Shishigin Syndrome

The collection by the vibrant young author Denis Sorokotyagin includes a variety of genres. It features stories and free verse, a novella and travel notes, likely derived from social media posts. This mix is not accidental. It allows the author to reflect the entire polyphony of the consciousness of a modern metropolis inhabitant, all the layers of informational noise, the small and big meanings in every minute of our fast-paced existence. The book is partly autobiographical and is structured in reverse chronological order. It opens with stylish and witty Moscow texts and culminates in a powerful chord with the poignant novella Shishigin Syndrome, reflecting the realities of the author's childhood and youth in his native Yekaterinburg. Delicate, psychologically accurate, with brilliant dialogues, it immediately engages the reader in the conflict between a grandson and his beloved grandmother, who suffers from dementia. The novella is full of love, imbued with living pain and tenderness.