New Pelevin - "KGBT+"

This year, the writer talks about how to laugh in the face of the Apocalypse (which is always nearby in Russia). And gives instructions on how to escape from reality

On September 29, the publishing house Eksmo is published by Victor Pelevin’s novel “KGBT+”. In 2022, a writer, which has been published new books annually for nine years, tells the story of the “Superior” in Imen KGBT+-a hero who, through the brain implant, makes many people experience some collective meditation. In addition to the long -term philosophy of Buddhism, in this book the writer discusses the war and the apocalypse - and even about the "good Russians." Literary critic Galina Yuzefovich tells how the new Roman Pelevin turned out.

Perhaps the country had never been waiting for another artistic analytical novel from Viktor Pelevin with such impatience as in 2022. And, of course, it is deeply symbolic that he will go on sale on September 29 - on the eve of events , which once again over the past six months transform our reality beyond recognition.

In these circumstances, which has become the duty officer since 2013 (it was then that the writer moved to his current annual format) The main question about the new novel-“Norms” or “NOT Norms”-is more acute than ever. In addition to the usual expectation of high -class entertainment with the elements of intellectual gymnastics, an unfortunate prayer is behind him today: what is this happening to us, how do we think about it, in what direction to live?

It is possible to discuss for a long time why the Russian public (in any case, some part of it), by tradition, is already addressing these burning issues to the Minor writer that has long disappeared from the media space, skillfully avoids direct answers and specific recommendations. However, from all interpreters and interpreters of reality, it is Pelevin today that seems to be the greatest trust. And this time he copes with this time very worthy - if briefly, then the new Pelevin is definitely “norms”. Do not hesitate - our Pythia once again did not fail us.

Here the review could be folded, but some features of KGBT+are still worth it to stop at them. And the main thing is in a distinct and clearly intentional psychotherapeutic intonation chosen by Pelevin. As if realizing the responsibility to the frightened and disoriented reader, Pelevin in his annual message addresses him with the word of consolation, in the end of his strength, and giving practical advice on the mental (only mental) survival in existing circumstances.

However, the encouraging and tips in KGBT+, as usual, are completely non -straightforward and distinctly “Pelevin”. In other words, they are packed in a dense shell of dentist, entertaining futurology, anti-eerotic sex, fat hints of current events and the philosophy of Buddhism of the Theravada , which, as far as one can judge, the writer was seriously interested in the approaches to the “secret views of Mount Fuji”-the book that was published in 2018 (before Pelevin was more attracted to Buddhism. Mahayans , common in Mongolia, China and Japan).

The current novel directly continues last year’s collection “Transhumanism Inc.”, so that it will not be superfluous to refresh it in your memory for reading “KGBT+”. In the world, the whole elite has gained immortality, moving into “banks” (the underground tanks are called, which stores the brains of the rich, connected to millions of the electrodes generating virtual reality), and “green era” officially came on the ground (now move exclusively on horses). Advertising is broadcast into the consumer’s brain through an implanted implant, directly controlling the emotions and desires of a person. Against this background, the story of the protagonist named Kay - or, if completely, KGBT+unfolds.

The name is or rather, the creative pseudonym - the hero is designed to maximize its target audience. “KGB” will cause pleasant associations of the “patriotic” wing of the public (now it is customary to call them “compassions” - they are in power in Russia). GBT+, on the contrary, will like the “cryptoliberals” oriented to the western values. However, both the patriots and liberals in this marvelous new world are relative categories, since the leaders of the opinions of both directions have long moved to the “banks”, and peacefully coexist, from time to time, gesturing their mortal supporters and collecting dividends on this.

Kay - "Liberation". This is the name of the new form of artists - something like rockers of the classical era or modern rappers. Only the material for them is not words or music, but the ideas that they translate are “driving” into the heads of the audience through the brain implant. The resonance of thousands of implants implanted into the heads of the listeners turns the composition created by the "superintendent" into a kind of collective meditation. For a few moments, she gives both the creator himself and his flock of genuine spiritual ecstasy - under the condition, of course, that the idea of ​​“booze” is good.

