The Zekamaron

One Hundred Days from Behind Bars and Eyelashes

One hundred stories written in prison in Belarus in 2021 awaiting trial. While the futures of fellow prisoners hang in the balance, every detail of life is important: from the steps of the cockroach to the snores of cell mates. 

‘It's a terse account of painful experience, prison, bewilderment; hugely atmospheric and extremely funny – full of dry wit and small biting observations.’ - Anna Vaught

‘Maxim Znak's message is that wry humour and humanity trump the cruel absurdities of the regime (.) These stories, one hundred of them, none longer than three pages, have echoes of early Chekhov, Zoshchenko and Samuel Beckett’ - Michael Purs

The 100 tales in Zekameron are based on the 14th Century Decameron, but Znak is closer to Beckett than to Boccaccio. Banality and brutality vie with the human ability to overcome oppression. Znak’s stories in different voices chart 100 days in prison in Belarus today. The tone is laconic, ironic; the humour dry. The stories bear witness to resistance and self-assertion and the genuine warmth and appreciation of fellow prisoners.

Contributor: Jim and Ella Dingley (Translated by), Valzhyna Mort (Introduction by)

Translator: Jim and Ella Dingley

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