Pierre, DBC: *1961
Ludmila's Broken English, 2006 - Information about the Book
- General Information
- Determined to save her family from starvation in the face of marauding troops, Ludmila's journey into the world and into womanhood is an odyssey of sour wit, even sourer vodka.
- Information from Wikipedia.
- Pierre’s life of moving between countries—Mexico, Australia, Europe—after personal and financial upheavals mirrors the novel’s exploration of cultural contrasts. He traveled to the Caucasus to research the book.
Pierre’s early life of drug abuse, legal troubles, and financial recklessness resonates with the novel’s dark humor and grotesque elements. The bizarre antics of the separated conjoined twins, Blair and Gordon (named after British politicians), reflect a world gone mad—a theme Pierre admitted he felt compelled to include due to the absurdity he perceived in contemporary society.
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- Facts
- Awards:
The novel did not win any major literary awards. It received mixed reviews from critics upon its release in 2006. The New York Times review stated "It is a very sad thing to report, but this novel, unlike its predecessor, does not work." - Ludmila
The protagonist, a young woman from the fictional former Soviet nation of Ublilsk-Kuzhniskia. She has green eyes, pretty hair, and unusual breasts described as having "nipples like tiny dog-snouts quivering up". Determined to escape poverty and her lecherous grandfather's attempts to sexually abuse her, Ludmila seeks her fortune in the West as a mail-order bride.Blair Albert and Gordon-Marie Heath
Formerly conjoined twins from northern England who were surgically separated at age 33. After being separated, Blair becomes a polenta-loving free market capitalist, while Gordon retains his working-class ways and is nicknamed "Bunny" due to his "generous ears and snaggle teeth". Their contrasting personalities serve as a clunky satire.Ludmila's Relatives
Her peasant family in Ublilsk-Kuzhniskia, including her lecherous grandfather who tries to sodomize her, her mother, brother, and grandmother. They speak in broken, mangled English full of insults like "Smack your cuckoo!" and "Cut your spastic hatch!" despite being portrayed as speaking their native "Ubli" language.Developed by AI
- Parallel Narratives
The novel follows two initially separate narratives - one set in the UK involving conjoined twins Blair and Gordon "Bunny" Heath who were surgically separated at age 33, and the other set in the war-torn Southern Caucasus region following Ludmila Derev, a young impoverished woman.Satire and Dark Comedy
Like Pierre's debut, "Ludmila's Broken English" employs satire and dark comedy. The novel satirizes globalization, privatization, the free market economy, and Western attitudes towards Eastern Europe. The characters use crass, absurd language and find themselves in bizarre, over-the-top situations.Themes of Identity and Independence
After being conjoined for 33 years, Blair and Bunny struggle to establish their own identities and independence after being surgically separated. Ludmila also seeks independence by trying to escape her impoverished village life.Cultural Clashes
The novel explores clashes between Western and Eastern European cultures through the interactions of characters like Blair, Bunny, Ludmila and her family. Their language barriers and cultural misunderstandings are a source of humor but also insight.Mixed Critical Reception
While praised for its linguistic flair and audacious satire by some, the novel received mixed reviews from critics who found the plot lacking in momentum and the humor excessive at times.In summary, "Ludmila's Broken English" combines biting satire, dark comedy, and an examination of clashing cultures and identities through its dual narratives and eccentric cast of characters.
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- The novel's style, characterized by its dark humor and satirical tone, is a defining feature. Critics noted Pierre's distinctive narrative voice, which blends sharp wit with a critical eye on contemporary society.
While some praised the novel for its originality and Pierre's bold narrative choices, others found it challenging or disjointed. The complexity of the plot and the fragmented storytelling received mixed reactions.
The novel was noted for its incisive commentary on the state of the world, touching on the absurdities and injustices of contemporary society. Pierre's critique of modern life resonated with some readers but felt overly cynical or heavy-handed to others.
Overall, "Ludmila's Broken English" generated a polarized response. Its ambitious narrative and stylistic experimentation were seen as both strengths and weaknesses, depending on the perspective of the reader.
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- Author
- In the southern Caucasus Pierre met refugees who fled to Azerbaijan from Armenia. He said that doing this - "as close as I could get to a fractured border without getting shot or kidnapped" - made him realise his initial draft was "too rosy."From BBC World; March 21, 2006
"They've been in a technical ceasefire for 15 years, but nothing has happened since the day of that ceasefire - all the things that keep a society going have completely broken down...
"They are living without windows, without heating, without food...
"In the towns I visited, no less that half the population is mentally retarded - due to incest, due to cultural beliefs that the best thing to do with a retarded child is marry him to another retarded child and cast them loose. It was just devastating." - From an evening with DBC Pierre. Host: Albert M. Debrunner. SwissEduc. Literaturhaus, Basel; November 13, 2007:
- Language showing the cultural differences
- English for foreign characters
- Using profane langague
- The profane langague of the Ublis
- The romantic aspect of the novel
- Language showing the cultural differences
- DBC Pierre takes second chance: "Mainly about the 'second novel syndrome'." BBC; March 21, 2006
- Articles
- The agony and the ecstasy. Los Angles Times; May 7, 2006