Socialist Noir
The most interesting book I've read recently is "Zift - Socialist Noir" by Vladislav Todorov. The book is set in Bulgaria in the bleak, particularly cold winter of 1963. It stars Lev, released from prison after twenty years for a crime he didn't commit, destitute and apparently pursued all across Sofia by different groups of people who think he's stashed the loot somewhere.
There's a glass eye and it takes a while for Lev to realise that all the fascists who ran the country when he was sent away are now communists. Oh, and there's a femme fatale to die for - possibly literally.
Zift, bythe way, is socialist chewing gum - and the whole thing takes place in one night - making shows like 24 seem to move at a snail's pace.
Reply With Quote
