Midwest: Sergey Davydov wrote an autofiction about the life of a gay migrant in Germany

This book is about violence in refugee camps, the search for a new identity, and the reluctance to be a "professional victim"

Writer and playwright Sergey Davydov, who gained worldwide fame after the release of his debut novel "Springfield", presented his new work - Midwest. The book, published on June 25 by Freedom Letters, describes the experience of emigration, life in German refugee camps and the author's attempt to make sense of his Russian identity while in a new reality.

What is this book about?

"Midwest" is written in the genre of Autofiction, where real biographical events are intertwined with fiction. In the center of the story is the life of Davydov himself after moving to Germany four years ago. The author openly and poetically talks about:

• Relationships with her German fiancé Jasper.
• Hard life: lack of money and the experience of facing violence in refugee camps.
• Visual code: Davydov himself calls "Midwest" rather art projectthan just a literary work, since photos (including topless pictures of the author for the cover), illustrations by Tatiana Raut, and even screenshots of WhatsApp correspondence have become an important part of the text.

Why did Davydov leave Russia?

The playwright's career in Russia actually ended in April 2022, when the premiere of his play "Ronaldo Will Never Catch My Grandmother" was canceled "for technical reasons." Prior to that, his works were staged throughout the country, and the play "Republic" was included in the long list of the Golden Mask. The writer himself admits that he left the country not for the sake of a "good life", but because "the police began to come to his home" and he had no opportunity to engage in honest creativity.

"I don't want to be a professional victim"

One of the key topics of Midvest and Davydov's interview is the rejection of victim status. The writer emphasizes that he does not want to speculate on his own or someone else's grief, comparing it to a "disease".

• On identity: Davydov continues to call himself a "Russian guy" and does not intend to renounce the citizenship of the Russian Federation, emphasizing that it was formed by Russia and the people, and not by the state authorities.
• On "Expanding" Yourself: Life in Germany, according to the author, does not replace the old identity, but adds a new one. Now Davydov attends the Evangelical Lutheran Church, which helps him not only to find spiritual support, but also to learn the language through singing hymns.

Why Is This Important?

For Davydov, writing "Midvest" was a "moral feat" necessary to record human experience, which "must be described." The book captures a unique moment of collision of two worlds: the past in industrial Togliatti (where his first novel "Springfield" took place) and the present in a refugee center consisting of many containers.

By words author, his main task is to do what he considers "honest and necessary", without trying to adapt to the expectations of the audience or the strategy of success.