Envy - New York Review Books Classics Author:Yuri Olesha, Marian Schwartz, Iurii Karlovich Olesha Yuri Olesha's novella combines social satire, effervescent humor, and a wild visionary streak in the story of a Soviet Babbitt, a hero of industry who presides over an unheard-of increase in the production of sausage. But beside this man with the unshakable self-regard is the bitter sponger who, consumed with resentment, sees through him.