Genius loci of the novel “The Days of Savely” by G. Sluzhitel'

Abstract

   The action of the novel “The Days of Savely” by G. Sluzhitel' is laid at an exact geographical address. The events begin to unfold in Moscow, in Shelaputinsky Lane, in a banana Chiquita box near Savva Morozov’s mansion and the Klara Zetkin maternity hospital. Further on, all the movements of the main character, all the mentioned places are strictly documented and recognizable. Savely is a Moscow onlooker, philosopher and a subtle lyricist. Judging by the type of openness and confidentiality of his conversation with the reader, he is undoubtedly the Alter Ego of the author. But you need to use this definition with a reservation. Gregory Sluzhitel' entrusts his amazing, stylistically impeccable vision of modern Moscow … to the Cat. Savely the Cat is decidedly different from its glorious predecessors – the Hofman’s cat Murr; the Hippo (Begemot), M. Bulgakov’s cat, T. S. Eliot’s cats and the other worthy representatives of this breed in literature. Savely is interested in people’s relationships, their psychology, the mystery of life and death, beauty, and most of all – love. Savely’s worldview, his life story, from the moment of birth to his death are presented in an organic unity of the author’s imagination, based on the accuracy of the document of today’s life and the great author’s talent.