The Dissident

Soviet Jewish refusenik Victor Moroz and dissident Oksana are about to be married in Goldberg’s (The Yid; The Château) Cold War novel set in 1976. Albert Schwartz, one of few who knows the scripts and rituals necessary for solemnizing the marriage, has not yet arrived. When Viktor goes looking for him, he discovers Schwartz and his American lover in bed with their heads smashed by an ax. Viktor runs from the horrific scene but is spotted by the authorities. He is immediately summoned by the KGB and offered a deal—if he uncovers the murderer before Henry Kissinger arrives in nine days, his application to immigrate to Israel will be approved. If he does not find the perpetrator, he will be charged with the murders instead. Russian American narrator David Aranovich provides an exemplary performance of Goldberg’s novel, fluently pronouncing Russian phrases and place names. His deft performance immerses listeners in Soviet political culture and the plight of Jewish refuseniks who were used as pawns to impress the West.