The History of a Town

Historical Context and Significance

«The History of a Town» by Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin is a satirical novel that mocks the bureaucracy, despotism, and absurdity of power in 19th-century Russia. The book is a chronicle of the fictional town of Glupov and its rulers, each embodying various vices and flaws of society. Saltykov-Shchedrin uses grotesque and hyperbole to highlight the absurdity and cruelty of the ruling classes. The novel had a significant impact on Russian literature and culture, becoming a classic example of political satire. It remains relevant, emphasizing the cyclical nature of history and the constancy of human nature.