(Th)ings and (Th)oughts

by Alla Gorbunova, Elina Alter (Translator)

From a rising star of Russian literature, a collection of short stories that straddles the line between delight and horror. 


Twisting the art of the fairytale into something entirely her own, Alla Gorbunova’s Ings and Oughts is an endlessly inventive collection thematically-linked short prose. Divided by subject—romance, philosophy, fate—the stories in this collection turn a magical lens to bitter realities.

Genres: Short Stories, Russia, Fiction, Russian Literature

200 pages, Paperback

Published November 4, 2025

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this one is for the real short story lovers. They are each only around 3 pages long. How do you even come up with that many ideas!

This collection is very much steeped in fairytale and folklore and from the first page I was sucked in. There is an entire section just dedicated to one guy and his misadventures. That’s fun!

Look some of these hit better than others but overall I really enjoyed. I will always have a soft spot for a book that doesn’t take itself too seriously and this certainly doesn’t.

*read via Edelweiss

[Azelin · Rating 4 out of 5]

absolutely unrateable but i think there is pure unadulterated genius in this

[Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Translated Russian Flash Fiction

Review #1:
i (l)iked this (b)ook

Review #2:
Q -- Why does Alla Gorbunova make her stories so short?
A -- Because she was rushin

[Molly]

I loved it!

[Trevor Arrowood · Rating 2 out of 5]

This collection of stories sounded so interesting, but I was left quite disappointed. They’re all 1-5 pages long which leaves a lot unsaid. Short stories are obviously supposed to leave things unsaid, but these stories feel without true themes or morals at times. Some might say they’re surreal or absurd, but I thinks that’s a false appellation to me. It felt like the author had a lot of ideas they wanted to get down.
I am willing to say that a few stories were very good, especially toward the end. I felt like I was watching the author grow as the collection developed. But nonetheless, I was sadly disappointed by this collection.

[Garrett Mikulka · Rating 3 out of 5]

About a 3:4 star rating, rounded down.

The benefit of ultra short fiction is that one can, in theory, say a lot with a little by what is left unsaid. Many of these short pieces do this well. Very imaginative and a fun way of sending fairy tale style prose into (often but not always) darker and more modern territory.

The weakness of ultra short prose seems to be the same as its strength: far too many of these stories suggest a lot but leave unsaid what might have been better said. Many of these pieces just fall flat, jump to quickly to shocking conclusions to be enjoyed, suggest profundity without earning it.

My rating is more of a picture of proportional enjoyment rather than a blanket rating of the whole piece. Several of these stories were 5 star stories. Many were 4 or 3. But too many were 1 or 2 star stories.

It’s a quick read, and probably the good stories are worth the venture through the duller ones.

I would recommend.

[Brock · Rating 2 out of 5]

Steeped in a morbid yet jocular sensibility, Alla Gorbunova’s “(Th)ings and (Th)oughts” blends the bleak realities of everyday existence with amusing absurdities. Raised amid the remnants of the Soviet Union, Gorbunova’s award-winning poetry and inventive prose signal a new wave in contemporary Russian literature. However, her latest work, translated by Elina Alter, comprises mostly middling stories that remain conceptually stunted despite their potential.

The five-part collection opens with the whimsical story “Psychoanalysis in Hell,” narrated by a psychoanalyst who outlines her strategy for helping bewildered new inhabitants process their eternal, fiery predicament. She offers prudent advice to her stupefied patients, centered on acceptance and self-love:

“You can't stop being in Hell just because you want to. Don't expect sincere repentance to bring immediate deliverance. Do not resort to bargaining or legal reasoning. Stop gathering evidence to prove that you deserve something better than Hell. Humbly and meekly come to terms with whatever happens.”

This is followed by an equally comical story, “Biomass,” about a woman who has fallen in love with a man who quite literally possesses no soul. Unfortunately for readers, the remainder of this curated selection meanders through half-baked ideas and dull sketches.

Gorbunova’s jaded surrealism evokes a range of emotions—and occasionally entertains—but ultimately fails to leave a lasting impression. Each premise seems poised to take a profound leap or strike at the heart of a philosophical question, yet instead retreats or stalls in place. Stories like “Incidental Pleasures” flirt with a Pascalian notion of humanity’s diversion-seeking loop, while “Eternal Separation” brushes lightly against the anxiety-inducing fear of eternal nothingness after death; however, both narratives lack the boldness to move beyond the surface.

Despite the general lack of direction and originality that would warrant comparisons to Kharms or Bulgakov, a handful of diamonds in the rough reveal the Russian poet’s potential. Her prose displays a dazzling imagination—full of bizarre characters, jarring actions, and promising, humorous setups. In addition, later stories, such as “ἐκπύρωσις” and “Ghost Train,” impress with sentimental language and rich symbolism.

Alla Gorbunova’s short stories leave much to be desired, yet they showcase her elaborate creativity and lyrical prowess. I sense that her ceiling is higher than what this collection achieves, making her a promising talent worth watching.

[Max Eichelberger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my thing, reminiscent of Baron Munchausen (sp?) or perhaps the Taiga Syndrome.

I finished it watching the NBA Cup. Spurs against the Thunder. My wife told me not to help with the dishes. I don’t understand it but I feel like it helps her anxiety. Her mom acted frustrated if my wife didn’t help when she was a kid, now it causes distress when I do it.

Tomorrow we are going to celebrate Daniel’s birthday.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loooooooved this! Utter whimsy. Flash fiction for those with demands on their time, or a habit of inattentiveness.