Conceived as a door into the West, Partygrad is a model city exploited by the Soviet authorities, who strive to encourage an influx of Western visitors. But all is not quite what it seems in the ‘lighthouse of perestroika’.

Perestroika in Partygrad is a brilliant satire of Russian life, which helps unravel some of the vastly complex sociological strands that make up the former USSR. It is not only highly entertaining but especially relevant in the light of recent events, providing a unique insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the Soviet people, which will help shape their destiny in the post-Communist world. Alexander Zinoviev is one of his country’s leading writers, best known for his classic novel The Yawning Heights.