The Dream Life of Sukhanov

Nov 16, 2025 8:40 AM

Author:Olga Grushin

Stepping out into the dusk of a warm Moscow evening, esteemed art critic Anatoly Sukhanov feels on top of the world: his career is glittering, his wife is beautiful and his children are clever. But the year is 1985 and the air is heavy with change. Sukhanov's future will be haunted by doubt. Beset by heartbreaking visions of a past he gave up, he questions his choices: in swapping a precarious life as a brilliant underground artist for comfort and security did he betray his dreams? And if his dreams are lost, what does he have left?

One of the most highly acclaimed debuts of recent years, The Dream Life of Sukhanov is a work of demonic energy and startling imagery: a new classic.

Reviews

In Grushin's wonderful novel, the incandescent wealth of Russia's literary heritage blazes

—— Daily Telegraph

So good, I felt like buying ten copies and sending them to friends . . . a stunning fictional debut

—— Lesley Chamberlain , Independent

Pure fantastic delight

—— Time Out

Inciteful, humorous and engaging

—— Lancashire Evening Post

An hilarious look at life as a single mum. Wickedly funny, warm and wonderfully perceptive, it's great for those long, cold, dark winter nights

—— Peterborough Evening Telegraph

An amazing story

—— Vanessa Feltz, BBC London

Literate chick-lit ... Jayne Buxton is a funny writer who knows that humour is in the detail

—— Boston Globe

This is one that you won't want to miss - a wonderful debut novel

—— Armchair Interviews.com

Intelligent chick-lit ... This laugh-out-loud debut will captivate readers

—— Publishers Weekly

Brilliantly funny in its early chapters, but also very wise, the virtuosic irony turns to bitterness as a tragic story develops. Tesich died just after completing this marvellous, heart-felt valediction.

—— Scotland on Sunday

A sad novel with a jaunty, upbeat tone that disguises the tragedy of Tesich's magnetic characters

—— Observer

A feisty read you won't want to put down

—— Woman

A must-read for empty nesters ... this is Trollope at her most poignant

—— Guernsey Now

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