The Union Moujik

By: Janvier Chando, Janvier Chouteu-Chando

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

The Union Moujik is a story centered on Boris Kukinovich Petrenkov, a larger-than-life former Soviet civil engineer, apparatchik, and war veteran who embodies the ideals and contradictions of the Soviet era. Now in retirement in the rugged beauty of Southern Yakutia (Sakha) in Siberia’s Russian Far East, Boris lives a simple, grounded life close to nature and the common people—his beloved “muzhiks” (peasants).


A train journey through Siberia rekindles Boris’s memories of the Soviet Union’s heyday—particularly his role in ambitious projects like the Baikal-Amur Mainline (BAM) railway—and forces him to confront the disillusionment, chaos, and identity crises following the USSR’s collapse. His navigation of the post-Soviet world is expressed through themes of lost ideals, lingering nostalgia for Soviet harmony, ethnic diversity, nationalism, and the enduring spirit of ordinary Russians.


The rich cast of characters expresses a full spectrum of emotions—grace, anger, regret, hope, and tenderness as we delve into the “turmoil of the souls” of individuals and a nation questioning its identity. Russia (and Siberia in particular) then emerges as a mysterious, almost mystical land of curses, blessings, and revelations, raising profound questions about whether the Russian people hold a special place in history.


Blending personal introspection, historical reflection, and vivid depictions of Siberian life, the author crafts a story that is a character-driven journey through the end of one era and the uncertain birth of another, an epic that celebrates resilience, human connection across ethnic lines, and the practical, selfless spirit of those who built the Soviet dream—even as that dream unravels.


The immersive storytelling, cultural depth, and exploration of big ideas about ideology, belonging, and the human cost of historical upheaval give this novel its peculiar flavor.

The dreadful dialogue

A diverse number of men in an imaginary democratic socialist country sit in a tavern lamenting the break up of the Soviet Union. Argue for reuniting Ukraine with Russia. Dreadful dialogue and performance. Unimaginative political rant.