“Everything in this world is drinkable—only some things must be filtered first.”
Moscow-Petushki (also known as Moscow to the End of the Line) is a surreal, darkly comic novel by Venedikt Erofeev, blending poetic monologues, drunken hallucinations, and philosophical musings. The story follows Venichka, an alcoholic intellectual, on a disastrous train journey from Moscow to Petushki, a mythical paradise where his lover awaits.
Departure from Moscow
Venichka, fired from his job for charting alcohol consumption statistics, boards a train to Petushki with a bottle of vodka. As he drinks, he reflects on his miserable life, Soviet society, and the absurdity of existence. His monologues shift between lyrical beauty and crude drunken rambling.
The Train Journey
Venichka’s trip devolves into chaos as he interacts with fellow passengers—some real, some imagined—including angels, devils, and historical figures. He recounts past drinking binges, failed relationships, and his longing for redemption. The train becomes a liminal space between reality and delirium.
Arrival in Petushki (or Not)
After endless delays and drunken detours, Venichka never truly reaches Petushki. Instead, he is beaten to death by mysterious thugs in a Moscow stairwell, suggesting his journey was a futile escape from despair. The novel ends ambiguously, blending tragedy and dark humor.
Key Ideas
- Alcoholism as both escape and self-destruction
- The absurdity of Soviet bureaucracy and ideology
- Existential despair masked by dark humor
- Spiritual longing in a godless society
- The blurred line between reality and hallucination
Who should read this book?
- Fans of darkly comic, existential literature
- Readers interested in Soviet-era satire
- Those who appreciate stream-of-consciousness narratives
- Anyone drawn to tragicomic portrayals of addiction