“Alexander Melikhov became famous for his “novels of ideas” - few today dare to work in this genre... In his new novel, Alexander Melikhov solves the most difficult task in his entire career: he describes the American myth and its influence on Russian life. This book is about many things - but above all about the mysterious institutions where Soviet power was forged, and about how the last Soviet generation, the most promising, talented and unlucky, was formed. Of all Melikhov’s books since “The Plague,” this book is the most fascinating and requires minimal preparation from the reader - just live in Russia and look around.” Dmitry Bykov