The case of Comrade Tulayev

An excellently broad and empathetic story written with the style of classical Russian narrative, that moves through a selection of diverse characters living in Stalin's Russia. Serge's writing allows the characters to become individual figures that are also metaphors for the block unity of the Soviet people. The last few pages conclude with a letter that is reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin's speech in The Great Dictator, with a powerful philosophical punch, highlighting the author's divided opinion on the utopian ideals of the October Revolution, and the complexity of its aftermath. Sometimes the writing is a little dated (nearly all of the characters are male; at times the writing is too obvious) but the book is extremely enjoyable, often funny, and well paced.