Vladimir Aituganov's fables are filled with pathos, humor, romance, sexuality, high adventure, and echoes of political oppression. You'll be fascinated with many of the characters like the title character in "Beast," which is set in New York City and is both sophisticated and heart wrenching; or an old man artist and a little girl and their very special relationship ("The Old Man and the Girl"). In "Little Violin," there is the young village girl who falls in love with a stranger and learns how to play the violin, and we find out how their love endures all the way from the Old World to Brooklyn, NY. As an artist, Aituganov found the suppression of creativity and freedom unbearable. His heroic characters ("Let's Die, Old Friend" and "Gurzuf, Poste Restante") stand up to their beliefs despite the physical and mental abuse bestowed upon them.
