The Twelve Chairs

This is a farcical tale of three men in search of treasure buried in one of 12 identical armchairs. The story is very much a buddy tale of adventures and misadventures as the characters do almost anything to get their hands on the chairs in the Soviet Union of the 1920's. However, the story of the treasure hunt and the Marx Brothers like characters is really only the backdrop to a much deeper purpose, as The Twelve Chairs effectively describes the period of transition from czarist to Soviet rule. In between the tribulations of the heroes are many details of the food that was being served, student accomodations, railway and public construction projects, housing sooperatives and less than honest public servants. It is also very interesting to see how helpless the former upper class - the nobility - had become and how the Soviet Union, at least in its early days, could be exploited by the street smart like Ostap Bender. This is a very funny book that is also informative and is well worth reading. Inevitably, Bulgakov comes to mind as a complementary read; though he is somewhat more direct in his accusations of the regime.

If you talk to ANY Russian in the world, and mention "The Twelve Chairs" from their cultural heritage, or the "Rogei e kapuuta" phony business in the book, ALL Russians will spontaneously and uncontrollably smile. Normally glum Russians are unable to resist a smile at remembering the hilarious antics and insights in "The Twelve Chairs." It is set in the 'crazy time' when Russian society was in upheaval and some men just wanted to make their fortune. What do the Russians know that you are MISSING out on? They get the joke. You should get it, too! This English translation is a MUST read.

It is a long fateful story of how I came to read this book, but I am glad I did. It is one of the best books I have ever read. Some criticize the way the ending was done, but the end is not really the point. It is the ride on the way that is the point. There are so many layers to the story; it is dark, light, political and comedic all at the same time.The authors fill the story with such interesting characters,and weave their fates together in ways that are both ingenious and hilarious. Although some readers like myself may not catch all the underlying political themes,I think there's humour and wit to tickle every part of anybody's brain. From satire to good old slapstick it's all there.(I laughed my head off in a crowded subway car while reading this book!) In many ways the story is quite universal. I think everybody knows an Ostap Bender (one of the main characters.) The commentator to the edition I bought suggests that if more North Americans read this book,they would understand Russians better and realize how much they are stereotyped by Westerners. I do not purport to understand the "enigmatic Russian soulh however, from my limited experience, I must agree with the commentator; there seems to be a deeply funny and intelligent sense of humour that resides in their hearts and this book really shows it.

10 stars on a five-stars scale! Perhaps, the best way to describe this masterpiece is to say that I have re-read so many times, that I even don't know how many. You can pick up this book and open it on random pages, you can read the chapters in the backward order (I have done both)- it is still the best of the best! Several generations of Russians have incorporated quatations from "12 Chairs" and "Golden Calf" in their everyday vocabulary - these novels are just that great and popular. If you want to understand "the mysterious Russian soul" of the socialist period - this is perhaps the best way to do so. Oh, and be prepared to constantly laugh so hard that your neighbors will attempt to commit you! It definitely is one of the funniest pieces ever written. Borrow "12 Chairs" and "Golden Calf" books, buy them, steal them - just READ THEM!

Well, I actually read the original books, in Russian, but depending on how good the translation is, this book can range from excellent to pretty good. Some things, such as the various Soviet slogans and references encountered throughout the book, are probably not translatable, but even so, the bag of adventures that is Ostap and Ippolit are still worth the read. A lot of fun is poked at the soviet political and social structure. Definitely a good read.