Requiem for a Soldier by Oleg Pavlov

A grotesque, caricatural portrait of the last days of the Soviet Empire is offered by Pavlov in his latest work to be translated into English. Alyosha, a soldier who has completed his army service in a desolate land, is now serving in a military infirmary waiting to finally get 'the finest steel tooth' as an 'eternal' gift promised by his deaf commander. When he agrees to help a medical officer in a mysterious task, he ends up involved in a deathly journey that will lead to an unexpected outcome.

Death, the human condition and the natural thirst for eternity are some of the main themes that emerge in a world populated by crazy doctors, opinionated drivers, drunken fathers and ravenous mice. An unordinary tale that, as with many of Russia's finest novels, does not lack an interesting level of obscurity as well as deep introspection – seeming to reflect the author's experience as a guard in a Kazakhstan military prison. Pavlov's prose is graphic and powerful thanks to the fine translation of Anna Gunin. The descriptions of most characters are skilfully filled with tiny, significant details that tell us more about their inner selves. 

Requiem for a Soldier is the third volume of the award-winning thematic trilogy Tales from the Last Days, which includes Pavlov's previous novels Captain of the Steppe and The Matiushin Case.