Ice (Sorokin novel)

Ice is a dystopian science fiction novel by Russian writer Vladimir Sorokin, first published in 2002. It is the first book in the Ice Trilogy, followed by Bro (2004) and 23000 (2005).

The novel presents a world where a secretive organization known as the Brotherhood operates with the aim of awakening the hearts of 23,000 "sleeping hearts." Members of the Brotherhood wield ice mallets, which they use to strike people's chests, attempting to trigger a reaction that signifies a connection to a hidden, pre-human race. If a person's heart reacts positively to the blow, they are deemed to be a "heart" and are brought into the Brotherhood. Those whose hearts do not react are considered to be merely "meat."

The narrative is fragmented, told through multiple perspectives, including those of Brotherhood members. The story explores themes of collectivism, violence, the nature of consciousness, and the dehumanization of individuals in the pursuit of a utopian ideal. Sorokin uses a stark and often brutal prose style to depict the Brotherhood's activities and their impact on the world. The novel's complex structure and challenging themes have garnered both critical acclaim and controversy. The significance of "ice" in the novel refers both to the material of the mallets used by the Brotherhood and to a metaphorical coldness and detachment associated with their ideology and actions.