The novel "The Cauldron" is an attempt to convey political battles through the prism of artistic imagination. How successful this was is for the reader to judge. One thing is clear: the novel is easy to read and with enthusiasm. The names of all the characters in the Ukrainian tragedy have been changed, but are clearly recognizable; they could be called romantics if they were not so stupid and short-sighted, deceitful and unprincipled. Well, what reasonable person would try to rename cities on the territory of another state, in this case Crimea? Truly these are real Gogol heroes! The author also tried to portray them using satire and humor. In general, the novel is a satire on Ukrainian society and its patrons.