Description

‘Packs a lot of plot into this deadpan satire… Strange and tantalising’ Metro

Discover this powerful dark satire from one of Ukraine’s most acclaimed authors.

When Kolya moves into a new flat in Kyiv, he discovers an annotated manuscript hidden inside a copy of War and Peace and decides to track down its author, even if it means digging up the grave of a Ukranian nationalist who died in mysterious circumstances.

An exhumation reveals that an item of great national importance is buried near a fort in Kazakstan so when, during his night shift as a security guard, Kolya is threatened with mysterious phone calls, he sets off on what turns out to be a very bizarre journey. Along the way he meets a host of unlikely characters including Bedouins, ex-KGB officers and a spirit-like companion in the form of a chameleon.

Publisher Review

Packs a lot of plot into this deadpan satire... Strange and tantalising * Metro * Flits between dark and light exploring the twilight zone between fantasy and reality -- John Thornhill * Financial Times * Kurkov is hugely talented, truly very funny * Time Out * Kurkov's style is spare and effective, drawing us with deceptive ease into a dense, complex world full of wonderful characters -- Michael Palin A rather beautiful dreamlike journey -- Victoria Moore * Daily Mail *