In this poignant and darkly humorous memoir, Sonya Vesterholt recounts her experiences growing up in Leningrad during the Stalin era and the post-Stalin "thaw." This collection of memories, stories, and jokes conveys personal experiences of historical events in the Soviet Union. Characters collide with the oppressive state espionage system that interferes in their personal lives and explore key moments from the author’s childhood and youth. With both humor and bitterness, readers discover Sonya’s routine heroism and resistance to state power as well as ironic details of everyday life. Under these circumstances, something as seemingly straightforward as a short message about the dog’s health becomes a symbol of victory over fear and absurdity.