Books
automatic translateA summary of Jules Verne’s "The Ice Sphinx"
The novel was published in 1897. This book is a direct sequel to Edgar Allan Poe’s story about Arthur Gordon Pym. Jules Verne provides a completely rational physical explanation for the supernatural events described by the American writer.
"The Blade of Era" by Vlad Rayber, summary
"The Blade of the Era" is a fantasy novel, dated 2013 in the text itself, in which everyday Moscow life, with its hospital, buses, school, and cramped apartment, gradually reveals itself as a thin veneer over an alien and far more brutal reality.
"A Cure for Fear" by Arkady and Georgy Vainer, summary
This book is a detective novel by the Vainer brothers. Published in 1976, it is written in the form of two parallel narratives: a modern police investigation alternates with historical episodes from the life of the great medieval physician and alchemist Paracelsus.
"Lenizdat" released a three-volume work of Joseph Brodsky, some of which is published in Russia for the first time
ST. PETERSBURG. On the 20th anniversary of the death of Joseph Brodsky, a three-volume edition of his works, compiled by Igor Bulatovsky, was published.
A summary of "Lönnart of Grengras" by Alexey Pekhov
Lönnart of Grengras is a 2008 novella. The plot describes a mercenary’s pursuit of a mysterious fugitive on the most terrifying winter night. The hero encounters dangerous supernatural creatures of the north.
A summary of Alexander Ostrovsky’s "The Forest"
The play "The Forest," written in 1870, depicts the provincial mores of post-reform Russia, where two worlds collide: the hypocritical environment of a noble estate and the free life of poor but honest itinerant actors.
"Forest Riders" by Andrey Romashov, summary
This book, published in 1959, tells the story of an ancient Ugric tribe forced to seek new lands under attack from enemies. The narrative delves deeply into the harsh life of the original inhabitants of the Urals, where people survive in the wild forests by relying on pagan beliefs and fortitude.
"Jacob’s Ladder" by Lyudmila Ulitskaya, summary
The novel was written in 2015. This book is a comprehensive family chronicle of several generations of the Osetsky family, spanning a period from the late 19th century to 2011. The plot is based on authentic archival documents and personal letters from the writer’s grandfather, Yakov Ulitsky.
"Summer Camp" by Vlad Rayber, summary
This book is a collection of terrifying short stories, skillfully woven into a single mystical plot, published in 2024. The text is organized like a serial, with standalone episodes subordinated to an overarching narrative.
"Summer of the Volunteer" by Sergei Lukyanenko, summary
"Volunteer’s Summer" is the fourth book in the "Changed" series, published in 2022. The first three novels—"Seven Days to Megiddo," "Three Days of Indigo," and "A Month Beyond the Rubicon"—formed a trilogy that seemed complete, but the author returned to the characters: "the world and the heroes didn’t let go."
"Letos" by Alexey Pekhov, summary
This book is an epic fantasy about a ruined magical world, written in 2014. The novel describes the beginning of the difficult journey of three exiles forced to join forces to survive the harsh realities of the Age of Oblivion.
"The Flying Ship" by Andrei Belyanin, summary
The humorous detective-fiction novel "The Flying Ship," written in 2000, combines elements of Russian fairy tales and classic police investigations. The narrative combines fairy tale motifs, police work, and conversational humor.
"Lily of the Valley" by Honoré de Balzac, summary
The novel was written between 1835 and 1836 and, during the author’s lifetime, became part of the grand cycle "The Human Comedy." The work drew on the writer’s profound personal experience, reflecting his long-standing affection for Laura de Berny.
Kir Bulychev’s "The Purple Ball," a summary
This 1983 science fiction novella tells the story of saving Earth from an ancient biological weapon. The plot seamlessly blends space fiction with time travel and folklore: futuristic technologies are closely intertwined with the magic of the Age of Legends.
"The Alligator Line" by Chingiz Abdullaev, summary
The plot revolves around the concept of the line, which, once crossed, leaves the victim at the mercy of the predator, losing every chance of escape. The main plot revolves around the clash between international drug smuggling and organized crime and corrupt government structures during the collapse of the old order.