The Navigator

by Lasha Bugadze

138 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2021

About the author

Lasha Bugadze (Geogian: ლაშა ბუღაძე), born in Tbilisi in 1977 is a Georgian novelist and playwright. He graduated from I. Nikoladze Art College and Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film Georgian State University, the Faculty of Drama and Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, the Faculty of Art. He is the author of numerous novels and of plays that have been performed in many European cities. His works have been translated into French and English. Bugadze focuses his critical and ironic attention on inter-generational relationships and describes situations in which people fall victim to their prejudices, rigid ideas or stereotypes. He won the Russia and Caucasus Region category of the BBC International Radio Playwriting Competition in 2007 and one of the two top prizes in 2011 for his play The Navigator. Bugadze is a writer and presenter of literary programs broadcast on radio and TV by the Georgian public broadcaster. He is also a gifted cartoonist. He lives and works in Tbilisi.

Reviews

[Kamila Kunda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lasha Bugadze’s “The Navigator” is a sharp, satirical play that offers an interesting take on anxiety alleviated by AI, fractured relationships, and the lingering shadows of post-Soviet life. Set in contemporary Georgia, short scenes of 1:1 conversations between several characters reflect a sense of alienation and longing for meaningful connections.

Rostom, a middle-aged company employee is told by his boss to drive a few times a month to the region bordering with Abkhazia to monitor construction sites. Rostom, though initially deeply unhappy with a new responsibility and afraid of possible obstacles, quickly realises that he can have genuine conversations with his car navigation system. In fact, after first confessing to it about an unrequited love to a coworker, he discovers he has a crush on the female voice of the GPS. In a way, Rostom’s reactions and responses seem to mirror the confusion of Georgian society caught between tradition and rapid modernization. Bugadze’s writing is laced with dry humor and irony, and his ability to render existential unease through absurd, yet oddly relatable, scenarios gives the story its unique tone.

“The Navigator” is a quick and easy read, I finished it within an hour and enjoyed it a lot. The characters, while often neurotic and self-absorbed, reflect on one hand the dilemmas of corporate employees in the ever-changing geopolitical and economic landscape, and on the other hand the longing for what’s well-known and stable. Bugadze manages to balance absurdity with emotional insight, and while the story can at times feel slightly superficial and disjointed, this fragmentation mirrors the protagonists’ psychological states and simple needs, making it feel rather deliberate.

I wish I could see “The Navigator” on stage. With the right cast, I see the play succeeding as a darkly comic meditation on disconnection, struggle with adaptability and the exploration of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Bugadze’s wit and social critique are combined with a certain level of tenderness towards his characters, while Rostom’s relationship with the car navigation system may serve as a warning about the risks of our over-reliance on new technologies, particularly ChatGPT. A very unusual but fun book for me.

[māris šteinbergs · Rating 2 out of 5]

tbh this was shit

[Vesna Jusup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally worthy. Love the atmosphere, dynamics and big questions in short form. Long since I read scripts but indeed refreshing format. Highly recommend

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this short, funny, and thought-provoking play. Well worth the half hour or so it takes to read it! This was also better (but unfortunately still not perfect) translation and editing than many of the other Georgian books in this series. The best published-in-Georgian Georgian book I've read so far!

[Evi Routoula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ωραίο θεατρικό έργο του Γεωργιανού συγγραφέα Λάσα Μπουγκάντζε. Παρουσιάστηκε στο ραδιόφωνο της Αγγλίας το 2011, όπου και κέρδισε το βραβείο καλύτερου ραδιοφωνικού θεατρικού έργου στο διαγωνισμό που διοργάνωσε το BBC και το Βρετανικό Συμβούλιο. Ασχολείται με την μοναξιά των ανθρώπων στις μεγάλες πόλεις.

[Sabrina _lesewesen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

[maryk · Rating 5 out of 5]

დამნ

[Liene Kainaize · Rating 5 out of 5]

Šoferis iemīlas auto navigācijā :) piemin Rīgu vienā teikumā.

[ouliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

try to read a bad play challenge (failed)

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of fun to read

[Alyaa ₊˚⊹♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tragic comedy play representing loneliness and alienation. My first Georgian fiction book.. Small book. Short scripts. Liked it. Rostom is not psych<3

[Jer · Rating 1 out of 5]

0.5 ⭐️

Wtf did I just read GAHAHAH I know it’s satirical but still???? Read this in one sitting, less than an hour

Bought this book from a bookstore in Tbilisi, Georgia