V. VLADIMIRSKY
I READ THIS
"And yet, was it possible to imagine a novel and non-conflict
rmistic, and quite problematic, and, in spite of everything, - for-
attentive?" - a smart man asked at one time, and then he himself
He answered himself: “Yes, you can.” At least now it is possible. B
in fact, it’s funny to boast that your works are devoid of
attentiveness - as well as any other of the mentioned
honors Regarding this, the same person said: “...since the past
impossible to destroy, because its destruction leads to muteness, it
needs to be rethought: ironically, without naivety." By the way, this
ideal formula of a work of art: non-conformism
plus entertainment plus problematic plus irony minus naive
irony. The fact that irony is an integral component of development
curativeness is not yet a fact, as it might seem. Naturally
Only a certain ideal can fully correspond to this formula.
a work of art, and in nature, as is known, ideals are difficult - and
ideal gas and ideal vacuum occur here equally rarely
However, it is gratifying that a certain evolutionary movement
towards this unattainable ideal in domestic fandom
The tastic has already begun.
Perhaps among the novels included in the list of candidates for the award
"Interpresscon" to it, to the ideal,closest luxury, postmo-
turf novel by Andrei Lazarchuk "Soldiers of Babylon". strange
even - something non-conformist, problematic and yet the plot-
This is made up of fragments of plots that are much more naive and
simple ones. And the result is a work that can be re-read once
over and over again, each time discovering something new. Only through
the measured, oppressive seriousness of the author slightly spoils the impression of
novel. With a sense of humor, Andrei Gennadievich has long, softly grown
huddling, not everything is in order - and, to put it roughly, it, this feeling,
completely absent from the respected contemporary classic. But the novel
he’s still a sweetie, no matter what his detractors say about him.
Let me give you one more quote: "...Sad for the auto-
ra, who did not find the strength to overcome infantilism and see
the world as it is - in all its diversity of colors, light and
shadows. It was not by chance that I used the word “infantilism” here: the most
dark thoughts about the world are known to arise during adolescence
grow. It is here that ideals crumble when faced with brutal action.
vigor. However, the transition to maturity, if it occurs, is
is exchanged for the restoration of ideals, although not in their romantic form.
book form, but in real dialectical confrontation with the forces
evil." (A. Zhitinsky, “The Journey of a Rock Amateur”). Alas, many
of those whose works took pride of place in the listnominee-
com for 1994, this transition has not yet taken place, su-
everything. An excellent example of this is Andrei Stolyarov’s novel “I am
Mouse King." He is very gloomy and hopeless (not Stolya-
ditch, of course, but a novel). So much so that the question arises - yes
Are you really serious, Andrei Mikhailovich? It feels like
the author, who masterfully masters the technical side of the process, in turn
Once again I was fired up with the idea of proving something to someone - or friends -
yam-writers, or gentlemen readers, or Big Literature
(which, according to Dmitry Bogush, does not exist in nature)
- that he, A.M., is quite capable of writing a fantasy novel, or else-
only meeting the classical canons, but at the same time also highly
dogeous. And, I must say, he succeeded in some things - for example, the following
adherence to the laws of the genre. However... "There is no life in them, all the dolls are re-
kovye..." A.M. with its bloodless characters and boring
The plot most closely resembles Reanimator from the race of the same name.
Lovecraft's tale, with tenacity and ingenuity worthy of lo-
of the best use, breathing life into crippled, dead bodies,
incapable of anything other than crimes. This, of course, is in its own way
very noble, but... Everyone probably remembers how he ended
Reanimator.
Alas, even this does not work out for everyone, because something, but knowledge
Stolyarov’s literary tools cannot be taken away. But, let’s say,
atN. Dashkova in the novel “The Renegade” is a bit difficult with this. Little understanding
the life-life of the main character of the novel with the “speaking” nickname
Well, "Cold Back of the Head" is not very intriguing. Similar to the behavior
the heroes are not the best works of Western "heroic fantasy"
zi", from which the author, by the way, borrowed a large
part of the realities of the described world, the activities of Senor Kholodny Za-
the rear is purely reflexive in nature. That is, like everyone else
hydras, sea anemones and other coelenterates: stimulus-response, stimulus -
reaction, stimulus - ... This monotony of behavioral re-
shares and the hero’s complete absence of a second alarm system quickly
tro tires - too quickly.
