A satirical novel of alcohol, politics, Soviet society, and love. The story of a cable fitter who is fired from his job for charting his co-workers' jobs against the amount of alcohol they have consumed.



In this classic of Russian humor and social commentary, a fired cable fitter goes on a binge and hopes a train to Petushki (where his "most beloved of trollops" awaits). On the way he bestows upon angels, fellow passengers, and the world at large a magnificent monologue on alcohol, politics, society, alcohol, philosophy, the pains of love, and, of course, alcohol.