“Examines the psychological trauma Stalinism continues to unleash—even on those who never lived during his reign…Antonina W. Bouis has translated the best of Soviet and post-Soviet writings…and the ease with which she renders Mr. Lebedev’s prose creates the illusion that both his novels were originally written in English.” Wall Street Journal
Description
An idyllic childhood takes a sinister turn. Rumors of a serial killer haunt the neighborhood, families pack up and leave town without a word of warning, and the country begins to unravel. Policemen stand by as protesters overtake the streets, knowing that the once awe-inspiring symbols of power they wear on their helmets have become devoid of meaning. Lebedev depicts a vast empire coming apart at the seams, transforming a very public moment into something tender and personal, and writes with stunning beauty and shattering insight about childhood and the growing consciousness of a boy in the world.
Praise
“Examines the psychological trauma Stalinism continues to unleash—even on those who never lived during his reign…Antonina W. Bouis has translated the best of Soviet and post-Soviet writings…and the ease with which she renders Mr. Lebedev’s prose creates the illusion that both his novels were originally written in English.” Wall Street Journal
“Depicts objects in a stunningly, almost freakishly precise way, coaxing the metaphysical to express itself through the material.” Times Literary Supplement (London)
“Gorgeously written…leaves readers with a new insight into a towering moment in modern history.” Winnipeg Free Press
“One of the best novels to come out of Russia in a generation.” Shelf Awareness (starred review)
“Absorbing…A seamlessly written child’s-eye view that conveys an adult understanding of history’s burdens.” Library Journal (starred review)
Details
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Release Day | Apr 17, 2017 |
| Release Date | April 18, 2017 |
| Release Date Machine | 1492473600 |
| Imprint | Blackstone Publishing |
| Provider | Blackstone Publishing |
| Categories | Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Family Life, Literary Fiction, Coming of Age, Fiction - All, Fiction - Adult |
Author Bio
Sergei Lebedev was born in Moscow in 1981 and worked for seven years on geological expeditions in northern Russia and Central Asia. He is a poet, essayist, and journalist, and one of Russia’s most lauded young writers. Oblivion, his first novel, has been translated into many languages and was published in English in 2016 to great acclaim.
Narrator Bio
Overview
An idyllic childhood takes a sinister turn. Rumors of a serial killer haunt the neighborhood, families pack up and leave town without a word of warning, and the country begins to unravel. Policemen stand by as protesters overtake the streets, knowing that the once awe-inspiring symbols of power they wear on their helmets have become devoid of meaning. Lebedev depicts a vast empire coming apart at the seams, transforming a very public moment into something tender and personal, and writes with stunning beauty and shattering insight about childhood and the growing consciousness of a boy in the world.
Reviews
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