The Last Soldier of Decadence: Prokhanov Has Laid Claim to the Sacred 0 28

Between the awarding of Prokhanov with the star of the Hero of Labor of the Russian Federation and his fall from grace, exactly four months passed. The reason why the 87-year-old literary general found himself on the brink of being assigned the status of a foreign agent is obvious to everyone. It consists of 480 pages and is called "Lemner."

Troyevidov. Also Known as Putin

In the couple of weeks since the cancellation of the presentation of the novel at the Moscow House of Books, "Lemner" has secured its status as the main Russian literary event of the year. Who among people, even those who read actively but are not part of Prokhanov's narrow fan club, can say anything about his previous book (which, by the way, are published in several – up to half a dozen – copies a year)? But now everyone in Russia knows about "Lemner." From "Z-war correspondents" to "political Ukrainians."

They know that the novel is a highly fictionalized biography of the owner of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin. That the fictional Mikhail Lemner is Prigozhin himself, and the fictional president Troyevidov, diving for amphorae, rejuvenating himself with the blood of Chinese virgins, and spawning doubles from the eggs of Ksenia Sverchok, is someone who in reality can either grant a Hero title or use a razor against the eyes and put someone in the foreign agents registry.

Repeating the Past

Something similar happened with Prokhanov in the memory of the living only once – when "Mr. Hexogen" was published by the aesthetic Ad Marginem, St. Petersburg snobs awarded him the "Natbest," and glossy magazines published multi-page interviews with the yesterday's red-brown marginal and scribbler. This was in the distant past, in 2002, – but already under Putin. And the scandalousness of "Hexogen" was also related to Putin.

"Hexogen" artistically narrated legends about Putin blowing up houses. "Lemner" artistically narrates legends about Putin's doubles, rejuvenation, and baths of blood. "Hexogen" was released in large print runs and brought the author a lot of perks. "Lemner" disappeared from online and offline sales within a few days and forced the author to nervously justify himself.

Late for a Century

In the past quarter-century, everything has changed: from the Putin regime to Prokhanov's social standing. But Prokhanov the writer has not changed one bit. He remains the same as he has always been – not a nightingale of the General Staff, not a fascist marginal, not a presidential propagandist, but an ardent decadent. A figure of the Silver Age of the second-third tier, arriving almost a century late.

With a vivid imagination and no taste. Fond of mysticism, erotica, and guignol. Of imperial mirages and conspiracy tales. Decorating both with strange and wild patterns. This very pursuit, always valued by Prokhanov above a public or court career, throws him into red-brown opposition, glossy magazines, Heroes of Labor, and on the brink of becoming a foreign agent.