The Fatal Eggs and Other Soviet Satire

A classic anthology of wildly inventive and comic tales that brilliantly satirize post-revolutionary Russia.

"Amusing and excellent," this famous collection of Soviet satire from 1918 to 1963 devastatingly lampoons the social, economic, and cultural changes wrought by the Russian Revolution (Isaac Bashevis Singer). Among the seventeen bold and inventive writers represented here are the brilliant Mikhail Bulgakov, Ilf and Petrov, Mikhail Zoshchenko, Yevgeny Zamyatin, Valentin Katayev, and Yuri Kazakov. Whether the stories and novellas collected here take the form of allegory, fantasy, or science fiction, the results are ingenious, critical, and hilariously timeless.

"The stories in this collection tell the reader more about Soviet life than a dozen sociological or political tracts." —Isaac Bashevis Singer

"An altogether admirable collection . . . by the highly talented translator Mirra Ginsburg . . . Many of these stories and sketches are delicious, even-a miracle!-funny, and full of subtlety and intelligence." —The New Leader

"Hilarious entertainment. Beyond this it illuminates with the cruel light of satire the reality behind the pretentious façade of the Soviet state." —The Sunday Sun