A very good edition of this (4th printing) Northwestern University Press edition. Minor foxing around the edges of the front and back cover. Former owner's name is written in pen in inside front cover. Apparent thumbprint on the inside front page. Otherwise in excellent condition with tight binding and little discoloration to interior pages.

This book brings together the works of Daniil Kharms and Alexander Vvedensky, shedding light on a lesser-known tradition of absurdism during the Stalinist era. Kharms, a founding member of the avant-garde collective Oberiu, challenged conventional artistic norms with anti-rational verse and nonlinear theatrical performances. His play "Elizaveta Bam" is likened to Kafka's "The Trial" for its portrayal of an individual crushed by arbitrary authority, showcasing his penchant for eccentricity and rebellion against societal constraints.

Alexander Vvedensky, a poet and dramatist, exerted a formidable influence on avant-garde art in the Soviet Union, with his work serving as a powerful critique of reason. His contributions to Russian literature during the early Soviet period remain highly regarded, reflecting a commitment to originality and innovation. Through their writings, Kharms and Vvedensky illuminate the resilience of the Russian imagination amidst the constraints of socialist realism, leaving behind a legacy that challenges conventional literary boundaries and norms.