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The Year of the Comet

By Sergei Lebedev
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In The Year of the Comet by Sergei Lebedev, a young boy grows up during the final years of the Soviet Union, capturing the chaotic and transformative aspects of the era. Through subtle but compelling storytelling, the narrative explores the intertwining of personal and political histories, with an element of mystery woven into the depiction of this turbulent time. Lebedev presents a rich tapestry that combines a coming-of-age tale with the nuances of a world in transition.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this gripping tale if you are drawn to espionage and intricate plots set against the backdrop of Soviet Russia's looming collapse. Combining elements of crime and historical fiction, it explores themes of memory, identity, and the past's inexorable impact on the present, delivering both suspense and a deep, atmospheric narrative.

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A story of a Russian boyhood and coming of age as the Soviet Union is on the brink of collapse.

From the critically acclaimed author of Oblivion comes Year of the Comet, a story of a Russian boyhood and coming of age as the Soviet Union is on the brink of collapse.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A story of a Russian boyhood and coming of age as the Soviet Union is on the brink of collapse.

From the critically acclaimed author of Oblivion comes The Year of the Comet, a story of a Russian boyhood and coming of age as the Soviet Union is on the brink of collapse.

An idyllic childhood takes a sinister turn. Rumours of a serial killer haunt the neighbourhood, 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. He writes with stunning beauty and shattering insight about childhood and the growing consciousness of a boy in the world.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Year of the Comet by Sergei Lebedev, translated by Antonina W. Bouis, is praised for its detailed examination of the ongoing psychological impact of Stalinism. The translation is appreciated for its seamless rendering, making the novel easily accessible to English readers. The book offers a unique coming-of-age narrative that focuses on the lasting consequences of actions rather than typical themes like first love. The story is celebrated for its vivid depiction of material objects with a metaphysical touch and is described as a profound exploration of intergenerational bonds set against the backdrop of the Soviet Union's collapse.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781800249240

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 12 May 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Apollo

Contributors:

  • Translated by Antonina W. Bouis

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 18.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 180g

Pages: 256

Collections

Crime & Thriller Fiction Fiction in Translation General Fiction Literary Fiction Sergei Lebedev Spy & Espionage Thriller

About the Author

Sergei Lebedev was born in Moscow in 1981 and worked for seven years on geological expeditions in northern Russia and Central Asia. Lebedev is a poet, essayist and journalist. His novels have been translated into many languages and received great acclaim in the English-speaking world. The New York Review of Books has hailed Lebedev as 'the best of Russia's younger generation of writers'. Antonina W. Bouis is one of the leading translators of Russian literature working today. She has translated over 80 works from authors such as Evgeny Yevtushenko, Mikhail Bulgakov, Andrei Sakharov, Sergei Dovlatov and Arkady and Boris Strugatsky. Bouis, previously executive director of the Soros Foundation in the former USSR, lives in New York City.

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