Victor Pelevin’s latest has the above title. Translated by Andrew Bromfield, the NYT describes the author as:
“Pelevin, an introspective Russian trickster now in his mid-40s, has made his name over the last 20 years by writing queerly unsettling fiction that grafts social and political reality to both Western and Eastern philosophies, binding them with the gauze of science fiction and taping them with literary allusion. Pelevin’s broad preoccupation is the meaning (or increasing lack thereof) of the human condition.”
Publishers Weekly states:
“Russian novelist Pelevin's chaotic latest examines contemporary Russia as viewed through the eyes of A. Hu-li, a 2,000-year-old werefox who is able to transform into a beautiful nymphet. The opening chapter is both an introduction to werefoxes as well as an account of how werefoxes, working as prostitutes, utilize their stunning looks to absorb a man's life energy.
Hu-li's experiences are standard for an ancient werefox until she meets Alexander, an attractive Russian intelligence officer who happens to be a werewolf. The two share a whirlwind romance, and after some trouble, shack up in Hu-li's bomb shelter.
While hiding out, Hu-li and Alexander argue about religion, death, truth and the like until they both claim to be the super-werewolf. This argument—and Hu-li's disclosure of her true age—rupture the bliss.
Pelevin creates interesting enough characters, but the unexplainable plot twists and the author's preoccupation with philosophical ramblings are nearly as perilous as a silver bullet.”
Click here for the full NYT review. Viking is the publisher.
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