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Criticism?
editI think this page desperately needs a section on the novel's critical reception and historical significance. Does anyone have anything to contribute in this respect? 70.251.250.59 (talk) 19:02, 2 September 2008 (UTC)
There are also interpretations of the book here that can be disputed. For example, this sentence,
"At the end, Rusanov's wife drops rubbish from her car window, symbolising the carelessness with which the regime treated the country," is someone's opinion. I thought it meant that she had no respect for the hospital's staff who tried to save her husband's miserable life. Saving it at a cost to themselves, too, because they, the doctors, are afraid he will make good on his numerous threats to "report" them to the "authorities" because of his dissatisfaction with everything around him. You can interpret it many ways so unless you ask the author himself (which we can't of course) it's really pure conjecture. Another thing is that Vera is not "middle-aged" as the discussion asserts. Vera is around the same age as Kostoglotov who is in his early 30s. The book says he was drafted as a soldier in WWII while in his twenties (which would be 1941 when the USSR entered the war)and the story takes place ten years later when Stalin dies. Vera had a fiance (described as a young man) who was killed during the war which puts her about the same age as Kostoglotov. So unless 30 is the new 40, neither of them are middle-aged. The article should stick to the plot, and not interpretation, unless you can get some sources cited. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 47.138.90.103 (talk) 06:17, 17 July 2017 (UTC)
- You are quite right. WP:FIXIT! Sealle (talk) 18:49, 17 July 2017 (UTC)
Update
editUpdated a bit further, would benefit from more additions about Russian 20th century history. Will keep adding as I find more to put on. 81.155.152.21 17:19, 18 January 2007 (UTC)
I began a list of characters, I will expand on this and also add a list of quotes, and research deeper the meaning of the metaphors in the book. JudeNich 20:21, 17 January 2007 (UTC)
I added some information to this stub, I would like to write more when i have more time for research into meaning. Perhaps somebody else who has read this novel would like to expand, particularly about the tobacco in the monkey's eyes, since i do not as yet fully understand this metaphor. -ZDay 23:05, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
I'm curious about that metaphor too. It was brought up continuously at the end of the book and kostoglotov wouldnt let it go. I think it might be that he knew he was about to die and couldnt understand how someone could throw away a life so thoughtlessly. There is also the monkeys captivity to think about as kostoglotov was a prisoner as well. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 124.40.61.137 (talk) 22:32, 1 September 2007 (UTC)