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Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Summary edit
The story starts with the country ruled by the Three Fat Men in turmoil - the discontent poor are trying to start a rebellion. The instigators are Gunsmith Prospero and Tibul the Gymnast. After the arrest of Gunsmith Prospero some of the palace guards join the revolt and break the Heir... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)
Characters/People edit
- Dr. Gasper Arneri: An old man. He is the most famous scientist in the country, he sympathize with the ordinary people and their struggles.
- Tibul, the Gymnast: One of the leaders of the rebels. He is an acrobat, circus artists and the best gymnast in the country.
- Prospero: aka Gunsmith Prospero - one of the leaders of the rebels.
- Suok: A 12yo girl, she is Tibul's partner in the acrobatic acts they perform together at circus.
- The Three Fat Men: The rulers of the imaginary country the story takes place in. They are not given names, they are called by numbers "First", "Second", Third" respectively.
- August: The old clown
- Auntie Ganymede: The housekeeper of Dr. Gaspar.
- Heir Tutti: A 12yo boy and the heir to Three Fat Men.
- Onetwothree: The palace dance teacher, he supports the Three Fat Men.
- Tubes: Former palace scientist, the creator of the Heir Tutti's doll.
- Count Bonaventura: The captain of the palace guards.
- Air Balloon Salesman: A man who sells balloons and unwittingly becomes the instrument of the plot.
Quotes edit
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“"Remember this day, remember this hour."”
Prospero -
“Doctor Gaspar Arney – What a clever man is he! He can trap the sliest fox, He can crack the hardest rocks, He can fly from here to Mars, He can reach the farthest stars!”
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“Бывают такие замарашки: сперва не удостоишь их взглядом, а потом, присмотревшись внимательнее, видишь, что такая замарашка милей принцессы, тем более что принцессы иногда превращаются в лягушек или, наоборот, лягушки превращаются в принцесс.”
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“Есть очень хорошее средство от страха: заснуть. Особенно рекомендуется натянуть на голову одеяло.”
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“Девочки ее возраста (12 лет) не страшатся явной опасности. Они не испугаются направленного на них пистолетного дула, но зато им будет страшно остаться в темной комнате.”
About Suok -
“Я не кукла, я живая девочка”
Suok
Glossary edit
Themes & Symbolism edit
- Racism, Classism, And Capitalism: The main theme of the story is a revolution of poor against the repressive wealthy rich. The country is ruled by the Three Fat Men - Tycoons-monopolists type of rulers. The population is divided into "people" and "fat" and their sympathizers, although the precise criteria of this division is unclear. "Fat" (the term does not reflect their actual weight) in general are portrayed as rich, gluttons and loafers, while "people" - as poor, hungry, work-loving. However among the heroes of the novel there are many exceptions to these characteristics. Dr. Gasper Arneri, for example is wealthy, but he is sympathizers of the "people".
- Magic: In the novel there is no magic per se, but some elements are present (or can be viewed as such). For example, Tubes created a doll that could develop externally as a living girl, she would grow at the same rate as Tutti (see spoilers for further info)
- Soul Mates: (click "show spoilers" for further info)
- Sun and Moon: (click "show spoilers" for further info)
- Interaction and Struggle of Man, Beast and Machine: It is speculated that "Tub" may be short for "Tubal-cain" the Biblical metalworker who was the "forger of all instruments of bronze and iron". Tub created a mechanical human (the doll who had the ability to grow/developed as a human), not an automation or a robot, but a mechanical man. It's also implied that it was in his ability to replace a human heart with a perfectly working iron one (even if this replacement suggests a metaphor where iron heart=no feelings/lack of kindness, he had the ability to perform the operation like this). Also, the palace guards are portrayed to be almost robotic like, regaining something of the humanity only toward the end of the book. Lastly, Suok is that miracle who makes Tutti a "real boy" (also see theme Unfeeling Heart and Search for Soul)
- Unfeeling Heart and Search for Soul: A theme that appears in many fairy tales, for examples Christian Andersen's "Snow Queen". However here Tutti, even if he is repeatedly told that he posses an iron (unfeeling) heart, does not becomes cruel. (click "show spoilers" for further info)
- Trickster: A reoccurring theme in many folk tales and myths. Someone who defies rules and normal behavior, thus creating chaos, usually this happens unintentionally but sometimes can be malicious. In this tale there are two of them: one is the air balloon salesman (he creates chaos unintentionally and in a way is helpful) and the other is the palace dance teacher (he is malicious).
- Author's Alter-Ego: Suok and Tutti (see Soul-mates)
Series & Lists edit
This book is in School Library (Школьная Библиотека). (edition-based publisher list)
This book is in Modern Voices. (community list)
Authors & Contributors edit
- Yury Olesha (Author)
Other Contributors:
- Mikhail Bychkov (Illustrator)
- Boris Kalaushin (Illustrator)
- Leonid Vladimirsky (Illustrator)
First Edition edit
Original Language: Russian
Publisher: Add the publisher.
Country: Russia
Publication Date: 1927
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: Add the page count.
Publisher: Add the publisher.
Country: Russia
Publication Date: 1927
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: Add the page count.
Popular Tags
Movie Connections edit
- The Three Fat Men (IMDb): (1966)
More Books Like This edit
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