This is a novella. Through the strange experiences of Andrei's family and the portrayal of Zukhor, a former deputy secretary of the regional Soviet Communist Party committee who later became a local tyrant, the author sharply exposes the brutal realities of Tajikistan under the rule of religious theocracy, secular power, clan interests, and local warlords. Regional strongmen collude with criminal groups, oppress the people, and commit every imaginable atrocity. The novel offers a fairly objective picture of Tajikistan during its civil war. Industry professionals have praised it for bringing the mountainous country of Tajikistan vividly to life. Russian author Medvedev recounts the people and events of the civil war, focusing on the struggle to survive under wartime conditions. Reading the novel provides a relatively comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the war and of the lives, customs, and religious culture of different social classes during the conflict.
