A warm, atmospheric story in the spirit of Soviet magical realism about the search for and discovery of the True Artist within, despite the demonic bureaucracy's opposition.

Vladimir Danilov, a demon under contract, works as a viola player at the Bolshoi Theater. He enjoys his earthly life: music lessons, gatherings with friends, and the rest of the Moscow bustle. He's even met the girl of his dreams, lab assistant Natasha. But one circumstance troubles him: the demonic court has set a time for him called 'H.' In agonizing anticipation of his fate, Danilov is forced to look after his lyceum classmate Karmadon, who has turned into a huge blue bull, run around on orders from his ex-wife Klavdia, and watch as he increasingly turns into a man...
'Viola Player Danilov' opens the 'Ostankino Stories' cycle by Vladimir Orlov (1936-2014) and is one of the most striking examples of Soviet magical realism. Beneath the subtle satire lie the eternal questions of Russian literature about the fate of the Creator, the struggle between good and evil, and the search for the true self in this complex world.
The 'Ostankino Stories' cycle includes the novels 'Viola Player Danilov' (1980), 'The Pharmacist' (1988), and 'Shevrikuka, or Love for a Ghost' (1993).