And I think that it can be universally understood, with or without the benefit of esoteric knowledge about Russia.
Like all art or storytelling, it says to you what you hear. It means what it means to you. It's not for me to say what that is... "Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
And most of the background to the story was pretty universal - it made me think that living in that area of Russia wasn't much different that living in parts of ... Maine. Similar scenery. Lakes, ocean. Even the cafe looked familiar.
We are more alike than we are different ;)
