Heart of a Dog
Mikhail Bulgakov · 1925
About this book
This darkly comic novella about a surgeon who transplants human organs into a stray dog, creating a boorish Soviet citizen, is a devastating satire of the Bolshevik project to create a "new man." Suppressed for decades, it circulated in samizdat and became a beloved text of underground culture. It captures the Russian tradition of using fantastical allegory to criticize political power.
Why read this for language learning
“Heart of a Dog” is an engaging and insightful choice for intermediate Russian learners, offering Bulgakov's sharp satirical prose. The novella's allegorical narrative provides valuable vocabulary related to science, medicine, Soviet society, and human behavior. It offers profound cultural insights into the early Soviet period, critiquing the utopian ideals of the revolution and the dangers of social engineering. Its relatively concise length and compelling plot make it an accessible way to explore complex themes, expand vocabulary, and understand the nuances of Russian political satire and its historical context.
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