The article defines the principal artistic conflict in S. Dovlatov’s works as an irreconcilable contradiction between the ugly truth of reality and the embellished lies of Soviet ideological appearances, imposing themselves as a substitute for that particular reality. However, a third element in this universe is a recurrent type of protagonist who remains consistent in all of Dovlatov’s works. His situation, fate and personality are defined by his sticking to ‘a third way.’ It is from this viewpoint alone that one can observe the workings of the law of absurdity that rules the universe. According to the author, the popularity of Dovlatov’s books lies in their mainstream protagonist. Devoid of individual traits, Dovlatov’s hero is easy for any reader to identify with psychologically; and not because of many similarities, but due to very few differences. All in all, the article attempts to describe S. Dovlatov’s artistic world as a system that represents an organic unity of the writer’s creative principles and his deeply dramatic worldview.