The Queue

“The line is life itself.”

The Queue by Vladimir Sorokin is an experimental novel that captures the absurdity and monotony of Soviet life through the lens of people waiting in an endless line for an unspecified product. The narrative unfolds almost entirely through fragmented, overlapping dialogue, with minimal narration, immersing the reader in the chaotic yet mundane experience of Soviet bureaucracy.

Early Waiting

The novel begins with a crowd of people standing in a seemingly endless queue. No one knows exactly what they are waiting for, but rumors circulate—perhaps it’s foreign jeans, meat, or some other scarce commodity. The line itself becomes a microcosm of Soviet society, with its hierarchies, gossip, and fleeting alliances.

Shifting Dynamics

As time passes, the line evolves. People come and go, some cutting in, others leaving in frustration. Relationships form—flirtations, arguments, and brief friendships—only to dissolve as the queue inches forward. The lack of a clear purpose for the wait heightens the absurdity, yet everyone remains obediently in place.

Nightfall and Disillusionment

When night falls, the queue takes on a surreal quality. Some sleep, others keep vigil, and a few even engage in petty crime. The initial patience gives way to exhaustion and disillusionment, yet no one abandons the line entirely—hope, however faint, persists.

The Queue Continues

By the end, the line remains unresolved. The product, if it ever existed, is never revealed. The novel closes as it began, with people still waiting, their lives suspended in an endless cycle of anticipation and futility.

Key Ideas

• The absurdity of Soviet bureaucracy and scarcity
• The dehumanizing effects of endless waiting
• Collective obedience and passive resistance
• The line as a metaphor for Soviet life
• The fragility of social bonds under pressure