The day before - Something about it.

                        Alexey ZAKHAROV
                  NOMINATIONS: SOMETHING ABOUT

                         Large form

   This category contains the largest number of successful
works. This may be due to the fact that in market conditions
it is more profitable to publish novels, and then, according to the theory of probability,
if there is a lot of something, then there is more good there.
   "Blades of the Maksars" by Y. Bryder and N. Chadovich - the second part of them
multi-novel project "The Road". The first novel is "The Gospel According to
Timofey" - was published in 1993 in the magazine "Fantacrim-MEGA" 
and a year later in the Nizhny Novgorod publishing house "Phlox". Chief Ge-
the swarm enters by passing along the “road” (the transition between parallel
worlds) into the world of the masters-maxars. A world where the chosen ones are allowed everything,
where all living things undergo terrible transformations in the name of whims
their masters, where anyone is killed just for the thought of causing
harm to their masters. Obviously, if in the "Gospel..." we find
people saw a grotesquely distorted picture of the monarchy, then in “Blades...”
before us is an oligarchy. Descriptions of these forms of government
properties are deliberately distorted for the sake of greater effect. Unfortunately, the outfit
With the development of the ideas of the first novel, its inadequacies also received development.
statistics. Some solemnity of style turns into stilted
tediousness, penchant for details... In general, it is difficult to read.
The road goes off into the distance, where else?will she lead us?
   "Reserve for Academicians" by Kir Bulychev is included in the series "River
Chronos." Chronologically, according to the author, it should go under three 
number two (the first novel is “The Chronos River”, the second has not yet been written -
san). The novel consists of two parts: “How it was” and “How it is.”
it could have been." The first one takes place in a boarding house near Moscow. 
in 1939, where, against the backdrop of rainy autumn scenery,
there is the eternal drama of Mozart and Salieri - Matvey Shavlo and professor
Alexandria. Shavlo is close to creating an atomic bomb, he
This is how he tries to buy himself prosperity under the Stalinist regime. Pro-
professor is close to the end of his career, and Shavlo’s success gives rise to
his envy. In addition, he has a reason for self-justification:
the rose of creating a bomb is an undoubted danger to all mankind
twa. Alexandrian, being a preacher of the principle “thou shalt not kill,” co-
commits murder. Second part: Shavlo remains alive - creates
an atomic bomb, which entails a chain of events, somewhat reminiscent of
nayushchih farce. There may be several explanations for what is happening:
first, it is logical to assume that on the branches of the Chronos River
the cause-and-effect relationships we are accustomed to are disrupted - for example,
Hitler dies together with his Russian mistress (I will add, be- 
from the Gulag) during the bombing of Warsaw; secondly, and
I think this is more true for better commercial successworks. But, unfortunately, what is good for commerce is not very
com is good for literature. The first part separately (by the way, it
even came out before the release of the full text as an independent
new work) is much more pleasant.
   "The Renegade" by N. Dashkov is a heroic fantasy. The world created
Dashkov, is very close to the world of Michael Moorcock, whose works about 
the adventures of the Eternal Hero are so widespread throughout the vastness
CIS. Read all this with pleasure, but, unfortunately, no further,
than up to the tenth page. It's better to read Moorcock than his epigo-
new
   "Master of Puppets" by S. Kazmenko. The main theme for creativity
Kazmenko’s quality is the question of the influence of information on behavior
the formation of groups and communities of people. The novel describes an interstellar empire,
which, by manipulating information, protects its foundations. Of course
in such a state the most important people are the Liaison Officers. On behalf of
One of them is the story. As a child he encountered
cruelty of the state machine, and when he grew up, he decided to destroy it
to kill her with his own weapons. For the experiment he chose
on a small planet with a population of only a few thousand people
century But how hard it is to realize that behind the beautiful and precise calculations
followed by the death of people, not some inanimate units, but
those with whom you met every evening... But you can fight evil
but only using evil.
   "Tales of Fishermen and Fishes" and"Help me on my way" - novels from
V. Krapivin's cycle "In the depths of the Great Crystal". Retell
the content does not make sense due to its unambiguous knowledge
for anyone who has previously read at least one novel by Vladislav Pet-
Rovich. Blue-eyed boys, gloomy adults and kind heroes - 
Commanders move from book to book without any reason
changes. Perhaps in this initial predetermination of the plots lies hidden
the secret of the popularity of Krapivin's stories.
   "Soldiers of Babylon" by A. Lazarchuk. The novel combines the main
ny branches of the author’s creativity. After reading the book in the series "New
fantasy" and the novel "Another Sky" there was a feeling of unsaid- 
anxiety, the feeling that something important has slipped away. "Soldiers..."
absorbed everything. The structure of the novel itself, which includes several
different plots, only at the end brought together into a single whole, merging
the road along which the soldiers of Babylon march is very unusual,
but it seems justified. The ending of the novel is great. For now
time "Soldiers..." is the best thing Lazarchuk wrote.
   "Twilight of the World" by G.L. Oldie. This is the first really successful one
heroic fantasy, written in the CIS, and for this reason
deserves close attention. The authors did not look for sources
nickname of inspiration in someone's famous foreign novels (like this
made, for example, N. Dashkov), but created their own world. peace,
where the Abyss of Hungry Eyes canonly the real ones resist
people are people not by biological essence, but by deeds worthy
person.
   “I am not I” by A. Slapovsky. Another version on the topic "to whom on
It's good to live in Rus'." The hero gains the ability to move from 
one body into another, which he happily does throughout
throughout the novel, becoming either an underground millionaire or a pop star,
then a degenerate alcoholic. Anyone who reads a novel can make a
The final conclusion is “everyone has their own problems.” The rest is boring.
   “I am the mouse king” by A. Stolyarov. A. Stolyarov’s views on the
literature is generally known, and it is considered common practice to criticize it.
nom. The denial of the author’s views, unfortunately, extends to his
books. They criticize them either for the coldness of their style or for their extreme delusions.
But it was not for nothing that the ancients said that everyone will find what they are looking for. Isto-
ria of love, suffocating in the cold and gloomy city of liars, where he-
the swarm dies, and the traitor triumphs. The city is a distorting mirror on-
of our world. The novel is written in beautiful language, which now meets -
rarely.
   "Galactic Consul" E. Filenko. There is one claim to the novel -
Ziya - that this is a novel. The author, for an unknown purpose, combined a number of
good stories in one novel - but, as is known, in literature
plus on plus does not always give a plus. One of the negative points is
for example, the almost complete absence of a supporting cast. And according to this-
The hero is actively reflecting, looking for something...The solution is promised
in the second book. We'll wait.
   "Where we are not" by M. Uspensky. This novel (or rather, the first
part of it) I read later than all the other things on the list - perhaps
but therefore the impression is brighter. We have never written anything like this before. M.Us-
Pensky has been working in the genre of satire for a long time. His works "Cast iron- 
good horseman" or "Dear comrade king", of course, good things, 
but... You know, Arkady Raikin once said that laughter exists
two types: one is an evilly mocking “he-he-he”, and the second
open and cheerful "ha-ha-ha". So if in the previous things
M. Uspensky denounced, reproached, etc., but now the author simply dares - 
sya, and it turns out so great for him.

