“SCHLOCK” is a deliciously odd collection of four interconnected stories that reads like a fever dream of post-Soviet absurdity. David R. Low crafts a world where Japanese music obsessives chase the ghost of Russian singer Viktor Tsoi through the streets and a cybernetic “Russia Cop” terrorizes the populace while leading an army of tracksuit-wearing orangutans. For the most part, it’s a hilarious, surreal odyssey.
The collection’s opening story “Tsoi Lives” perfectly captures the intense devotion some fans develop to artists, following a young Japanese man’s quixotic quest to find others who share his passion for the legendary Russian rocker. The story deftly balances humor with genuine pathos about the nature of belonging and connection. The author shows a keen understanding of both Japanese and Russian cultures, while avoiding stereotypes or easy characterizations, but most importantly it is just great fun to read.
The centerpiece mockumentary “Russia Cop” is a masterclass in escalating absurdity, starting as a relatively grounded story about law enforcement gone wrong before careening into increasingly bizarre territory. Low commits fully to the premise, playing it completely straight even as the events become more outlandish. The creative documentary format allows for multiple perspectives while maintaining narrative momentum, bringing to mind Danielewski’s “House of Leaves”.
The collection’s final story “Waiting for Deacon” is short but comically funny. The tale follows Australian backpackers harassing a Russian as they await their elusive friend Deacon, likely referencing Waiting for Godot. Most of the stories feature innovative and experimental formats, such as in this one blending podcast transcripts and official announcements from North Korea. The anthology explores cultural divides as a core theme across the stories.
What ties these disparate tales together is Low’s gift for grounding even the most ridiculous scenarios in genuine human emotion and sharp cultural observation. His Russia is both familiar and strange – a place where ancient traditions and modern anxieties collide in unexpected ways. The prose alternates between straight-faced absurdity and moments of surprising tenderness. While occasionally uneven and perhaps too random for some, SCHLOCK succeeds as both a laugh-out-loud satire and a cultural study. Low has created something uniquely hilarious – a book that feels both timely and timeless in its exploration of identity, and what it means to be authentic in an increasingly artificial world.
