Our book choice for May 2008 is Death and the Penguin by Andrew Kurkov. Viktor is an aspiring writer with only Misha, his pet penguin, for company. Although he would prefer to write short stories, he earns a living composing obituaries for a newspaper.
Death and the Penguin is a darkly comic novel by Ukrainian author Andrey Kurkov, set in the post-Soviet city of Kyiv. The novel follows the life of Viktor Alekseyevich Zolotaryov, an aspiring writer who is struggling to make ends meet. Viktor’s only companion is Misha, a king penguin that he rescued from the zoo when it was forced to give away its animals.
Viktor is offered a job writing obituaries for a local newspaper, and he soon discovers that the job is not what he expected. The editor of the newspaper wants Viktor to write obituaries for people who are still alive, but who are considered to be “dead men walking.” These people are powerful figures in the city, and they are all under threat of death from the mafia.
Viktor is initially reluctant to write these obituaries, but he soon realizes that he has no choice. He needs the money, and he also needs to protect Misha, who is constantly being threatened by the mafia.
As Viktor writes the obituaries, he begins to learn more about the dark side of the city. He sees how the mafia operates, and he witnesses the corruption that is rampant in the government. He also begins to understand the fear that people live in, and the lengths that they will go to in order to survive.
Viktor’s life becomes increasingly dangerous as he gets closer to the truth. He is followed by the mafia, and he is even attacked. But he is determined to finish his work, and he is willing to risk everything to protect Misha.
Death and the Penguin is a darkly comic novel that explores the themes of corruption, violence, and survival. It is a satire of the post-Soviet world, and it is a story of hope and redemption. The novel is full of memorable characters, and it is told with a sharp wit and a keen eye for detail.
Here are some additional details about the novel:
- The title of the novel refers to Viktor’s pet penguin, Misha. Misha is a symbol of hope and innocence in a world that is often dark and violent.
- The novel is set in Kyiv, Ukraine, in the years following the collapse of the Soviet Union. This is a time of great political and economic turmoil, and the city is rife with corruption and violence.
- The novel is full of dark humor, and it often uses satire to explore the themes of corruption and violence.
- The novel has been praised for its sharp wit, its memorable characters, and its insights into the post-Soviet world.
Discussion Questions
- Is this a pessimistic or optimistic book?
- What did you make of the penguin? What role did it play in the novel?
- What did you think of the world painted by the author?
- Is the book a satire? Did you think it was effective?
- To whom would you recommend this book?
- What do you think the title of the book means?
- What is the significance of the penguin’s name, Anatoly?
- What do you think the penguin represents?
- What is the significance of the penguin’s journey?
- What do you think the author is trying to say about life, death, and the absurd?
- How does the book’s humor help to make its message more palatable?
- What are the book’s strengths and weaknesses?
- How does the book compare to other works of satire?
- What is the book’s lasting impact on you?
- What would you say to someone who was considering reading the book?