In Moscow there is a cemetery called "Vagankov's." It was established by Catherine the Great to hold the remains of those who had succumbed to the plague. During the Great Purge, it's said to have been a site where the executed were forced to dig their own graves. (I mostly remember it for being the burial place of legendary singer-songwriter Vysotsky, as well as other famous people like the poet Yesenin.)

What was intended by giving the protagonist the name "Vagankov" (if anything) is unclear - "digging their own graves" might be closest to it. Vagankov appears in several realms (that remind me somewhat of Mortis Ghost's OFF) and, saintlike, grants the unhealthy occupants their unhealthy desires. It's up to scrutiny whether Vagankov really is trying his best to help people - those he assists seem to think he's playing the devil, and he is punished accordingly. In the cryptic ending, he meets people who are unable to hurt him in the customary way (you'll see what I mean when you get there), and he grants them the ability to do so. Maybe it touches on Girard's scapegoat theory? I don't know, a lot of this went over my head. I did find the first realm of people, who seem primarily interested in polishing their autobiographies, kind of haunting, as a writer who's fallen into the habit of going out and having experiences primarily to inform my art and not for their own sake. I had to sit and chew on that for a while.

Ultimately, it's not a waste of time. The fable will give you something to think about for a few minutes, but I don't think anyone will be strongly emotionally moved, it's a bit too opaque for that, although I found the ending a little touching. You'll want to go over this one a second and third time.

Review appears on Amazon and Goodreads.

This is a very abstract story, and I felt a little confused. As a work of art, I'd say it is abstract as well. Personally, I wouldn't find myself purchasing this book, but maybe flipping through it at a store. For anyone looking for a book with more structure, this isn't for you.

An illustrated, satirical fable about a strange man, who keeps helping people. It's more complicated, but let's allow the reader to find out.

5 stars, ignoring personal preference, because the story does exactly what a fable needs to do: Encourage thinking. Multiple reads recommended.
The art itself is simple and straightforward, interloped with casual narration, and again, it achieves what it needs to, and I don't think we can require it to do more.

I hope this piece will find its readers! Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for an ARC for an honest review.

I honestly don’t know if it’s just me but I just didn’t get this…

Like they are giving a message here about cults and brainwashing but what were they supposed to be about yknow?

Yeah I just didn’t get this so book ain’t for me chief 🤷🏻‍♀️

Thanks anyways Netgalley and publisher for allowing me to read it for free!