Soviet Self-Hatred
The Secret Identities of Postsocialism
About the Project
Until recently, this book was called “Russia’s Alien Nations,” but that is now the title of its introduction. Nontheless, the book examines imaginary constructs of postsocialist Russian identity through stories of encounters with an even more imaginary Other.
Brother 2: Son of Brother
if we say (and show) enough times that there are no more questions that need to be asked about the nature and future of Russia, it will become true.
Brothers and Keepers
Danila is a dangerous mixed metaphor: an empty vessel and a hired gun.
A Song of Orcs and Trolls
Americans who are paranoid about Russian trolls are trolling themselves.
Orknash: Supporting the Home Team
The Orc identity imagines rejection by the West, only to turn the Orc into an imaginary weapon against the West.
The Orc-Song of Mikhail Y. Elizarov
The song is an implicit call for the renewal of Orc pride.
Or(c)ientalism
If the appeal to literary fantasy might seem to cheapen ideological discourse, then this is a job well done.
The Abuses of Enchantment
Tolkien has been accused of many things, but subtlety is not among them.
Evil Empire: Love It or Leave It
To some Russian audiences, the villains start looking uncomfortably…Russian
Sith Lords of the World, Unite!
The very last people who can determine what is universal bout such stories is the Anglo-Saxon audience.
Creatures of Light and Darkness
The “Orc question” becomes much more provocative when seen in terms of internal cultural dynamics.
Sauron Does Moscow
A Russian art group decided to crown the Moscow International Business Center with the All-Seeing Eye of Sauron