Is That You Laughing Comrade? the World's Best Russian (Underground Jokes) [Paperback]

Algis Ruksenas (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Lyle Stuart (June 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806509945
• ISBN-13: 978-0806509945
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,443,579 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cleverly pokes fun at the (thankfully) old Soviet regime. Really funny!, September 2, 2011

By 

Cynthia Danute Cekauskas, LCSW "Lithuanian Am... (Savannah, Georgia) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Is That You Laughing Comrade? the World's Best Russian (Underground Jokes) (Paperback)

I loved this book. As the only previous reviewer stated, it is HILARIOUS! Although over ten years old now and (thankfully) dated because the Soviets are now out of power the sentiment of the book is not missed on those who truly understand how oppressive the Soviet regime was on its citizens. As Lithuanian-American writer, Algis Ruksenas, so aptly points out in his Introduction to the book, humor, at first glance, "seemed to be wanting among people living under the Soviet system. A visitor is invariably struck by the somberness of people on the steets of Moscow, Leningrad, Odessa, Vilnius, Talinn or any other city where tourists are permitted. Few people smile or exhange harmless banter in public and most wear preoccupied looks on their faces." Of course this type of public demeanor was "not surprising because of the harsh, overbearing, and latently threatening nature of the totalitarian system." As a result, those who lived under the Soviet regime, in order to maintain their sanity it seems, developed a unique look at the system under which they had to live "cleverly and secretively portrayed through the irreverent jokes they circulate. Underground political humor is a natural vent for collective frustrations built up as a result of the hardships of daily life and is a self-satisfying retreat from incessant propoganda...this type of humor is strictly forbidden....people share it only in the most intimate and trusted circles where emotional spirits---more often aided by liquid spirits---flow freely and generously."

The author explains that the book is comprised of many jokes he had been gathering for a number of years. He tells the reader: "The anecdotes herein (many of which I have translated from the Lithuanian language)were relayed to me by friends returning from visits; by a number of persons who were permitted to emigrate; by several defectors; and by friends and colleagues who are students of U.S.-Soviet affairs....This collection is by no means exhaustive, but it is representative of a preopondent type of humor originating behind the iron curtain. I offer it is a tribute to the indomitable spirit of people living under Soviet rule and by a medium by which we may better understand their human strivings."

This is a VERY FUNNY BOOK! One joke in particular had me laughing out loud:

"A Russian, an American, a Frenchmen and a Lithuanian were among passengers in an airliner. Suddenly the pilot appeared and said the plane was losing altitude due to an mechanical failure. 'Three of ou will have to sacrifice yourselves if we are to save the others,' the pilot said reluctantly. Whereupon the American shouted, 'Long live Free America!' and jumped out the hatch. Not to be outdone, the Frenchmen yelled, 'Long Live Free France!' and followed the American out the hatch. 'Long Live Free Lithuania!' shouted the Lithuanian as he grabbed the Russian and threw him out the hatch after them." Anyone of Lithuanian descent would find this joke EXTREMELY humorous remembering how deeply the Lithuanian people suffered under the Soviet Russian regime. If you want to laugh, THIS is the book for you!

4 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this book is funny, December 14, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Is That You Laughing Comrade? the World's Best Russian (Underground Jokes) (Paperback)

This is the funniest book i've ever found in the sorting room at davis library. my communist co-worker rich (ha ha) read me some jokes and i couldn't stop laughing. I love laughing at the soviet union....we crushed them in the cold war, and now we can laugh at their expense. In difficult times like these, what is better than laughing at a former enemy who now is a weak poor excuse for a nation and could be whipped by the french.