Truisms and the parable storytelling strategy in the novel “Kys” by T. Tolstaya

The artistic system of the novel “Kys” by T. Tolstaya is defined by a specifically organized narrative strategy targeted at a parable. The article deals with the novel “Kys” from the viewpoint of functioning of parable elements at different artistic levels, primarily, of the circumlocutions that hide philosophical, existential essence behind a deliberately common narration. The parabolic strategy in the narrative of the novel creates an effect of a multifaceted content, tells the reader that the meaning of the work is not limited to the external plot. The parabolic strategy of the text is manifested in the composition of the novel, the chapter titles of which bear the names of the letters of the Old Cyrillic alphabet. This is one of the ways to create a metaphorical subtext of the narration. The message contained in T. Tolstoy’s alphabet is an encrypted form of the author’s discourse. The reading of the novel “Kys” taking into consideration the parable as the narrative strategy allows us to disclose a deeper meaning of its contents conveyed by the author to the reader.