A surreal journey through three stories arguably: Brik's, Lazarus Averbuch's and his family's (whose story is based on a real one) and the author's. Brik becomes more unlikable as the story goes on, and it likely is intentional. By contrast, Lazarus' stoey only becomes more sad and depressing. A lot of the author is in Brik's story, and indeed much of his background is Brik's. Its well worth a read, even if you come to want less of Brik. 4/5.