We all know we’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover (yet, publishing companies spend big bucks on cover design/art) (also, this has a great cover). But, the opening sentence(s)/paragraph(s) are fair game. So, when I stumble on a good opening (or remember one and pull it off the shelves), I’ll throw it up here. Dare you not to read the rest of the book.
from Everything is Normal: The Life and Times of a Soviet Kid by Sergey Grechishkin:
Anekdotn.: the most popular form of Soviet humor, a short story or dialogue with a punch line, often politically subversive. “Being simultaneously independent from and parasitically attached to mass cultural production and authoritative discourse, the anekdot served as a template for an alternative, satirical, reflexive, collective voice-over narration of the Soviet century.” Many of the anekdots under this book’s chapter headings were once punishable in the USSR by up to ten years of forced labor under article 58 of the criminal code (“ Anti-Soviet Propaganda”). This article was used freely to put critics of the Soviet government behind bars. Today, of course, things are very different in Russia. Now it’s article 282. |
Maybe it’s just given the subject matter, I was expecting something dreary or earnest or incredibly serious — or all three, but man, I cracked up at that last sentence. I tell you, my friends, this book is going to have to work for less than 4 stars from me at this point.
whatsnonfiction
I absolutely loved this book! It was so close to 5 stars for me. He takes what’s usually a grim and solemn subject and finds the humor in it. I was so charmed by it. And agreed – the cover is fantastic.
HCNewton
I keep writing in my notes about how funny something was — and then I realize that nope, that’s not really funny, it’s just a funny way of putting something tragic. He keeps sucking me in that way . . . not sure if I like him or want to kick him in the shins for it.