P. I. Filimonov

P. I. Filimonov (1975) is a Russian writer living in Estonia, who appeared on the Estonian literary scene in the 2000s with just one commendable aim: to stay. His debut Зона неевклидовой геометрии (2007) was well received and four Estonian translations of his works have since been published. Thalassa! Thalassa!, published in 2013, is noteworthy for its cosmopolitan grasp and social nerve – it deals, among other things, with sects – and is characterised by the author as ‘a novel/miracle cure’. Filimonov’s work, in general, exudes healthy irony that sometimes veers towards bitterness. Even though the blurb of Зона неевклидовой геометрии calls the author ‘a vulgar geezer in shapeless trackies, lounging on the sofa, drinking beer, watching football on the TV, who lazily muses on the meaning of everything in the 15-minute half-time’, the real-life Flimonov is a noteworthy member of the stylish baldheads’ club – Estonian literature has its share, from August Gailit to Paavo Matsin – and he writes in a sober way, yet skillfully plays with the absurdities of life and literature.