About the book: 1986 / Semyonov Jr. is 9 years old. Looks no more than seven. He is small in stature, squat and childishly pliable and trusting. He lives in that large house, at the Nikitsky Gate, which will be demolished. Lives in the basement. Semenov’s grandfather spent his whole life here and even saw a real Tsar alive. To the boy it seemed long ago and implausible.