The Little Golden Calf — Ilya Ilf; Evgeny Petrov

One of the greatest Russian satires ever published and one of the last works of Russian fiction to poke fun at the Soviet regime before the imposition of unbridled state censorship in the 1930s. Anne O. Fisher's lively translation (the first since 1961) is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book's two co-authors. The Little Golden Calf is a true gem of Russian literature. This edition is the first unabridged, uncensored English translation, and is 100% true to the original serial publication. It resurrects the con man Ostap Bender, "the smooth operator," and follows him and his three hapless co-conspirators on a hilarious romp through the Soviet Russia and Central Asia of 1930. Bender claims that he has "very serious differences of opinion with Soviet power. It wants to build socialism, and I don't." He wants to emigrate to Rio de Janeiro, so he and his crew set off in pursuit of an underground millionaire, who, Bender is certain, "will bring me his money himself, on a little saucer with a sky-blue rim." The Little Golden Calf stands alongside the works of Griboyedov, Pushkin, and Gogol for its profound effect on Russian language and culture. The tale overflows with trenchant catchphrases and legendary literary episodes, offering a portrait of Russian life that is as funny and true today as it was when the novel was first published. For decades, foreigners trying to understand Russia have been advised to read the adventures of Ostap ("This book says more about Russia than a dozen tracts written by foreigners..." the New York Times wrote in 1932). This new translation makes them more enjoyable than ever.