Terror of the Oprichniki or Dictatorship of the Vampires?
Vladimir Sorokin and Viktor Pelevin Warn of Russia’s Future
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
After the unexpected collapse of the Soviet Union, the search is underway for the origins of the downfall and signs of a new rise. Apologetic representations of the past or warnings against the continuation of failed experiments are appearing in Russian literature. Particularly in vogue at present are anti-utopias (dystopias) whose authors make use of very unfamiliar depictions of social realities. Among the outstanding works of this genre are the new novels Den’ oprichnika by Vladimir Sorokin and Empire “V” by Viktor Pelevin.
(Osteuropa 10/2007, pp. 103–126)