Moscow But Dreaming

Magical realism, Russian folklore, and real world issues intermingled

 

Moscow But Dreaming

by Ekaterina Sedia

Prime Books

Published December 5, 2012

Moscow But Dreaming is a collection of Ekaterina Sedia’s short stories. The stories contain elements of magic realism, Russian folklore and mythology, social commentary, and studies of Moscow and its surrounding areas, mostly in the late 80s and 90s. The grittiness of subject matters like child abuse, sexual abuse, starvation, and death might make a reader cringe if not for the fact that Sedia’s combination of dark imagination and equally dark real world issues shines a light on some ugly truths without sensationalism. My first exposure to Sedia’s incredible prose was in the reading of The Secret History of Moscow, which I plucked from the library shelf on my way to the checkout station on a whim, based solely on the stark design and testimonial paragraph written by Neil Gaiman on the front cover. I was completely bowled over by The Secret History of Moscow and anxious to read more by this author. Finding Moscow But Dreaming on NetGalley the same day was a serendipitous and happy moment. The collection of short stories affirmed my newfound admiration for this writer. The standout stories for me include “A Play for a Boy and Sock Puppets,” “Hector Meets the King,” and “Cherrystone and Shards of Ice.”  “There is a Monster Under Helen’s Bed” drove home to me what a special gift Sedia has for interweaving real social issues like the state of orphanages or children’s homes and the complications of international adoption with dark fantasy. The stories are disturbing, uncomfortable, and filled with truth. It is so rare when a writer’s words and stories can alter a reader’s perspective. I’m entranced. I want to read everything she’s written. Ekaterina Sedia is a new favorite author – Moscow But Dreaming and The Secret History of Moscow are among the best books I read in 2012.