Description
Book SynopsisIn this captivating memoir, Emil Draitser explores what it means to be a satirist in a country lacking freedom of expression. His experience provides a window into the lives of a generation of artists who were allowed to poke fun and make readers laugh, as long as they toed a narrow, state-approved line.
Trade ReviewDraitser's memoir is a compelling read-informative, passionately written, funny, and framed within the context of Soviet history. It is a great resource for anyone interested in Soviet Jewish culture and identity in the post-Stalin era, the perils of emigration, and the paradox of being a humorist in an authoritarian state where satire was tolerated but always suspected of crossing a line into dissent." - Jarrod Tanny, author of
City of Rogues and Schnorrers: Russia's Jews and the Myth of Old Odessa"A true jewel. This book is hard to put down. It is funny, insightful, full of excellent dialogue and detail. It provides a window into everyday life of the author working within the Soviet publishing industry and offers insights on how the Soviet censorship system worked in practice." - Anna Shternshis, author of
When Sonia Met Boris: An Oral History of Jewish Life under Stalin
