“Wasteland” is the third novel by Anatoly Ryasov, written in the traditions of Russian metaphysical prose. The plot centers on the life of an abandoned village, whose daily routine is disrupted by the appearance of a blessed tramp. His proximity to madness and the mystery behind it determine the relationships between the other symbolic figures of the novel, including the priest, the blacksmith, the holy fool and the teacher. In the novel by Anatoly Ryasov, such philosophical categories as “emptiness,” “transgression,” and “the hum of language” appear in the Russian context. In 2012, the novel “Wasteland” was included in the long list of the “Big Book” literary award. St. Petersburg artist Natalya Krasilnikova drew illustrations for the text; in 2013, these works were exhibited in several galleries in Russia.