Aw, Cement is charming in its own way, as an artifact of Soviet Russia in the 1920s. I wouldn't read it on it's own as a literary masterwork, but it's useful fo

Aw, Cement is charming in its own way, as an artifact of Soviet Russia in the 1920s. I wouldn't read it on it's own as a literary masterwork, but it's useful for understanding early Soviet culture. It also came out during the height of Soviet Russia's 'ликбез' campaign against illiteracy, so it doesn't surprise me that you think the Russian is basic. It's funny that I didn't notice that when I originally read it - I guess my Russian was pretty basic too!