The Queue

If you're wondering how people lived and survived in the Soviet Union, or if you just want to read a book full of innovations (in terms of style) and bitter humor, this book is for you. I read it in both in Russian and in English and either way, it's great! The whole book is in form of dialogue, which makes it easy to read and to follow (sometimes). It includes a sex scene... only dialog, no descriptions, one of the most powerful scenes i've read. Your mind has to produce images while your eyes see phrases, of cource, it's the same with the rest of the book. Sorokin's style in The Queue is much milder than what he has now, less postmodernism, more realism, but the format is simply outstanding. I recommend this book to all beginning writers and people who enjoy a nice well-written book once in a while....