Fatal Eggs (Hesperus Classics) [Paperback]

Mikhail Bulgakov (Author), Hugh Aplin (Translator), Doris Lessing (Introduction)

Book Description

Series: Hesperus Classics | Publication Date: October 2003

This new translation of a key work by one of the greatest Russian satirists is particularly topical to the current debates on genetic modification. An inspired work of science fiction and a biting political allegory, Bulgakov's The Fatal Eggs tells of a brilliant scientist whose experiments with life spiral terribly - and fatefully - out of control. Quite by chance, Professor Persikov discovers a new form of light ray whose effect, when directed at living cells, is to accelerate growth in primitive organisms. But when this ray is shone on the wrong batch of eggs, the Professor finds himself both the unwilling creator of giant hybrids, and the focus of a merciless press campaign. For it seems the propaganda machine has turned its gaze on him, distorting his nature in the very way his 'innocent' tampering created the monster snakes and crocodiles that now terrorise the neighbourhood.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'No afficionado of the genre could fail to be enchanted by this so perfect example' - From the foreword by Doris Lessing"

From the Publisher

Since its U.S. launch in 2003, Hesperus Press has enjoyed a growing reputation for its inspired selection of short classic works. Written by illustrious authors, and often unjustly neglected or simply little known in the English-speaking world, these works have been made accessible via a completely fresh editorial approach and new translations. Now, in addition to the Hesperus Classics, Hesperus Press is introducing a new series: Modern Voices. Drawing from the very best of 20th-century literature, Modern Voices will retain the exceptional quality of the Hesperus Classics, with a new series look that reflects the more modern nature of the list. Among the first authors will be Carlo Levi, Katherine Mansfield, and Graham Greene, and Hesperus has already secured prominent contemporary writers like Anita Desai, William Boyd, and Colum McCann to introduce the books—again retaining one of the key successes of the Hesperus Classics. Finally,! 2005 heralds the launch of the Hesperus Contemporary series, opening with The Nightingale Papers, the fiction debut of prize-winning biographer David Nokes. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Hesperus Pr (October 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843910632
• ISBN-13: 978-1843910633
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,077,632 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars sci-fi satire, October 15, 2004

By 

W. Chamberlain - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fatal Eggs (Hesperus Classics) (Paperback)

Of interest to any admirers of Bulgakov and those interested in science fiction or satirical fiction, The Fatal Eggs is a brilliant satire on Stalinist Russia. Bulgakov lived under Stalin's regime and experienced first-hand suppression and censorship (his most celebrated works were not published in his lifetime), giving this satire a thrilling bite. The story is of an eccentric Russian scientist who discovers a form of light ray that accelerates growth in organisms. But when the ray is shone upon the wrong batch of eggs, he accidentally creates giant hybrids which quickly overun the city, while the propaganda-driven press report on all of this as it spirals further and further out of control. Highly entertaining, and well-translated too.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Genius, May 3, 2008

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what I like to read - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fatal Eggs (Hesperus Modern Voices) (Paperback)

Bulgakov is wonderful. This story is a charming expression of Bulgakov's sentiments of Soviet Russia. I am constantly amazed that Bulgakov managed to escape the Culling that was suffered by so many of Russia's intellectuals.

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Bulgakov's Best, November 8, 2011

By 

winternight "winternight" (DC) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Fatal Eggs (Paperback)

I'm a huge Russian literature fan and absolutely loved reading Bulgakov's Master and Margarita and Heart of a Dog, unfortunately this work didn't live up to my expectations. The story line is ok but while Heart of a Dog and M&M still feel relevant and fresh, The Fatal Eggs reads out of touch and old-fashioned. First of all the characters were much less compelling than in other Bulgakov novels and as for the story it is amusing but perhaps the satire is too time specific to translate well. It is a short read so if you want to complete your Bulgakov collection you can do so easily.