This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. The Clay Machine-gun

   

   "The Clay Machine-gun" is a surreal and complex novel that explores the nature of reality and illusion. The story is set in post-Soviet Russia and follows a protagonist who has multiple identities, including a poet in 19th-century Russia, a 20th-century psychiatric patient, and a 21st-century advertising executive. The narrative moves between these identities and realities, blurring the lines between them and creating a layered and philosophical exploration of Russian society, identity, and the human psyche.

   The 1716th Greatest Book of All Time

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2. 2. The Sacred Book Of The Werewolf

   

   This novel introduces readers to a captivating world where ancient myth meets modern life through the eyes of a two-thousand-year-old werefox named A Hu-Li. Disguised as a teenage girl, she navigates contemporary Russia, using her supernatural abilities and seductive powers to survive in a society dominated by men. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she falls in love with a werewolf, a figure representing the novel's exploration of themes such as identity, transformation, and the search for spiritual enlightenment. Set against the backdrop of post-Soviet Russia, the narrative delves into philosophical discussions, blending Eastern philosophies with the complexities of modern existence, all while maintaining a sharp sense of humor and a deep sense of mysticism.

   The 5993rd Greatest Book of All Time

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3. 3. The Life of Insects

   

   "The Life of Insects" is a surreal novel that explores the complexities of post-Soviet Russia through the lens of a bizarre seaside community of humans who transform into various types of insects. The narrative unfolds through a series of interconnected stories that delve into the characters' struggles, dreams, and fears, serving as a metaphor for the human condition. The book provides a satirical commentary on society's ills, touching on themes of capitalism, corruption, and the search for identity in a rapidly changing world.

   The 6621st Greatest Book of All Time

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4. 4. Omon Ra

   

   The novel is a satirical exploration of the Soviet space program through the eyes of Omon, a young man who dreams of becoming a cosmonaut. As he progresses through the rigorous training and eventually embarks on a mission to the moon, Omon discovers the grim reality behind the facade of Soviet technological prowess. The story delves into themes of disillusionment, the absurdity of bureaucratic systems, and the loss of individual identity within the collective, ultimately questioning the cost of human ambition and the nature of reality itself.

   The 17113th Greatest Book of All Time

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5. 5. Затворник и шестипалый

   Повесть о настоящем человеке

   

   In this thought-provoking novel, the narrative unfolds within the confines of a Russian prison, where two seemingly disparate characters—a philosophical inmate and a mysterious six-fingered man—engage in deep, existential dialogues. Through their conversations, the story explores themes of identity, freedom, and the nature of reality, blending elements of satire and metaphysical inquiry. As the characters navigate their confined world, the novel delves into the human psyche, questioning the constructs of society and the essence of human existence, all while maintaining a sharp, often humorous critique of contemporary culture.

6. 6. Ананасная вода для прекрасной дамы

   Рассказы

   

   Set in a surreal and satirical world, this novel explores the complexities of modern Russian society through a series of interconnected stories. The narrative delves into themes of identity, consumerism, and the absurdity of contemporary life, often blurring the lines between reality and illusion. Characters navigate a landscape filled with bizarre events and philosophical musings, reflecting on the nature of existence and the influence of media and technology. The book offers a sharp critique of societal norms, wrapped in a blend of humor and existential inquiry.

7. 7. I Phuck 10

   The Story of a Cyber-Detective

   

   Set in a dystopian future where the lines between reality and virtuality blur, the narrative follows a detective who solves crimes by entering the minds of criminals through a sophisticated virtual reality system. As he navigates through these digital landscapes, he grapples with existential questions about identity, consciousness, and the nature of reality itself. The story unfolds with a blend of dark humor, philosophical musings, and a critique of modern society's obsession with technology and surveillance.

8. 8. S. N. U. F. F.

   

   Set in a dystopian future where society is divided into technologically advanced "Big Byz" and the primitive "Urkaina," the narrative explores themes of media manipulation, cultural imperialism, and the commodification of violence. The story follows a drone pilot who films "snuff" films—staged acts of violence for entertainment—highlighting the moral ambiguities and ethical dilemmas faced by individuals in a world where reality is blurred by the omnipresence of media. Through dark humor and sharp satire, the novel critiques contemporary societal issues, questioning the nature of truth and the impact of technology on human relationships.

