How Accurate is Daniil’s Fictional Life in the Late Soviet Union?
Finding Ecstasy takes place in Moscow in the late 1980s, a few years before the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The 1980s was a time of contradiction in Russia.
- Western goods were hot but could only be obtained through the black market.
- Radio jamming had eased but records were a rarity.
- People had money but nothing to buy.
In short, it makes a great setting for a story about criminals.
Instead of bogging down the novel with irrelevant details, I decided to share some of my favorite facts below (along with how they impact Danya’s world).
Business Ventures
Business Ownership Forbidden in the Soviet Union.
Ownership of private businesses was forbidden in the Soviet Union. So Danya’s father manages the nightclub and the cafeteria. Basically the same thing, but without the title.
Video Games
Some Video Game Consoles Would Have Been Unknown.
No one would have owned an NES in the Soviet Union. Instead, they’d have a Dendy, which is basically a clone of the Famicom. I gave Danya one to highlight his privilege and connections.
Arcade Games
Arcade Machines Were Rare, Too.
Orbital has an arcade machine that Danya loves to play, called Skachki (Скачки, Races). In real life, arcade machines were mainly located in places like parks and cinemas. Many of them were Soviet clones of Western machines. They were also immediately out of date.
Radio Jamming
Radio Jamming Ended in 1987.
During the trip to Leningrad, the characters enjoy listening to music from the Western world. Radio jamming officially ended in 1987, the year the book takes place.
Black-Market Jeans
Jeans Were Illegal to Sell, But Popular to Buy.
As much as the government discouraged western fashion, black market sales of jeans thrived in the Soviet Union. It’s a perfect product for a teenager like Danya to sell.
Car Shortages
Shortages Meant Waiting Up to a Decade to Buy a Car
The waiting period to buy a Lada could be 6-10 years, payable in cash only. This shortage is why Danya’s hot-wiring skills are so valuable.
Although Finding Ecstasy doesn’t delve deeply into the state of the Soviet Union, my need for accuracy and interest in the topic meant I did a lot of research. There are more facts I could cover, and I might add them later.
That said, I didn’t want exposition to get in the way of a good story.
So please enjoy it.