Th e article deals with archetypal pairs of characters typical of contemporary Russian prose. «Ice under Feet» by R. Senchin is built upon the relationship between two friends. Th e plot of D. Gutsko’s novel «Little House in Armageddon» is defi ned by a «father — son» pair. Th e poetics of the classical novel is renewed due to the authors’ narrative and speech strategies. In Senchin’s novel meaning-making comprises lyrics of Russian rock-bands of 1980–90s. D. Gutsko makes use of speech patterns from media and political discourse.