Felix Austria — Sofiia Andrukhovych

Sofia Andrukhovych’s *Felix Austria* is a subtle psychological novel set against the vibrant backdrop of the Galician “Belle Époque.” If we delve into the details without overanalyzing the text, we can identify three main pillars of the work:
1. Toxic intimacy: Adele and StefaniaThe central plotline revolves around the relationship between two young women in Stanislaviv (now Ivano-Frankivsk) at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Stefania is a Ukrainian maid who cooks, cleans, and lives for Adele.
Adele is a Polish young lady, the delicate wife of a sculptor, who cannot imagine life without Stefania’s care.They grew up in the same house as sisters after a tragic fire, but the social divide and shared traumas of the past turned their love into codependency. Stefania becomes so absorbed in Adelia that she loses her own sense of self, and their relationship resembles invisible chains.
2. The World Through Scents and FlavorsThe novel is incredibly sensory. Sofia Andrukhovych masterfully uses everyday life as a language:
Culinary Arts: Cooking (from Viennese schnitzel to elaborate desserts) is a ritual through which Stefa expresses her power and love. The reader can literally smell the aromas of cumin, sugar, and roasted meat.
Period details: Descriptions of dresses, perfumes, theaters, and the circus create the illusion of the ideal world of “Felix Austria,” where everything is in its place.3. The Metaphor of Illusion and DecayBeneath the outward calm and comfort lies a sense of unease.
The Illusion of Happiness: The title is ironic. Like the heroines’ personal lives, the Austro-Hungarian Empire appears strong and golden, but in reality, it is already falling apart at the seams.
Magic and mysticism: The arrival of illusionists and a mysterious acrobat boy in the city adds a surrealistic touch, emphasizing that in this house (and in this country), everything is not what it see