In some ways akin to "The Apostate", although on a different quality
level, and Alexander Gromov's novel "Time Between Failures". If
Dashkov wrote a completely lame fantasy novel, not very
caring about the quality of the text, Gromov managed to create in his own
almost the most banal social sci-fi in the style of "MG"
late seventies, only a little more literate and a little more gloomy
no. The fact that for anyone who pro-
read more than a dozen science fiction works, the denouement of the novel
obvious from the very first page. Naturally, if you don’t take into account
even a completely unnecessary, in my opinion, line with the observer
xcivilization of the shield-bearers. Into which, by some miracle, it managed to evolvelutionate emigrated from Earth good old eugenic
sect. However, this super-civilization also turned out to be quite fascist.
cultural sense: on mere mortals with their joys and sufferings
these giants of spirit, of course, look at them like crawling ants -
ev; own children who do not meet state standards can easily
subjected to expulsion (introducing these same “ants” into the environment);
they treat their own achievements with exaggerated reverence -
in a word, such a funny story. She makes me want to howl.
So if you’re going to write classic SF, then it’s better to do
it's like Evgeniy Filenko in "Galactic Consul" or, more importantly,
niya, Sergey Kazmenko in “Lord of the Puppets”. And although Filenko,
with his hero entangled in women, it didn’t work out, in my opinion
look, come up with a fairly intelligible philosophical-cosmogony
theoretical theory in order to tie together so many diverse, uneven
but written stories, and Kazmenko could not prove to me that
in the foreseeable future, science will reach such heights that all fluctuations
tions in society - even if closed and small - will be pre-
seem to be in advance, and this society itself is controlled with the help of one
only informational impact, and at the same time quite harsh
God, - but I will, without a doubt, unabatedly -
It is a great pleasure to re-read it many, many times.
Despite noticeably fewer problems thanpreceded-
the main novel of the tetralogy "The Gospel of Timothy", a new novel by Yuri
Brider and Nikolai Chadovich are distinguished by commendable dynamism and
the fascination of the plot. The very attempt to create, go-
in the words of Sergei Berezhny, a kind of “large-scale canvas”, which
which should be the tetralogy "The Path", the first two novels
which are "The Gospel..." and "Blades..." Both of these novels are
deserve every attention.
Well, here’s a sad novel by the cheerful Kir Bulychev, enough to...
trampling with dirty boots the widespread historical ste-
reotypes of modern times. Here you go in the “Reserve for Academicians”
and Stalin with Yezhov, and Pasternak with Vavilov, and Stalinism with man-
eternal face, and Hitler and Gaushoffer, and secret physicists in the
nima with NKVD officers, and political prisoners with spies and horseradish in
mortar The novel raises only one question: how about it, please tell me?
Please, these Time Keepers are able to determine by eye how-
Which of the channels of the Chronos River are the main ones, and which ones are secondary? Judging by
in this book, dead-end branches differ from the rest in that here
the principle of cause and effect is violated. Otherwise it is difficult to explain
to clarify the wonderful fact that the woman who stood at the origins of the development
phenomena, managed not only to survive in the camp, not only to survive
the first nuclear explosion in history, not only to fall into the fascist
Germany, but also to become the mistress of Hitler himself anddie together
with him during the nuclear bombing of Warsaw after its capture by the Germans
mi troops. Coincidences of this kind are too noticeable and incorrect.
almost enough to be an accident, and there are a lot of them in this novel.
Considering that most of the matches relate to the second part
novel (“How could it be”), one cannot help but admit that for reasons
but by consequence, not everything is in order in the “dry channel”
The Chronos River, despite all the external attractiveness of its complex
the order of things there.
