Depeche Mode is an interesting and disturbing novel about life in the Ukraine soon after the Soviet era ended. The story involves characters who attempt to get through their days looking for some modicum of structure and meaning. Of course, there is an existential void during the state transition so crackpot preachers draw large audiences of desperate citizens seeking quick answers to their confusion. The answers, however, are worse than the chaotic conditions of daily life. The younger adults use vodka as a way to numb their view of a pointless future. The alcohol has a horribly destructive effect on their bodies and souls. The illusion of Western values being superior to Soviet tenets is debunked by survivors having access to contemporary music on their radios. The music of the English band, Depeche Mode is played freely on Ukraine radio stations. Anthems of ache for the poor working bloke eking out a chaotic existence are the Depeche Mode (“fast news”) descriptions that fit the nihilism of the three main characters.

Under the influence, Dogg Pavlov, Vasia, and Zhadan confuse movement for action and realize they are ultimately strangers (ala Camus) who must accept their own life paths to a time when they look back in despair asking, “how did we end up here?” The prose of Zhadan is remarkably lyrical in shapr contrast with the hopelessness of the characters. ( )