“You have to persuade your ex that it is better this way for everyone.”

It is a method for investigating how much unreality reality can bear.

Krzhizhanovsky wanted to perform imaginary experiments with the nature of time and space.

The problem with breaking up with someone, if you are a little unsure – and so often, people are unsure – is that breaking up involves persuasion.

Outside, in the streets, the Communist state was busy performing such experiments for real.

This is because there is much more risk.

Once you have kissed secretly, it is very difficult not to have sex.

When a clandestine couple kisses, it is much more likely that sex will immediately follow.

And this is difficult if you have not entirely persuaded yourself. It is especially tricky to do this if you are also naked, and making two cups of coffee.

It would be impolite not to have sex.

In response, Krzhizhanovsky’s prose has a recklessly unstable tone in which delighted examination of impossible worlds can slip into ferocious political sarcasm.