A complex novel portraying the many layers of a nation, Perestroika: An Eye for an Eye, a Tooth for a Tooth is a reflection of the events that have shaped the world in the 20th and 21st centuries.
This historical fiction opens in the year 1978 in the fictional country of Slavia. Part of the Soviet Union, the country is ruled by a dictator, Alfred Ionescu. As all countries under an authoritarian regime, the society is sharply divided between the rich and the poor, the favoured and the discarded. Moral, ethical, economical, judicial depravity mark the regime.
The plot of Perestroika rests on the current Russian aggression against Ukraine and the threat of a third world war. It’s like a warning of sorts, a possible future outcome. The central theme of the book is based on Pilate’s question to Jesus “What is truth?”
The book has multiple characters and the fate of each is well defined. Everyone has a truth and each character lives their truth. Perhaps, in their own ways they aren’t guilty of being part of the atrocities, but then every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
It isn’t an easy narrative, laden with many lives and all the heinous crimes that exist in current times. From incest and paedophilia, to prostitution, drugs, poverty and more, the readers find all the shades of darkness and the seedier side of life. Slavia is a country ridden in poverty, debt and lacks human rights.
The author draws significant contrasts between communism and capitalism. There is no balance, for capitalism and the American ways are clearly the winners in current times. The freedom of the West lies in stark contrast with the mental prison of Slavia and its outdated policies. Wolf in a sheep’s clothing—the state-controlled country lacks the political will to offer a good life to its citizens.
However, in between there are hues of arts, literature, nature, reflecting the power of creativity to influence the people and open their minds to new possibilities.
Despite the gloomy environment of a deprived country, where concentration camps, mental and physical torture reign, there are tiny lights of hope. Helena, the Commissar of Education, intent of inculcating good practices to educate the youth, hoping for a New Man and Woman to flower. Then there is Igor Olin, the Commissar of Economics, who does no succumb to corruption while in power, though he has a challenged son. Ruth Meyers, the director of the orphanage, who tries to save the children from sexual abuse by Zut Zdanov, the Commissar of Culture.
The concentration camp, supposedly a re-education camp, is a pitiful place with the harshest of conditions, an indifference to human plight. The fate of the people is sealed when they land here, a camp that is also exploited by the fearsome gangster, Koba or Ivan Fiorov. This character is reminiscent of world leaders, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.
Shift to 1989, the second part of the book when Perestroika, the reform movement by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, is launched. This is the undoing of the government. Youth take to the streets; protests abound and the president is toppled over.
Under the mask of democracy, Ivan Fiorov becomes the new president. And that’s the end of the old regime and its office bearers. Their fate takes the same turn that they subjected the people under their care. The cycle of life thus continues, corruption takes another form. The meek and the honest don’t get a chance to be pillars of governance.
This is a different kind of authoritarian police in place now. Journalists and intellectuals are murdered. Old sins resurface to be avenged and new sins are committed, keeping the wheel of hatred and injustice rolling.
Pelf, power and privileges are fickle mistresses, puppets in the hands of manipulators. The themes of ego, greed, power, death of values dominate the end as well.
Overall, the book reminds one of the epochs in which there was suppression of the proletariat and the bourgeoisie encashed on the opportunity to create wealth and take hold of matters of governance. It is a slow read, a book that will propel you to think about the many layers in the world around you, irrespective of boundaries.
Author João Cerqueira lives in his native town Viana do Castelo, Portugal. With a PhD in Art History from the University of Porto, he is a professor at ESE, School of Education at P. PORTO, and a columnist for the newspaper Sun. He has authored nine books, been published in eight countries. Perestroika has won many awards in Portugal.
Book Details
Publisher: 8th House Publishing
Language: English
Paperback: 402 pages
Buy on Amazon (Kindle edition available)
The book has been originally written in Portugese and translated into English by Garry Craig Powell
This post is part of the Bookish League blog hop hosted by Bohemian Bibliophile
Queen of Treasures 
I think stories themed on the camplife sometimes seem difficult to absorb. because they tell you so many truths and show you what it actually feels when someone is caught in the other side of life. Have read a few books on Bangladesh Liberation War, couldn’t read them at a stretch or in a single go. Had to take breaks in between my visits to them.
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Yes, I also find these books exhausting . Nevertheless, they serve the purpose of spreading awareness of the dark side of life.
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The title of the book reminded me of the hard times in school to byheart the spellings of the book written by Mikhail Gorbachev- perestroika and glasnost
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These lines struck me the most, “The meek and the honest don’t get a chance to be pillars of governance” and “new sins are committed, keeping the wheel of hatred and injustice rolling”
Makes one ponder if there’s any hope at all for the world becoming better because we just keep replacing one evil with another in places of power. This seems to be a moving and thought provoking read. Will check it out
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It is thought provoking for sure
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I have just started listening to the adaptation of 1984 by George Orwell on Audible and this book matches quite a bit of what 1984 also talks about. Such pieces are so essential if for nothing else then to remind us, again and again, just what lows we can go to, if we forget our own history.
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And the lows we live with. 1984 on my list as well
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Sounds like a bleak and dark world we live in, no? There’s rarely ever justice in the world — no matter who leads and what ideology is in power. This book seems to essentially convey a similar theme.
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Yeah. I personally feel all this tussle is a waste of time
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I have read and watched a lot of books and movies about repressive regimes and communism and despite your comprehensive review I would have given this a pass had I not seen the author’s credentials which make this book more realistic to me.
Reading about that era helps me appreciate what I have. How easy is this book to read? Often too many facts and characters can make a book a tough and unengaging read.
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The style is simple probably because the translator has kept it an easy read
But it’s deeply moving .
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Wow this book seems to have a lot going on. Exhaustive is surely what it would be. However, slow reads are not for me. But maybe in the near future I may try to read it. It’s intriguing, too!
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This blog beautifully captures the essence of Perestroika—a haunting reflection on power, corruption, and humanity’s cyclical struggles. I’m intrigued by the complex characters and moral dilemmas. Definitely adding this thought-provoking, layered novel to my reading list!
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Hope you enjoy it.
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The title reminded me of Gorbachev’s Perestroika but as I read along, I liked the fictionalized setting that delves into the contemporary socio-political issues in this book. Really appreciate your insightful review of the book, adding it to my TBR.
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That is the basis of the book. The shift that seems to change the game but it’s only perception
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Sounds like a dark and heavy read. The cover is very striking. For some reason, it gives me the impression of Bengali literature.
Nicely written review.
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It is a heavy read, though the story is realistic
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This book seems like a powerful exploration of political power and human struggles. The themes of corruption and the cyclical nature of power really resonate with the times we live in.
I’m definitely adding it to my reading list—it sounds like it will give me plenty to reflect on.
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Seems a very interesting read, especially in the context of the ongoing war. Thanks for sharing.
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I do not prefer historical fiction and this seems like a deep exhausting read. Not sure ifI will pick it up anytime soon but thank you for the review.
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It seems like a difficult but an important read. Slavia may be fictional but reality is far more grim. Adding the book to my TBR. Thanks for sharing about it. Currently not in a state of mind but I will be picking it up for sure.
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