Futility is an astounding, funny, and enchanting novel which mixes
eccentric Russian sensibilities with eccentric British brains, both
richly possessed by its author William Gerhardie (1895-1977). The
novel's narrator, Andrei Andreiech, an Englishman of Russian upbringing,
recounts his entanglements with the Bursanov family and his love for
Nina, the second of three beautiful sisters. The Revolution destroys the
family fortunes, but Nina's father still pins his hopes on his Northern
goldmines, gathering dependents who trail him even to Siberia. Andrei
also waits, hoping his love for Nina will bring happiness. It is
Gerhardie's vivacity and lightness of tone in conducting these
meaningful yet ludicrous tragedies of disappointment that marks
Futility as one of the great neglected novels of the twentieth
century.