A summary of "Happy Russia" by Boris Akunin

This book is a historical novella with dystopian elements, written in 2017. Set in the autumn of 1937, the narrative combines a description of the harsh reality of Stalin’s repressions with philosophical reflections on the ideal state structure. The work seamlessly complements the author’s extensive series devoted to the analysis of Russian history.

Service in the security agencies

NKVD detective Filipp Blyakhin is in deep shock. His longtime patron, high-ranking party official Karp Myagkov, has suffered a severe stroke. Blyakhin visits the patient in the Kremlin hospital, where the elderly Professor Knopfer dryly informs him that there is no hope of recovery; the patient will remain in a permanent vegetative state. Blyakhin realizes his extreme vulnerability. Without his influential handler, his career and physical existence are in daily jeopardy. Filipp recalls his recent duty in the execution cellar, where convicts were shot in the back of the head. The fear of ending up in their place haunts the Chekist constantly.

Blekhin serves in the secret political department under the ruthless Captain Solomon Schwantz. The captain enjoys drawing monkeys on scraps of paper and despises ideological slogans. Schwantz is convinced that a Soviet citizen is capable of work only under the influence of animal fear. The captain tasks Filipp with studying the case files of the underground organization "Happy Russia." This small group of Moscow intellectuals discussed new paths for the country’s development at secret tea parties. The leader of the group, former historian Nikita Kvashnin, shot himself with a dueling pistol during an arrest attempt. Diplomat Sergei Kroll and writer Luka Kumushkin were placed in cells in the internal prison. A fourth member, former monk "Brother Ilarius," managed to escape. Blekhin begins reading the confiscated manuscripts.

Theories of state reorganization

Kvashnin’s report describes the history of Russian power in detail. The historian proves that the true founder of the state was Ivan III, who laid a solid "Horde" foundation. The main characteristics of this system were: rigid centralization, the sacralization of the ruler, the supremacy of the leader’s will over any law, militarism, and the absolute priority of state interests over the rights of citizens. Kvashnin is convinced that the Soviet regime restored this archaic despotism in its bloodiest forms.

A former professor proposes his own detailed plan for the country’s renewal. The core of the plan is maximum decentralization and the division of territories into economically self-sufficient federal republics. The capital is proposed to be moved to the geographic center of the continent. The electoral system is to be meritocratic. Voting rights will be granted only after passing civic maturity exams. Political power will be vested in individuals with high electoral ratings, based on education and social service. Wealthy citizens will receive the unique right to choose which projects their increased taxes will be used for. The country’s highest authority is to be the Council of Elders — an independent body of recognized moral authorities, with veto power over any government decision.

In his text, diplomat Sergei Kroll sharply polemicizes with Kvashnin on foreign policy issues. The former official rejects the idea of isolationism, citing the historical decline of the closed civilizations of China and Japan. He preaches an ideology of humane expansionism. The future country should strive for global leadership through high culture and a strong economy. Kroll believes it is necessary to create a specialized Ministry of Russophilia. The agency will generously fund the translation of classic books, cinema, and cutting-edge art. The diplomat proposes dividing the world into concentric circles of influence, gradually spreading domestic standards of living across the planet without the use of military force.

A look into the distant future

The writer Svobodin’s voluminous manuscript is a complete science fiction story set in the 22nd century. The Eurasian Federation is isolated from the outside weather by a giant transparent dome. The population enjoys an ideal southern climate. Social life is completely controlled by a global System of Personal Analysis and Assistance. The computing complex remotely monitors health, selects jobs based on innate abilities, automatically assigns managers, and finds marriage partners for citizens.

The story’s protagonist, Karl Veter, director of the Federal Security Service, investigates the strange disappearance of Maxim Staritsky. Karl discovers the scientist’s headless body hidden in the basement of a private home. He is actively assisted in his investigation by Karolina, a brilliant female astronomer. Analyzing an old unsolved murder case involving another academic, Veter uncovers terrifying facts.

For years, the country’s regulator, Stepan Nozhik, has been secretly manipulating electronics to maintain his grip on power. The politician is preparing to launch Project Angel — the implantation of an electronic chip in every citizen, which will ultimately deprive humanity of free will. Karolina takes Karl to a mountain weather station, where she confesses: she is a biomachine created by aliens. In a secret room, Karl sees Staritsky’s living head, communicating via telepathy. The aliens are trying to prevent the degradation of humanity and offer Karl the chance to become a secret agent. Veter refuses to be their puppet.

Operational development and rescue

Returning to the dark events of 1937, Blyakhin faces a real threat. Schwantz decides to arrest the surgeon Klobukov to extract information about the escaped monk Ilarion. Blyakhin has long known Klobukov from his service at the front. The doctor knows full well that Philip had faithfully worked for the executed enemy of the people, Pankrat Rogachov. If Klobukov is interrogated, he will surely reveal this fact, and Blyakhin faces inevitable execution. Philip secretly waits for the surgeon near the clinic. Blyakhin informs Klobukov that his wife, Mirra Nosik, has already been detained by the Cheka. Through threats of terrible torture, he forces the grief-stricken doctor to confess: the monk has gone to pray in the Sarov monastery.

A newly discovered text by Hilarion himself prophesies the future of the church. The former monk openly welcomes state persecution of religion. He is confident that the complete loss of government support will forever cleanse Christianity of self-interest and hypocrisy. In the future, religion will completely renounce gender inequality, cease blessing bloody wars, and end the slaughter of animals.

Captain Schwantz keeps his word and detains Mirra Nosik. Blyakhin witnesses the humiliating process of stripping and searching her body in the reception area. The woman defiantly refuses to comply, violently resists, and digs her nails into Schwantz’s face. The captain, enraged by the pain, beats the detainee to death with his heavy boots. The incident gives Blyakhin a lead, but Schwantz still plans to use Philip as a scapegoat in the upcoming trial.

The climax comes during the interrogation of diplomat Kroll. General Commissar Nikolai Yezhov suddenly enters the office. Noticing Schwantz’s fear, Kroll resorts to a desperate bluff. The condemned man claims that the interrogator mockingly called the People’s Commissar a "dwarf" and a "monkey." Blyakhin realizes this is his only chance for salvation. He confirms Kroll’s lie and shows Yezhov a cartoonish drawing of a monkey in a cage, carelessly left on Schwantz’s desk. The enraged commissar immediately dismisses the captain.

Philipp successfully escapes reprisals. The Chekist is transferred to a quiet position in a provincial department overseeing light industry. Blyakhin clearly understands that blindly serving the big bosses is mortally dangerous. He decides to radically change his life and become the absolute master of his own destiny. Returning to his apartment, Philipp brutally beats his haughty wife Eva, knocking out her front teeth. He forces her to crawl on her knees and obey him unquestioningly. The Chekist intends to immediately remove his illegitimate son, Fima, from the state-run boarding school. Feeling absolute power within the walls of his home, Blyakhin circles the date on the calendar with a red pencil, rejoicing at the beginning of a new, prosperous life.