A Tomb for Boris Davidovich intricately weaves together narratives exploring the profound effects of revolution, particularly focusing on the lives of its fervent protagonists. The novel serves as a tapestry illustrating the inextricable link between revolutionary zeal and its often grim repercussions. Each of the stories contained within the book navigates this central theme, depicting lives shaped and sometimes shattered by the seismic shifts of revolutionary fervor.

Five of the narratives delve directly into the heart of these revolutionary consequences, while another maintains a subtler association. The story of Baruch David Neumann stands as a foundational example, embodying the archetype of revolutionary passion that is echoed throughout the book. The author, with a clear intention, reflects on the Bolshevik Revolution, scrutinizing its notorious excesses and deviations. Through these stories, the novel offers a critical commentary on the revolution's trajectory, examining how ideals can be corrupted by the very fervor that fuels them.

In exploring the profound consequences of revolution, Ki delves beyond mere lamentation of its shortcomings. He argues that revolutions inherently devour their progeny, suggesting that Stalinism was an inevitable consequence of a revolution fundamentally dismissive of human values. This perspective is vividly reflected in the aftermath of the Bolshevik Revolution, a period captured by Arthur Koestler as “darkness at noon” and described as the “God that failed.” In its mission to establish a dogma, the Revolution effectively birthed a new religion, complete with a novel morality demanding ritual sacrifices akin to any faith.

The architects of this new ideology, serving as its priests, held an unwavering belief in the sanctity of their doctrine. They were often bewildered by what they perceived as the "sentimental egocentricity" of those accused, noting their "pathological need to prove their own innocence, their own little truths." Fedukin encapsulates this ethos by asserting that the obliteration of an individual's so-called truth was preferable to questioning overarching principles. For him, signing a false confession out of a sense of duty was not only logical but also a moral act meriting respect.

The fervor of "true believers" transcends a singular historical moment, manifesting in varied episodes across time. Take, for example, the tale "Dogs and Books," where a victim from the fourteenth century faces persecution under the pretext that it is preferable "to slaughter one mangy sheep than to allow the whole flock to become tainted." This narrative echoes the broader, recurring theme of fanatical zeal paving the path to tyranny. Ki, through his storytelling, draws parallels between the lives of Jews such as Neumann and Davidovich, capturing a pattern of oppression that resonates across different eras.

Ki's exploration reveals a stark conclusion: when fundamental human rights are disregarded, tyranny and death are inescapable outcomes. The stories further delve into motifs like the inherent sadism found among many revolutionaries and the systemic machinations birthed from revolutionary movements. These elements serve to highlight the overarching theme, while historical excursions often remain secondary, enhancing the narrative without overwhelming it.