About the book: year / Author's commentary on the novel "Shatuny": This novel, written in the distant 60s, during the years of metaphysical despair, can be understood on two levels . First level: this book describes hell, and modern hell, hell on planet Earth without any embellishment. The famous American writer, Cornell University professor James McConkie wrote about this novel: “... the earth turned into hell without people realizing that such a transformation had taken place.” The second level is the image of some people who want to penetrate into spiritual realms where humans have no access, penetrate the Great Unknown. This makes them go crazy, as if they become monsters. The first level is what first catches your eye. However, McConkie writes that "the underlying vision here is religious; and the comedy of this book is deadly in its seriousness." Obviously, it is meant that the description of hell is always instructive from a religious point of view. Let us remember Hieronymus Bosch. In addition, the depiction of a spiritual crisis inevitably leads to counter-reaction and reflection. In other words, deep catharsis occurs. Therefore, it does not seem strange to me that this novel saved the lives of two Russian young people who were planning to commit suicide. By chance, they read this novel together in one night - and abandoned this decision, which they were already ready to implement. However, I do not recommend reading this novel to those who are not prepared for such reading. The author’s position (in all my works) is the same : This is the position of the Witness and Observer, cold detachment. This is the situation of the dispassionate Explorer. The characters can go as crazy as they want, but the author remains a Researcher and a Witness in any case. If you like, this research approach can be called scientific.