Vladimir Sharov, a writer and historian, author of the cult novels 'Rehearsals,' 'Before and During,' 'The Old Girl,' and 'Be Like Children,' has never been afraid to tarnish his reputation as a serious prose writer. His favorite technique is historical reality, seemingly turned upside down, while remaining true to biblical stories.

His new novel, 'Return to Egypt' (winner of the 'Big Book' and 'Russian Booker' prizes), is a story told through the letters of a family related to... Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol. The 20th century, a string of people, happy and unhappy destinies, before the revolution, annual gatherings at a Little Russian estate to stage and perform 'The Government Inspector' together; later, some died, others left, and still others went into hiding. And – a strange idea, passed down from generation to generation – if the classic had finished his poem “Dead Souls,” Russian history would have taken a different path…