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Limonov is not a fictional character, but he could have been. He's lived a hundred lives. He was a hoodlum in Ukraine, an idol of the Soviet underground, punk-poet and valet to a billionaire in Manhattan, fashion writer in Paris, lost soldier in the Balkans, and now, in the chaos after the fall of communism a charismatic party leader of a gang of political desperados. 'Limonov was a rogue; a bum, a multimillionaire's valet; a fashionable writer in Paris; a lost soldier in the Balkan wars; and now, in the chaotic ruins of postcommunist Russia, the charismatic leader of a party of young desperados. He sees himself as a hero; you might call him a scumbag . . . ' 'Brilliant, exhilarating.' Rosamund Bartlett, Daily Telegraph 'Emmanuel Carrère has found a perfect subject in Edward Limonov, the self-described Johnny Rotten of Soviet dissident writers . . . a galloping, picaresque gonzo biography.' Rachel Donadio,The New York Times 'Completely riveting, immediately hooks the reader . . . It's been a spectacular roller coaster life, and Emmanuel Carrère has turned it into an equally spectacular book.' Michael Dirda,Washington Post 'Electrifying.' The New Yorker