Hard to imagine I was born and raised in this mortal absurd.
I have to say Erofeev sounds better in English. More sober and deeply philosophic. Also irony sounds better in English. It’s colder, remote and more bitter than in sentimental Russian language. In fact Benny is a very English character in spite being deadly Russian drunk. Strange impression after 43 years since I read this book for the first time. An absolute aggressive rejection of civilization and any sense or meaning of life. That’s true Russia.
Hell.
ANDREI GAVRILOV 