Three quarters of the novel are occupied by the memoirs of Kay, who died under very dramatic circumstances. After his death, he got into the “bank”, from there the younger generation of the “bumpers” instructs and shares with them the secrets of his unsurpassed skill. “Success Story” is the genre in itself is quite ridiculous, but Pelevin repeatedly enhances the comic effect, approaching it with the maximum permissible sarcasm and pointing the conflict between the glossy form and the eerie content.

Keya’s story is, in essence, a story about a gifted guy who was repeatedly deceived, used, became intricate, set up, killed, killed, and then, already at the “bank”, they sent a deadline in a virtual prison. In the form of a cheerful glossy narrative, the plot looks emphasized ridiculously.

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The “Success Story” as a prototype is always partially oriented to the Gospel, and Pelevin ironically beats this kinship. However-and here it begins truly important-this is no coincidence similarity, since in some way the biography of Kei is the gospel.

As mentioned above, the memoirs of Kei's “Supervisor” occupy only three quarters of the novel. The remaining quarter refers to the story “Duel” from the collection “Transhumanism Inc.”. His main character, the old master of Sasaki’s combat dolls, turns out to be a non -accident figure. He is the rebirth of a young Japanese officer who during the Second World War in the rotten jungle of Burma practices a special technique of transition from one body to another - or, if a little simplified, conscious and directed reincarnation. In each rebirth, his soul strives for creativity, and at the same time to get rid of humanity from suffering - after all, this is precisely the essence of the teachings of the Buddha.

And now Sasaki decides to die and again be reborn in the image of Kei - a true creator, through his “in the boat”, who is able to convey the light of true knowledge to people.

Thus, the story that Kay tells is, oddly enough, at once both a parody of the gospel and the gospel itself. The hero himself acts simultaneously in the role of a soldering iron - dolls, which the Higher Power pulls by the threads, and as the Savior. The good news that he brings to his listeners - and with them and readers - Kay, he calls “flyingbism”: “Just let what is happening. It will happen without your permission. ”

At this point, Pelevin actually goes to the forefront, drops the mask and addresses the reader directly, offering us a plan of salvation. The meaning of his message is simple: suffering arises at the moment when we are trying to evaluate and comprehend what is happening or interact with him in some other way. The only thing we can do in order to avoid suffering is to abandon our vicious habit and perceive every event, a picture, inhale and exhale, as if from the outside, not involved in them and without plunging in them. If this is possible to achieve, "then you will not be in this, you will not be anywhere-neither here, nor there, nor anywhere in the middle." You will disappear - and will retrain yourself in a different world created in your own image and likeness. Or you can’t collect at all - if you feel that you are ready to leave the wheel of Samsara.

In general, this recommendation is not much different from the numerous tips “live in the moment”, “to be here and now”, emanating from various kinds of gurus and experts (using the Pelevine language, “influences”). And Pelevin is well aware of this. However, in the Shutovsky cap of Pelevin's prose, the old truth for some reason does not look neither banal nor vulgar. Pelevin hid the idea of ​​a great escape between evil jokes on an actual topic (there are plenty of them in the novel-from irony about “good Russians” to painful hints of mobilization), pseudoscientific historical and philosophical constructs and on-duty curses to critics and ill-wishers. In paradoxically, he fills all this with an irresistible charm and comforting power.

Russia is such a country that the apocalypse is always around it around the corner. The local ends of the world took place in the past, and in the future will occur in the future - some of them Pelevin describes not without bile pleasure in KGBT+. We are not powerful over this, and indeed almost no power over anything - only over our own soul. But it is in it that the key is hidden, capable of releasing us from a cell of suffering and fears.

Pelevin seems to bring us to the edge of the abyss, takes the hand and says: “Do not be afraid, jump. Well, come together - you see, I'm not afraid. " Perhaps, in some other-a happier and more calm-a year of this could have been enough for unconditional gratitude and admiration. In other conditions, it would be possible to discuss the protracted middle of the novel, tiring self -regenerators, the banality of the main message and other imperfections. But in 2022-just right.

Galina Yuzefovich