Sorokin, who began writing in the 80's, was initially part of the conceptualists or "sots-artists," a group of mostly visual artists who sought to undermine Russia's sacred myths. In recent years, his (increasingly grotesque) writing has taken, among other things, 21st-century nationalism as its target. These books are not for the faint of heart, but if you are like me, you will want to keep reading out of respect for his audacity. If violence, explicit language, or brutal iconoclasm makes you uncomfortable, you should probably stay away from Sorokin's prose.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Sorokin after Sots-Art
The July issue of Open Letters Monthly has some great summer reading recommendations, and includes my thoughts on on Jamey Gambrell's translations of Vladimir Sorokin's Day of the Oprichnik and the Ice Trilogy.
Sorokin, who began writing in the 80's, was initially part of the conceptualists or "sots-artists," a group of mostly visual artists who sought to undermine Russia's sacred myths. In recent years, his (increasingly grotesque) writing has taken, among other things, 21st-century nationalism as its target. These books are not for the faint of heart, but if you are like me, you will want to keep reading out of respect for his audacity. If violence, explicit language, or brutal iconoclasm makes you uncomfortable, you should probably stay away from Sorokin's prose.
Sorokin, who began writing in the 80's, was initially part of the conceptualists or "sots-artists," a group of mostly visual artists who sought to undermine Russia's sacred myths. In recent years, his (increasingly grotesque) writing has taken, among other things, 21st-century nationalism as its target. These books are not for the faint of heart, but if you are like me, you will want to keep reading out of respect for his audacity. If violence, explicit language, or brutal iconoclasm makes you uncomfortable, you should probably stay away from Sorokin's prose.
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