The unforgettable professor Ambrosy Ambruazovich Vibegallo said
somehow regarding the model of man he created, he was completely satisfied
Vorennogo: “The happiness of this model will be indescribable. She will not
children will know neither hunger, nor thirst, nor toothache, nor personal troubles -
news All her needs will be instantly satisfied as
their occurrence." This very same utopia ran out, apparently, and
decided to embody in his novel "Catalysis" Ant Skalandis, pro-
Lav is about the same thing that he created much earlier in his
"The Odyssey..." Vasily Zvyagintsev, that is, endowing his heroes with
complete omnipotence in the material sphere. Only if Zvyagintsev
naively admires the process of production and (especially) consumption
niya, then Skalandis acted smarter and more inventively, - firstly,
devoting the entire novel to analyzing the consequences of the heroes’ discovery, and,
secondly, endowing them with some other Superman-likequalities -
for example, immortality. However, for some reason the ensuing abundance did not
leads to the instant transformation of humanity into a community of use
Paulines of the spirit and luminaries. On the contrary, the problems regarding which
ordinary representatives of the human race reflect in the novel, mainly
Newly they do not belong to the spiritual sphere. In general, about everyone
I want to argue the words in this novel - and this, you see, is already
a lot.
"Bickford's World" by Andrei Kurkov, as well as "Soldiers of Babylon" -
the novel is very complex and very philosophical, despite much
more democratic form. This is smart and in its own way quite beautiful
a beautiful book with bright, juicy, although devoid of development, images
and a plot that is simple to the point of being sketchy. The characters in the novel are so po-
locked in their own experiences that hurt each other
only by chance, tangentially. It seems like this is exactly what it feels like
and it was planned by the author - in any case, it turned out
it's great. Staticity, frozenness of the opening pictures,
the lack of development of storylines in themselves is already fascinating
look. In my opinion, such staticity is rather inherent in production.
knowledge of fine arts, because it most of all predisposes
prompts reflection. Well, yes, and Kurkov’s novel, although it’s not told
you sit on the wall next to “Bears on Rest”, it suits you very well.
If "Bickford's World" can with a significant degree of confidence
attributed tothings that are postmodern and not quite in keeping with
department of fiction, then the works of Vladislav Krapivin “Ska-
stories about fishermen and fish" and especially "Help me on the way..." in relation to
are drawn to that vast layer of literature that throughout
served as a breeding ground for such things for many years. In my opinion-
Well, these two works have a peculiar “Krapivinsky style”
manifested itself as clearly as never before. Anyway,
previously in the works of V.P.K. "bloody babies" did not appear-
were deposited in such quantities and, in any case, were not described
with such care and never before all the richness and diversity
the world of children and adults has not been reduced to such an extent to
several stereotypical reactions repeated from episode to episode
tions. Both adults and children have thoughts only about each other and more
about nothing, as if they couldn’t live without it. Just some
abnormal on both sides. Well, very touching
picture...
Alexey Slapovsky's novel "I am not me" from the very first pages is something...
it reminded me a lot of the works of Alexander Zhitinsky. Liri-
with his honesty, or maybe his calm smile?.. I don’t know. Plot of the novel
surprisingly simple - some ordinary and unremarkable thing -
The trapper suddenly acquires the amazing ability to switch bodies
with other people. This is where his ordeals begin... The main thing
attention author, as it should beexpect, turned to psychology
their heroes, on the psychology of their environment - the environment of those whose mos-
It is occupied by the main character for a while. However, no understanding
no morality follows from all this, thank God - this
Slapovsky also resembles Zhitinsky. And despite the fact that
the flight of the author's imagination is not limited by the framework of generally accepted pre-
plays about the life of an elderly general secretary or a rock musician recently
of his past, the slight non-binding nature of the author’s conclusions does not give any
enjoy the atmosphere of non-conformism. Just a well-written book
hectares of reflections about life, reflections, although not too deep,
but also not claiming to be a priori right.