                         Medium form

   "Perun's arrows with multiple warheads" by Yu. Bryder and
N. Chadovich and “Rescuer” by V. Moiseev. In both stories the eclipse again 
The theme of the conflict between the little man and the state is discussed
cars. In both, the conflict ends in favor of the latter. Unfortunately
Leniya, such novels as “We” by Zamyatin or “1984” have already been written
Orwell - the topic is practically exhausted. Perhaps someone will 
interesting are the obvious parallels between “Strel...” and “One Day in the Life of Ivan Deniso-
Vich" Solzhenitsyn, and for some - beautiful descriptions of the nature of the North 
in "The Rescuer". As for the rest - alas...
   "Caligari" by J. Buida. Another story about the adventures of the great
detective Sherlock Holmes. Now it's Sherlock Holmes andmutant wolves."
Father Brown also appears here, etc. Everything is fine, but one thing...
asked: “Why?”
   "Sign of the Dragon" by S. Kazmenko. Without a doubt, the best published
by the author. The Sign hangs over the supposedly medieval city
A dragon predicting the imminent death of the city - if it is not found
a brave man who goes out to fight; whoever renounces this right...
loses his soul. A series of townspeople pass in front of us - rich and poor -
smart, smart and fools, brave and cowardly. They make a choice. Well
to each one will be given according to his faith...
   "Village of Centaurs" by A. Kim. The main thesis of the story: all nasi-
lies, wars, etc. - come from repressed sexuality. Thought
good - true, not new, but why write a big story
with a detailed listing of who, whom, where and with what... It’s not clear.
   "Today, mom!" S. Lukyanenko and Y. Burkina. Both authors are good
familiar to fans of self-published science fiction, this
the story is their first collaboration. The story turned out well
cheerful, moderately smart, - in general, good. But there is one "but"...
The story will be understandable only to those who have at least a little understanding of
realities of fandom. It feels like the story was written “for our own people”
and released into the world at random.
   "Fear" and "Getting into Character" by G.L. Oldie. The stories are included in the same
cycle, like the novel "Twilight of the World". Unfortunately, in my opinion,
man is their best thing: both stories suffer from repetition, and the feelingthe unusualness of the world has already dulled. Although, from what they write in the genre
we have serious fantasy, this is the best.
   "Dream of War" by A. Ruban. One of the most unsuccessful works in
nominations. I remember this author’s novel “The Phaeacian Ships”
(albeit published in a truncated form in "Fantakrim-MEGA")
made a great impression with the unconventional development of the theme,
this narrative. About “Dream of War” we can say that from its merits
“Ships” only have rhythm left here. It's hard to understand what everything is for 
it was written. The train passengers found themselves in a parallel world - a world of war.
Everyone is fighting, passengers are uncomfortable. But the heroes discover a secret - maybe...
but it turns out to overcome the boundaries between worlds, being in co-
suffering from severe intoxication. Heroically enduring the difficulties of a hangover -
syndrome, they return home. Great...
   "Dear Comrade King" by M. Uspensky. If the novel "Where
we are not" - this is a new word in the work of M. Uspensky, and in sa- 
tyrical fiction in general, then "Dear Comrade King", alas,
the word is old. The humor is forced, but the situation, in my opinion, is much better
described in the “Gospel of Timothy” by Yu. Bryder and N. Chadovich.
   "Night Forever" by A. Shchegolev. A nice thriller - but not a big one
lee. The action develops - interestingly; it ends - alas. Absolutely
I don’t really remember anything.

