Reviews

Heart of a Dog by Mikhail Bulgakov

sidharthvardhan's review

4.0

That of a stray dog is one of the hardest lives of all. Always suffering from hunger and being forced to live under open sky come rain or winds. And they are always afraid of people around them - a fear probably born of some violent experience.

Our protagonist is one such dog. The first-person narrative of dog in first few chapter will put a knowing smile on face of anyone who has observed dogs closely.

What follows is a cruel experiement in which some of dog's body parts are replaced with that of a dead man. And thus sci-fiction themes of moral issues relating to genetic engineering and that kind of thing is there. The description kind of reminded me of this inhuman experiment. Disgusting, isn't it?

Another way of looking at it is a satirical allegory of revolution. The dog-human being the government of prolls. The very name of human whose organs were used (a thief)
Chugunkin derives from Russian word for cast iron. Of course after transformation, iron becomes Stal or steel, which is word from which Stalin's name is driven.

There are some rather funny moments. The dogs of Russia are apparently rather well informed. They all know how to read - mostly from hoardings over groccery shops, restaurants etc. They are also well versed in all curses in Russian language. They are also well versed in language of revolution.

danielleanje's review

adventurous dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

toutesleschosesmarguerite's review

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

frankenchrist's review

challenging dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

uvw's review against another edition

5.0

"– Как это вам удалось, Филипп Филиппович, подманить такого нервного пса? – спросил приятный мужской голос и триковая кальсона откатилась книзу. Запахло табаком и в шкафу зазвенели склянки.
– Лаской-с. Единственным способом, который возможен в обращении с живым существом. Террором ничего поделать нельзя с животным, на какой бы ступени развития оно ни стояло. Это я утверждал, утверждаю и буду утверждать. Они напрасно думают, что террор им поможет. Нет-с, нет-с, не поможет, какой бы он ни был: белый, красный и даже коричневый!"

michinio's review against another edition

5.0

აი, 1 წუთია დავამთავრე ეს წიგნი და ამ მომენტში ბულგაკოვი საერთოდ საუკეთესო რუსი მწერალი მგონია, ტოლსტოიზეც და პელევინზეც მაგარი!

P.S. აი თურმე საიდან ყოფილა ვასიკო კეჟერაძის "კლიმ!" :)

raycheeze's review

dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

dogman 

angus_mckeogh's review

3.0

Pretty funny and crude. The underlying subtext of the Soviet people is interesting. But I liked Alasdair Gray's Poor Things much better as a story about creation and transformation.

simsalabim_'s review

dark reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

simplyycharlii's review against another edition

4.0

“Now as I walk along the streets I look at every dog I meet with secret horror. God knows what is lurking in their minds.”

Weirdly fun. 3.5!