Title: Koba the Dread: Laughter and the Twenty Million
Author: Martin Amis
First published January 1, 2002
306 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781400032204 (ISBN10: 1400032202)
Rating: 3.85
Overview
In Koba the Dread: Laughter and the Twenty Million, Martin Amis delves into one of the most powerful belief systems of the 20th century: Communism. With a personal touch, Amis explores the indulgence of Communism by the intellectuals of the West and the stain it left on the world.
The book includes a brilliant biography of Stalin, capturing the essence of Iosif the Terrible. Amis also explores the connections between his father, a former “Comintern dogsbody,” and the leading Sovietologist Robert Conquest.
Through personal anecdotes and political insight, Koba the Dread offers a powerful rebuttal to Stalin’s infamous quote about the value of human life.
About the Author
Martin Amis is a renowned author from England, known for his novels such as Money, London Fields, and The Information. According to The Guardian, Amis’s writing style possesses a “terrible compulsive vividness” that showcases his command over the English language.
This unique style is recognizable in all his works.
Amis’s writing often highlights the absurdity of the postmodern world, portraying it through grotesque caricatures. For this reason, he has been referred to as the master of “the new unpleasantness.”
Editoral Review
Koba the Dread: Laughter and the Twenty Million by Martin Amis is a book that explores the horrors of Stalin’s regime in the Soviet Union. First published on January 1, 2002, the book is a blend of memoir, history, and literary criticism.
Amis, a renowned British writer, is known for his satirical and darkly humorous style, and this book is no exception.
The book begins with Amis’s personal reflections on his relationship with his father, Kingsley Amis, a famous British writer who was a staunch communist in his youth. Amis’s father’s political beliefs and his subsequent disillusionment with communism serve as a backdrop for the book’s central theme: the atrocities committed under Stalin’s rule.
Amis delves into the history of the Soviet Union, highlighting the purges, show trials, and the gulags that claimed the lives of millions of people. Using his trademark wit and sarcasm, Amis explores the absurdity and horror of the regime, weaving together personal anecdotes, historical facts, and literary analysis.
The book’s title, Koba the Dread, refers to Stalin’s nickname, Koba, and the dread that his regime instilled in the people. Amis paints a vivid picture of life under Stalin’s rule, describing the fear, paranoia, and violence that permeated every aspect of society.
He also delves into the psychology of Stalin and his henchmen, examining the reasons behind their brutality and their twisted ideology.
Despite its heavy subject matter, Koba the Dread is a beautifully written book, with Amis’s prose flowing effortlessly from page to page. His use of literary references and allusions adds depth and nuance to the narrative, and his insights into human nature are profound.
However, the book is not without its flaws. At times, Amis’s satire can feel heavy-handed, and his tendency to veer off on tangents can be distracting.
Additionally, some readers may find the book’s subject matter too depressing or disturbing.
Overall, Koba the Dread is a powerful and thought-provoking book that sheds light on one of the darkest periods in human history. It is a must-read for anyone interested in history, politics, or literature.
While it may not be for everyone, those who do read it will be rewarded with a deep understanding of the human experience and the consequences of unchecked power.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
