On any other topic, this novel would be considered satirical, but how does one satirize the final days of Stalin when the historical circumstances are so absurd as to defy satire?

Stalin's health is declining, but since he's sent away all of his doctors to be tortured (he's sure they're enemies because they're Jewish) so he has no one to look after him. They send for the chief veterinarian from the Moscow Zoo as the next best thing. The vet brings along his 12 year old son Yuri who ends up staying and becoming Stalin's food taster.

People assume Yuri is an idiot because he has an odd demeanor due to an accident. He's anything but. His observations are a fly-on-the-wall view of the political machinations, the treachery, selfishness and evil of Stalin and his henchmen.

Clever and touching with layered satire and historically accurate depictions of the time. Well done.

If you liked this book, do watch The Death of Stalin.

Yuri Romanovich Zipit is a twelve year old boy and the son of the veterinarian at The Kapital Zoo in the Soviet Union during the last days of Stalin's reign. An accident at 6 years old has left Yuri "damaged in body and mind, not in... spirit, which is strong and unbroken." Although he is seen by some as an "idiot boy", he has a face that invites confession and lowers the defenses of even the harshest of humans. When his father is called to secretly treat the socialist leader, Iron Man, Yuri finds himself moved from an animal zoo to a political one. As the food/drink taster for the dying Iron Man, Yuri is a fly-on-the-wall to the machinations of the leaders of the Soviet Union and the brutality that Communism rains down on the people. It's a humorous/horrific look at a group of people so entrenched in power that they believe everyone around them to be suspect, all told through the innocent eyes of a twelve year old whose positive outlook on life endears him to some while threatening others. A sometimes funny, slightly sad satire of communist politics, this book is a must read for those who are interested in Stalin's reign and the political climate at the end of his life. I feel this could have been fleshed out a little more but overall was a good read.

I received an ARC of this from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this novel but I've always been a fan of Russian history so I thought I'd give it a go. The novel is taken from the perspective of 12 year old Yuri during 1954. Yuri is actually a really smart kid who is constantly underestimated since he suffered a brain injury and a million other things, which cause him to ask constant questions without a normal filter. His father is a vet and is called in to see to the needs of a dying Joseph Stalin. This is because Stalin has just recently ordered for all the doctors to be imprisoned and tortured since they are apparently trying to kill key political figures. Along with Stalin, Yuri gives all the other key political figures involved, nicknames, so for whatever reason, I didn't clue in that the man Yuri had befriended was actually Stalin. I had to do a quick look up on wikipedia of the time period so I could have a base understanding of what was going on. Even though this book was a political satire about the time, it's horrifying to think that these events actually happened...well most of them. It's even more interesting to see them through the rosy coloured lens of an innocent child.
While incredibly entertaining and well written, this novel hits on serious issues that stay with you and keep you thinking long after you've finished reading it. I wanted a bit more from the ending but I'm satisfied. I'd recommend for lovers of Russian history.

This was interesting but I wasn't really connected to the main character. It was a good story and the plot was good except the main character seemed slightly weirder than normal

This is a wonderfully different read after reading several books that were similar or lacked spark. Also a nice cross-over to senior YA. Intriguing characters. Simply a great read.

A very interesting book. Told from the perspective of a young boy with brain damage, it is a curious look at the behind the scenes of the end of Stalin's reign. Yuri's voice is unique and certainly childlike. His innocent naiveness is well done, not over done, and lends an endearing quality to an otherwise cold and cruel story. Wilson injects humour and warmth into a story showing the very worst of human nature. Solid read, would recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction that is twisty and dark but humorous as well

A unique tale of a 12.1/2 year old who has 'impulsitivity because of cerebral trauma'., due to a couple of accidents. Yurt , born in 1940 in the Motherland, talks a lot and asks many questions, often inappropriately, but also somehow gives off an aura that encourages others to tell him their secrets. He lives with his Papa who is a Prof. of Vet services in Kapital Zoo specializing in animal brains. He is forced to attend a high ranking official for medical reasons and takes his 'imbecile' son with him claiming he is his aide. The official takes a shine to Yuri and keeps him at his side to taste all his food in case it is poisoned. Papa is not seen again. It is a story of bullying, power and brutality, but written from Yuri's perspective it takes on a unique quality. Well worth reading.

While I don't think a smart tagline is a comparison to Catch 22 - as that novel is a classic, and when comparing your novel to a classic is a serious risk.

I did enjoy this read. Having slight familiar knowledge of Stalin/ history, It was a good satirical approach to end of Stalin's regime.

Christopher Wilson wrote about the last days of Stalin’s regime in a satirical way that was hilarious and easy to understand! If you’re someone who isn’t really into history like me, then don’t worry. It won’t be a huge issue!

The level of paranoia in here is insane. I don’t think there was a better way to write this. The Zoo even had me paranoid at times, questioning who should be trusted or not. I probably would’ve known this had I actually stayed awake during history, but hey. Guessing who was bad and who was badder is part of the fun in this book!