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9. 9. The Yellow Arrow

   

   Set on a seemingly endless train journey, the narrative explores the lives of passengers who are oblivious to their destination and the meaning of their journey. The train, a metaphor for life, is filled with individuals who are resigned to their fate, living in a state of passive acceptance. Amidst this backdrop, one passenger begins to question the purpose of the journey and the possibility of escape, leading to a profound exploration of existential themes and the human condition. The story delves into the concepts of freedom, choice, and the search for meaning in a world that seems predetermined.

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10. 10. A Werewolf Problem In Central Russia And Other Stories

    

    This collection of stories delves into the surreal and often absurd realities of post-Soviet Russia, blending elements of folklore, fantasy, and existential musings. Through a series of bizarre and thought-provoking narratives, the tales explore themes of identity, transformation, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world. Characters navigate a landscape where the lines between reality and illusion blur, encountering werewolves, mystical creatures, and philosophical quandaries that challenge their perceptions of self and society. Each story offers a unique lens into the complexities of human experience, wrapped in Pelevin's signature wit and imaginative storytelling.

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11. 11. Жёлтая стрела

    

    Set aboard a seemingly endless train journey, the narrative explores the lives of passengers who are trapped in a monotonous and surreal existence. The train, a metaphor for the passage of life, travels through a desolate landscape with no apparent destination, reflecting the existential struggles and philosophical musings of its inhabitants. As the characters grapple with their sense of purpose and the inevitability of their journey, the story delves into themes of fate, freedom, and the human condition, offering a poignant commentary on the cyclical nature of life and the search for meaning in an indifferent world.

12. 12. Тайные виды на гору Фудзи

    

    In this thought-provoking novel, the narrative unfolds in a surreal and satirical world where the boundaries between reality and illusion blur. The story follows a group of characters who embark on a journey to a mysterious mountain, each seeking enlightenment and self-discovery. As they navigate through a series of bizarre and often humorous encounters, the novel delves into themes of spirituality, consumerism, and the human condition, ultimately questioning the nature of existence and the pursuit of meaning in a rapidly changing world.

13. 13. Любовь к трем цукербринам

    

    Set in a surreal world where the lines between reality and virtuality blur, the narrative explores the complexities of love, identity, and existence through the lens of a futuristic society dominated by technology and consumerism. The protagonist navigates a landscape filled with digital avatars, artificial intelligence, and philosophical musings, all while grappling with the nature of human connection in an increasingly disconnected world. The story delves into the absurdities of modern life, offering a satirical yet profound commentary on the human condition in the age of digital transformation.

14. 14. святочный киберпанк, или рождественская ночь 117.Dir

    
15. 15. Любовь к трем цукербринам. Великий ХАМster

    

16. 16. Принц Госплана

    

17. 17. Empire V

    

    A young man is inducted into a hidden vampire elite in contemporary Moscow and taught to survive by feeding not on blood but on money, celebrity, and the manufactured desires created by advertising and media; as he rises through their ranks he learns how language, branding and spectacle are weapons used to control and commodify human consciousness. The novel is a darkly comic, surreal satire that blends urban fantasy and philosophical critique to expose how consumer culture and power structures turn people into resources and reshape identity.

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18. 18. Transhumanism Inc.

    

    A darkly comic, phantasmagorical satire that imagines a world in which a corporate machine packages and sells the promise of technological immortality, blending tech‑startup rhetoric with spiritual longings; through surreal episodes and pointed irony it examines how capitalism commodifies identity, turns the soul into a product, and exposes the absurdities and moral costs of seeking eternal life by outsourcing human existence to market forces and machines.

19. 19. Искусство легких касаний

    
20. 20. Священная книга оборотня

    

    A sardonic, surreal novel that follows a centuries-old fox spirit who assumes human form and lives in contemporary Moscow as a courtesan, using mythic transformation and erotic comedy to chronicle the city’s chaotic post-Soviet changes; blending Buddhist and Daoist motifs with sharp social satire, it examines animal instinct versus social roles, the commodification of desire, love and loneliness, and the search for meaning and immortality amid modern absurdity.

21. 21. Бэтман Аполло

    

    A darkly comic, surreal novella that follows twin brothers—one reinvented as a punkish rock star and the other as a quiet, reflective counterpart—whose swapped identities and adventures in chaotic post‑Soviet society expose the emptiness of celebrity, the commodification of consciousness and the elusive search for authentic selfhood; blending satire, pop‑culture pastiche and metaphysical speculation, the story probes myth, mass media and spiritual longing amid the dizzying transformations of the era.