Mikhail Uspensky's novel "Where We Are Not" is not easy
the best thing I've read by Mikhail Uspensky, not only the best novel
nomination list, but generally one of the best works
fantasy I've ever read - except maybe
Tolkien and some things “buried alive” by Zelazny, who
Ouspensky loves horn so much. The fact is that this novel contains humor
Uspensky plays a subordinate, service role for the first time. Previous
his stories and stories are much more like political
satire rather than on self-sufficient works of art,
but this is completely unlike anything he has done before. Write
so brilliant, so ironic and at the same time deeply problematic -
new workUspensky did not succeed right away - I mean
the beginning of the novel, which rather tediously describes the process of evolution
rags to riches. However, as soon as the author switches to description
specific and completely positive misadventures, despite all
its shortcomings, the hero, boredom evaporates and continuous
high. Alas, at one far from perfect moment, Uspensky cool
breaks off the reader and he suddenly, for no reason, sees the beauty
a dark inscription at the bottom of the page: “The end of the first book.” Represent-
those: it’s three o’clock in the morning, you just got up to speed properly, and
suddenly such a dirty trick! If it weren’t for this unprovoked
interruption of the novel in the middle of the episode, Ouspensky undoubtedly
would be worthy of all the most prestigious literary awards of our
- and not only our genre. However, probably this year he will
this way he will at least get the “Bronze Snail” and “Interpress”
con", although personally I would rather wait and see than like this
his romance will end. I would like to hope that this ending
we will wait until the end of the millennium.
In the meantime, I urge you to vote for Henry Lyon Oldie's novel "Su-
standards of the world", things that are highly non-trivial and worthy
full attention of the venerable fandom. Despite the deceptive
first impression, hidden under a la foreign pseudo-
nimom, Dmitry Gromov and Oleg Ladyzhensky are far from being so simple,
as it seems.Perhaps this novel is not as beautiful and complete as
"Bickford's world", and its philosophical nature is not as obvious as in
"Soldiers of Babylon" - but in order to notice how he
not easy, not enough to read once. Striving for non-conformism
among the authors of "Twilight of the World" is not so obvious, but this is not at all known
reads that they do not have such aspiration - they are simply more dexterous than others
managed to disguise the experimentalism of their prose, thanks to
why their works turned out to be at the same time democratic in form
meh and quite elitist in content. At least Twilight
world" are exactly like that. In this novel, perhaps, stronger than in all
the rest of the novels on the list - with the exception of a halved masterpiece
Uspensky - one senses an element of literary play, hidden auto-
Russian irony - including self-irony - but what could we do without it?
The authors understand perfectly well that they are writing a work that is completely
can and will certainly be called “mass cultural”, but this is their
doesn’t bother you. The understanding of this is felt in every line - just like
as well as the fact that the authors still approach their task with due care
pour irony and ingenuity. The authors have a good feel for the language and,
being perfectly familiar with the literary tradition, without hesitation
take advantage of this. Of course, "Twilight of the World" is not
are a universal panacea for sensory starvation (although I am convinced
den, both a professor of philology and a simplethey will be able to find a role player
there is something for yourself here), but as a first approximation to the ideal
They pass the strength test completely. Why am I Gromova with La-
Dyzhensky and congratulations.
By the way, it’s interesting to know why in the nomination for “Interpresscon”
neither this nor last year the novel by Andrei Dvo-
rnika "Bran up to the elbow"? After all, the novel fully deserves it
- maybe even more than some others, included in the nomination -
dead. Even with a circulation of 999 copies you can’t go wrong here - since then
since the immortal creator took pride of place among the laureates
publication by R.S. Katz, published in one copy more, about such
It’s somehow inconvenient to talk about little things. Strange, mysterious story...
As for the stories, things are even more interesting here.
Firstly, a significant part of the works are included in this category -
tion, in my opinion, either due to shortages, or as a compe-
nsations for previous merits. For example, “Village of Centaurs” by Anatoly
Kima. No, no doubt, “Father-Forest” is probably something of interest -
sorry, if so many disinterested people praise her. But
“Village of Centaurs” is not even close to this parable.
Or the award-winning "Dream of War" by Alexander Ruban, "civilian
utopia", the meaning of which, as far as I was able to make out, boils down to
the fact that a Soviet - and not only a Soviet - person can
Only by binge drinking can you overcome your own aggressivenessand
desire for violence. By God, next to his own “Phaeacian ships”
lya" this, if I may say so, is a sophistication, despite the correctness
the shape somehow doesn’t look right.