                          Small form

   “Man to man is Lazarus” by A. Etoev. Really, from this car-
it was worth itexpect more. The usual saturation of its production
philosophical and moral-ethical problems in this context
In this case, it was replaced by a lively plot with many corpses.
Well, it’s very good for its genre, but...
   "Until the fourteenth generation" by S. Kazmenko. Again and again S. Kazme-
NGO is trying to understand what makes good people change dramatically 
your views after gaining power? Why does their whole philosophy begin
boil down to the saying of one of Louis - “after us - at least
flood"? The main character chooses his own terrible path of resolution 
problems, but, as you know: “Light is the left hand of darkness”...
   “Let a hundred flowers fade” by A. Lezhnev. The story was published in
section "Debut" - and this explains everything: some secondary style
Yes, the main characters give the impression of old acquaintances, etc.
However, the story is easy to read, and for a debut this is already good. We will
wait for the next publications.
   "Fugu in Uniform" by S. Lukyanenko. The plot of the story is as follows: some
the comedian inserted a question into the referendum ballot: “Would you like
Russia's annexation to Japan? Of course, the people answered “yes”. And 
fell on the heads of the poor Japanese one and a half hundred million Homo
Soveticus. You can recite tanks by heart, and not sing obscene parts -
shki.You can wear a kimono, not jeans. You can eat fugu, not potatoes-
ku in uniform. But - alas, alas - there is a smell of the Russian spirit here. And it does
he's a harakiri who doesn't understand anythingJapanese, accustomed to keeping his word
oh, and the Russians... what are the Russians? The freebie is alive...
   "Saturday of Hopes" by E. Mayevsky. Always a pleasure to discover
a new author - especially with such a story as "Saturday of Hopes".
Undoubtedly, the main contender for the award. Retell
The content, really, is not worth it: it must be read, and moreover than before -
so much the better.
   "Dogs and Murderers" by G. Panchenko. An action film with philosophical overtones.
Eternally washing away the bones of the theme “a dog’s friendship is stronger than love”
bless the man." Perhaps I won't argue. The story is being read
in one breath, but, unfortunately, then it’s somehow difficult to remember -
What was it all about?
   "Ivan Kublakhanov" by V. Pelevin. The author is like a meteor that took off
The Olympus of Russian science fiction has recently weakened somewhat
turned up the speed. I am left with the impression that V. Pelevin is
only burdened by the role of “supernova”. In addition, the topic of most
his past works - Soviet or post-Soviet action
ality has lost its freshness. Now V. Pelevin writes simply surreal.
Surprisingly surreal, what else can you say about it? I don't like.
   "Zombification" by V. Pelevin. Discussions about the cult of voodoo, from which
he deduces the foundations of Soviet power. Very funny, but already very
I'm tired of the constant mockery of the fallen lion. Valid
but our life is so delusional that the idea of universal zombification
It passes completely, but for the rest, alas, alas, alas...
   "The Cape is deaddogs" by A. Salomatov. Sur on the themes of Soviet action
vigor. There is nothing more to say.
   "Game Day" by A. Siletsky. A short story with a clearly expressed
with the main idea: “It’s not good to play war!!!” It's already somewhere
sounded, didn't it?
   "Enter the River" by L. Vershinin. An elegant rehash of the world famous
new story about the Eternal Jew. Only the main character is sentenced to ski-
tanning not for any sins, but of one’s own free will.
   "Fruiter" by V. Wolf. You know, in the sixties there were very
stories with shock endings are popular (for example, most
works by R. Sheckley). In most cases they developed according to
scheme: “but there was another case” - etc. Now trying to write
such a story looks funny - especially if the author simply
repeats the plot with a long beard