In early childhood, someone inadvertently planted an ambiguous thought into his fragile psyche: “To be noticed, you have to do what no one else does.” But should one seek recognition at any cost? Often the understanding of the trivial truth comes too late: “Be simpler, and people will be drawn to you.” The world is very small and cramped. The grievances caused ultimately return to the offender, sometimes from a third party. So isn’t it better to stop the pendulum of retribution before it’s too late? About this and much more in the novel “Beetroot Cormorant.” At the center of events is a certain Fyodor Mikhailovich Baklanov, an unusual young man, truth-loving and arrogant, capable of both good deeds and meanness. The main action of the novel takes place in the first half of the “dashing nineties”, as eccentric as the main character, and is complemented by vivid episodes from his turbulent past. Evgeny Orel. Illustrations by Katerina Kiseleva.