First published 2004
A despondent narrator, consumed by nihilism and isolation, decides to end his life. But before pulling the trigger, he experiences a vivid dream that fundamentally alters his perception of human existence. In this dreamscape, he witnesses a pristine society untouched by corruption, where innocence and compassion reign supreme. The vision challenges his previous beliefs about human nature, offering a radical alternative to his crushing despair. Suddenly, his planned suicide becomes impossible—the dream has rekindled something essential within him. Now he must navigate the tension between his newfound insight and the harsh realities of the world around him.
Genres: fiction, 19th-century
Vibes: atmospheric, contemplative, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: existential-crisis, unreliable-narrator, vision-quest
Setting: Russia
Period: 19th-Century
32 pages · Paperback · Kessinger Publishing
Content warnings: depression, suicide