“Drawing Manual” philosophical-satirical novel

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“Drawing Manual” is a monumental philosophical-satirical novel in two volumes, written by the well-known artist and writer Maksim Kantor. Despite the title, it is not a practical guide to painting, but a work of fiction. Plot and era: The novel covers a broad historical period of the Soviet society’s transition from socialism to capitalism (from perestroika to the early 2000s).Main themes: The author подробно describes the life of the creative intelligentsia, the collapse of old ideals, the emergence of oligarchs, intelligence service agents, and the cynical world of contemporary art (the avant-garde), which he himself views very critically.