Fazil Iskander. Sandro from Chegem

"Sandro from Chegem" is the central work of Fazil Iskander, a living classic of Russian literature who bestowed upon it the warm light of Abkhazia, its sparkling temperament, and its vibrant, passionate poetry. The short stories that comprise the novel were published at various times over many years and have been adapted into films numerous times. Gradually, the "picaresque novel" (as the author defined it) evolved into a true epic. The short stories that make up the epic range in genre—we encounter drama, fairy tale, parable, and even a dashing detective story. The narrator of most of them, old Uncle Sandro, lived a long life, full of capricious twists and vivid events. A peasant, an abrek, a lover of a Svan princess, a dancer, a toastmaster, a rogue, and a sage—he has seen much in his time and learned much in it.