"Feigin's book has that sweet impact that only time and distance can provide-this ex-muscovite-turned-Kentucky "blue blood" writes through the eyes of one voluntary displaced within a time warp of pathos and humor, and painfully "good" times in his domestic land in the seventies. I've enjoyed every moment of this glorious freak show."

- Steve Dalachinsky     

Moscow in the seventies. Dreadful, fascinating, intense… The realm of young Muscovites united by their insatiable appetite to live lives freely and fully, using creativity and poignant humor to fend off the omnipresent authorities' attempts to break their spirits. In his new novel, Misha Feigin delivers a powerful impression of the era when the political trials showed signs of Stalin's horrors, while sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll penetrating the Iron Curtain clashed with the seemingly impervious system.

Born and raised in Russia's capital, Feigin had already achieved the status of one of the country's premiere guitarists when he immigrated to the US in 1990, leaving behind an established position in the official arts scene, as well as memories of encounters with the KGB who were very interested in some of the underground bands Misha was associated with.

Since moving to Louisville, KY, Feigin has been featured on the National Public Radio and has toured throughout the US and around the world, releasing seven albums on American and British labels, and performing on many prestigious stages, such as Washington's Kennedy Center and New York's Knitting Factory. Despite being best known as a musician, Misha Feigin has started to gain footing among the literary critics since winning the Thomas Merton Prize for Poetry in 2000.

In this novel, Feigin presents a captivating collection of characters refined during the numerous concerts when the songs were intertwined with stories. The author's experience brings to life his heroes and their adventures, as they struggle to maintain their dignity and freedom in a totalitarian state. As cultural and political clashes are becoming the way of life in everyone's home, Searching for Irina gives the reader hope to carry on in our turbulent century.