About the work
The novel was published in 1997 and has been translated into German. Lithuanian critics compliment the novel for its ironic plot, grotesque style, intertextuality, playfulness of language, and the carnivalesque form of narrative.
Structure and plot
The novel is written in first person, with the main protagonist, Motiejus, being described as having no particular profession and no permanent residence; in short, a person “without life ideals or reliable income.” The main plot of the novel evolves around two intersecting love affairs of the protagonist. The love triangle ends with the tragic death of Motiejus. The story is fragmented, with an ambiguous plot determined by the narrative principles of phantasmagoria. The novel is full of comical motifs, grotesque elements, carnal imagery and erotic details. The relationship between real and imaginary is playful, enhanced by the extensive usage of irony.