"Rich in Russia" and "Bech in Rumania" are two short stories by the American author John Updike. Now that the Cold War is history, we can look back at it with a certain nostalgia. However, even at the time, writing about the East Block had it's charm, particularly when laced with a Jewish sentiment. Such stories are tragic and ironically humorous at the same time. These two stories exactly catch that atmosphere of gloom and suspicion while leaving room for humour. The stories are reminiscent of some of the works of Saul Bellow. ( )