture and murder dissidents.
    The story follows one of the Oprichnina, Oprichnik Andrei Danilovich Komiaga, through a 'normal' day.  One in which he and other Oprichniks kill a member of the court who has fallen out of favor, rape his wife, and burn his home to the ground, and thats just how the day starts.
    I saw in this book equal parts Kafka's paranoia of the total state, Orwell's technological 'big brother', and even a quality of Raoul Duke's 'Gonzo' hedonism amongst the Oprichnina.  This book left me with only one complaint, that I wanted to keep reading, and that goes to Sorokin's economical writing.  He didn't overindulge in his story and give too much or go too far.  That to me is the sign of a writer on top of his skills, so I will be reading more of his work.
    On a side note, and partially kind of sort of joking but not really, I'm surprised Putin hasn't 'disappeared' this guy already.  This book, while looking to a future of extremes, could be considered subversive and seen as critical of the modern Russian regime, which is known to sensor its press and artists and manipulate its economy.
    I highly recommend this book to all (adult) readers, as its not too 'big' in actual length or conceptual meaning, but has enough to offer for both the casual and serious readers.