The Makepeace Experiment

by Andrei Sinyavsky, Manya Harari (Translator), Abram Tertz (pseudonym)

Lenny Makepeace uses magic and propaganda to lead Russia to a Marxist utopia.

Genres: Fiction, Russia, Novels, Russian Literature, 20th Century

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1963

About the author

Andrei Donatovich Sinyavsky was a Russian writer and a literary critic. He was a Soviet dissident known as a defendant in the Sinyavsky–Daniel trial of 1965.

Russian: Андрей Донатович Синявский
Pen name: Абрам Терц
Pen name in English: Abram Tertz

Reviews

[Jamie Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this satire a lot, it’s pretty funny, although I think a lot of the satire of Russian politics went over my head. Would’ve gave a 3.5, it’s a short read and I’m interested in hearing more about Andrei.
The best thing about this book comes when Lenny is revolutionising Lyubimov and I would’ve liked to have seen this taken an extra couple of steps, but I like the conclusion of profezarnov wanting to do it all again. The footnotes from ‘the ghost of Samson’ are entertaining and bring something different to the read.

[Saskia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It should be read and reread with Stalin and the author-trials in the back of ones head.
Its a political novel without the speeches and philosophies, it doesn't make statements, it shóws. Very impressive layering and obfuscation of the story by exaggerations and lyrical tributes to the personality cult, that aren't recognized by an ordinary western reader with limited knowledge of Russia at first.

[André Costa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short book, without much depth of the characters, but immensely humourous. Decided to read it given Dr Rowan Williams' suggestion in BBC's Newscast as a way to understand Russia and why the Ukrainian war is happening. Thought not terribly insightful, it does provide some interesting perspectives on Russia and the communist utopia. Mostly, the quirkiness of the characters and of the narration make this book funny and worth reading, with reflections such as the following: "Pockets are a wonderful thing! You mightn't think that empty pockets would be much use, but the fact is that you have only to put your hands in your trouser pockets and you immediately feel a little quieter in your heart. Poor as it is, a sort of house has been built, a sort of corner has been found where you can be at home and at peace. The friendly warmth of your leg meets you through the thin, worn lining, and you only wish you could get the whole of yourself into your pocket, and sit rolled up in a ball, drowsily sniffing the mixture of smells-cloth and the innocent and always surprising smell of your own skin and the airy dryness of breadcrumbs."

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved almost everything I’ve read by this author, including this clever satire. He was a great novelist and anthropologist, and a courageous Soviet dissident.

[Eric Steinmuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that I happened to stumble upon. Smart, funny and deeply serious. A work that deserves more attention than I feel it receives today. Reminded me of Gogol and Vonnegut. I plan to explore his other works next.

[Gijs Grob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gelezen in de vertaling van Marko Fondse ('Ljoebimov').

De eenvoudige fietsenmaker Ljonja Tichomirov weet met zijn gedachten heel het afgelegen plaatsje Ljoebimov te bezweren en maakt er een afzonderlijk koninkrijkje van met hemzelf als staatshoofd. Zijn letterlijke gedachte-experiment loopt echter stuk op het menselijk tekort en zijn eigen onvolkomenheden.

Met Ljoebimov plaatst Tertz zich duidelijk in de grote Russische traditie van fantastievolle satirische schrijvers, van Nikolai Gogol tot Mikhail Bulgakov. Zijn stijl is even barok als absurd, met onverwachte terzijdes, niet te bevatten kronkels, bloemrijke uitweidingen en een droge ironie. Niet per se het verhaaltje zelf is interessant, maar hoe het verteld wordt. We wisselen bijvoorbeeld onverwacht van verteller, die ook nog 's met zijn eigen notenapparaat in discussie treedt. Ook worden sommige passages fantastischer voorgesteld dan ze zijn, om daarna een veel drogere versie van dezelfde gebeurtenis te geven. Tertz speelt met taal, met de lezer, met zijn eigen geloofwaardigheid, zodat de lezer steeds op het verkeerde been wordt gezet.

[l · Rating 4 out of 5]

quite funny - interesting style, loved the footnotes.