Margins
The Cavemen Chronicle book cover
The Cavemen Chronicle
2012
First Published
3.89
Average Rating
462
Number of Pages
This novel paints a fascinating portrait of bohemian culture in Estonia in the last quarter of the twentieth century. The "cavemen" in question are the regulars at the underground (both literally and figuratively) bar called "The Cave," including artists, musicians, writers, and philosophers, who escape the dreary Soviet reality "above" with vodka and high-minded discussion in their secret hideaway. The arrival of national independence upsets the balance of these dissidents' lifestyle, and the narrator recounts how each individual adapts to their newfound freedom. "The Cavemen Chronicle" presents an illuminating and thrilling look into life on the fringes of Soviet culture, both pre- and post perestroika, and is also a meditation on what it means to be an Estonian.
Avg Rating
3.89
Number of Ratings
94
5 STARS
23%
4 STARS
45%
3 STARS
30%
2 STARS
2%
1 STARS
0%
goodreads

Author

Mihkel Mutt
Mihkel Mutt
Author · 8 books

Mihkel Mutt studied philology and journalism at the University of Tartu from 1971 to 1976. After completing his studies, he was an editor at a publishing house and for various literary journals until 1987. He's been also a dramatist at a youth theater (Noorsooteater), worked for weekly newspapers. and written scripts for TV-series. Mihkel Mutt was a member of the literary cooperative "Kupar" that was founded in 1987 by ten writers as the first non-state publishing house in the former Soviet Union. From 1992 to 1999 he was the president of PEN Estonia From 1997 to 2005 Mutt headed the cultural journal Sirp. He has been the editor-in-chief of Estonia's foremost literary magazine Looming since November 2005. Mihkel Mutt made his name as a theatre and literary critic and satirist in the early 1970s. His first short stories were published at the end of the decade and his first book came out in 1980. His early prose is characterized by irony and satire. His novels deal with socio-cultural and interpersonal issues, marriage problems etc. Many of his characters are urban intellectuals or artistically inclined dropouts. In his latest novels he has documented the arrival of the free-market economy and open society in Estonia and their impact on various social groups. Beside novels and stories he has published travel books and books for children and continued as a prolific cultural critic. After the restoration of Estonia's independence he started writing columns for various newspapers (mainly about social issues and world politics). He has translated angloamerican authors for the stage (A.Wesker, T.Stoppard, E.O'Neill, D.Pownall etc.) He has been awarded with the Tuglas' Prize (for the best short story of an year in 1981 and 2007) and has twice received the Virumaa Literature Prize for the best historical novel of an year (in 1994 for Rahvusvaheline mees, describing Estonia's pursuit for international recognition, and Kooparahvas läheb ajalukku, whick looks back at the past half a century in Estonia's history. Among his books are novels, short story collections, children's books, travel diaries, essays and criticism, memoires and a play.

548 Market St PMB 65688, San Francisco California 94104-5401 USA
© 2025 Paratext Inc. All rights reserved