Review of Andrei Platonov's 'The State Dweller' Stories and Their Historical Context

A review examines the collection 'The State Dweller' by Russian author Andrei Platonov, originally written around 1930. Platonov, born in 1899, was an engineer and journalist who initially embraced communism after the Russian Revolution but later became disillusioned. The stories, including 'The State Dweller,' 'Makar, Who Doubts,' and 'To Good – A Poor People's Chronicle,' use an ironic, fairy-tale style to critique Soviet bureaucracy and language, translated effectively by Gabriele Leupold. Figures like Leonid Averbakh, a leader in the proletarian writers' association, accused Platonov of promoting 'false humanism,' leading to publication bans. The narratives explore themes like the failure of socialist progress and bureaucratic excess, with characters often misinterpreting official slogans. Platonov faced repression, including writing prohibitions and his son's imprisonment in 1938, which influenced his subdued criticism. Joseph Stalin suggested punishment for the author, while Vladimir Lenin earlier demanded press freedom from bourgeois individualism. The review notes literary weaknesses, such as static characters and repetitive satire, but acknowledges Platonov's unique voice during a period of strict ideological conformity.