S.N.U.F.F. by Victor Pelevin

Description

"S.N.U.F.F." by Victor Pelevin is a dystopian science fiction novel that satirizes modern society, politics, media, and human nature. Set in a grim future, the story takes place in two contrasting societies: Big Byz, a highly developed, flying city inhabited by a privileged elite obsessed with technology, virtual reality, and superficial pleasures; and Urkaina (or Urka), an impoverished, brutal, and backward land on the ground populated by people considered barbaric by Big Byz standards. The novel centers on Damilola Karpov, a drone pilot who creates "S.N.U.F.F." films—videos of real-life military conflicts turned into entertainment for Big Byz citizens. These staged wars are designed to maintain social control and distract the population while exploiting and oppressing Urka. Damilola is a complex character, torn between his role in this exploitative system and his own existential reflections. His job involves orchestrating violent spectacles under the pretense of humanitarian intervention, but in reality, they are exploitative performances that feed the voyeuristic appetites of Big Byz. Pelevin uses sharp satire to explore themes such as media manipulation, consumerism, propaganda, and the dehumanizing effects of technology. The term "S.N.U.F.F." in the novel refers not only to the fictional genre of filmed killings but also serves as an acronym for "Special Newsreel Universal Feature Film." It critiques how media turns violence and suffering into entertainment and questions the moral emptiness of societies that consume such spectacles without compassion. Through dark humor and philosophical insights, Pelevin reflects on contemporary issues like imperialism, cultural superiority, and the commodification of war. He paints a bleak but sharply intelligent portrait of a future where humanity's worst instincts are amplified by technology and power, yet he also leaves room for moments of personal introspection and ethical questioning. Overall, S.N.U.F.F. is a satirical, thought-provoking, and often unsettling novel that forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about modern civilization and its trajectory.