Fazil Iskander was one of the most prominent Abkhazian writers, celebrated for his vivid portrayals of Caucasian life, primarily in Russian. His works, including famous stories featuring the clever boy Chik and the expansive novel "Sandro of Chegem," are characterized by their humor, irony, and a touch of magical realism. Iskander's writing often delves into human destinies and social issues, offering a critical perspective on ethnic prejudice and nationalism, all while maintaining a unique authorial voice reminiscent of Mark Twain.
The collection features a series of unconnected novellas that collectively offer a deep exploration of Soviet and post-Soviet culture. Each story blends humor and poignancy with satire and philosophy, providing readers with a nuanced understanding of the Soviet cultural heritage and mindset. Through its diverse narratives, the book captures the complexities and contradictions of life in this historical context.
Praised by The New York Times Book Review as "an Abkhazian Mark Twain," Fazil Iskander was one of the most acclaimed writers in the Soviet Union--and also one of the funniest. In Rabbits and Boa Constrictors, Iskander the story of a struggle between . . . well, rabbits and boa constrictors, which is really a struggle between the manipulators and the manipulated as they try to function in a failed utopia.
In a series of semi-independent tales, Iskander tells the 80-year story of Uncle Sandro from the 1880s to the 1960s. Sandro's story is also the story of the Abkhazian people, with all their customs, superstitions, passions and sufferings.