So Alexander Gromov's story "Same as You" is built
in exact accordance with the classic cliché of social science fiction
ki: statement of the problem, illustration or historical excursion,
solution to the mystery, ending. The author assures us that if we populate
the whole planet with clones of one person, then over time these clones
from melancholy and monotony they will take it and establish totality on the planet
tar dictatorship. And he does it in such a way that from the very first lines
the check becomes clear - the poor clones have no other alternatives and
it won’t happen, no matter how hard you try. Moral: populate the whole planet with clones
one or two people is dishonest. That's the whole fairy tale. Alas, there is no
The lack of alternatives turns social science fiction into black and white
geometric plan. Interactions between characters are obtained
exclusively linear, schematism rushes from every episode, and in
in the end it turns out that the noble dystopia is degraded -
La to the level of banal moral teaching.
A few words about “Flying to the Warm Side” by Alexander Chumanov -
This is a kind of strongly metaphorized parable. Well, very much.
True, metaphors for the most part are so transparent that they are not
It’s completely clear why they were needed at all. Since you needed it,
This means that this is what the author needs. Butit’s too vain, at the same time
That's it, it's a little weak here in terms of eternal questions. There are some crazy people running around
around the city, they are fighting for power, they are spoiling the gene pool... It’s a pity, it’s the fi-
losophical categories and eternal questions are best understood by Chumanov
th.
Yuri Buida's story "Caligari" looks much more pleasant.
Judging by the number of Buida's publications in magazines like "October",
"Volga", "Banner" and the like, the author is quite talented
and versatile, to allow yourself to experiment on the verge of fan-
tastic, detective and philosophical parable. After all, another resurrection
the knowledge of Dr. Caligari, Sherlock Holmes and even Father Brown on
pages of one story except as a risky experiment, not
you name it. It is all the more pleasant to report that the experiment, despite the
which is unnecessary for narratives of this kind of dryness and
The author's strangeness can be considered successful. Thanks
strange mixture of stereotypes, the atmosphere in the story is created
quite original. The atmosphere of gradually creeping horror, honey-
slowly thickening shadows, cold breath on the back of the head - in short,
horror atmosphere. Watch "Young Sherlock Holmes". At the same time I go-
from the episodic Father Brown as if it were a Chestertonian philo-
sophistication gives depth and volume to a completely banal plot.
The only thing the author lacks, in my opinion, is a little more
greater emotionality. It's too frostbittenheroes,
Their fear, their disgust is too unnatural - even for a detective.
But, it would seem, what a wonderful occasion for reflection! People,
controlled by radio using radio receivers implanted in the brain
kov, criminals and victims at the same time - a problem for Dostoevs -
who, huh?
Another work close in spirit to “horror” is the story
Alexandra Shchegolev "Night Forever". That is, this is, of course, no
not horror, not detective, and certainly not science fiction. This is the chorus
horror, fantasy, and detective - but mixed in different proportions,
crushed and carefully passed through a copyright filter
acceptance - that is, a unique example of a synthesis of genres. I'll make a reservation
right away: this story by Alexander Shchegolev, like most of his
I don’t like news and stories. That is, I am categorically with her
I don't agree. But smart people proved to me with their fingers that if
a certain literary work causes active rejection, then
First of all, you should carefully study this work - and I
I had to agree. So, carefully reading this story,
one cannot help but be convinced of the talent of Alexander Shchegolev. Because
You also have to be able to do nasty things with talent, and he can do it. Fantastic
the motivations of the heroes of "Night...", their actions are fantastic - but Shchegolev
and doesn't hide it. He has a slightly different goal: to study and model
lyrate the behavior of the only “living” hero of the story, dreaming
Gosya andtorn between fear and love by the boy's father
a lot of killer. To do this, it is not at all necessary to observe truthfulness.
the beauty of individual episodes, it is important not to distort the main thing - and this is Alec -
Sandra Shchegolev succeeded brilliantly. And does it matter what price?
noah?.
In contrast to Shchegolev’s almost non-fiction story, “Ska-
knowledge of the Fourth Moon" by the late Vladimir Firsov is a class-
sical and very high-quality social science fiction. Written
many years ago, this book is worthy of entering the golden fund of the Soviet
what kind of fiction along with the works of the Strugatskys, Bulychev,
Mirer, Savchenko, Larionova and other science fiction writers of this generation.
Firsov’s reflections on the ways and nature of power are distinguished by their depth
and originality - especially if you remember in what years this was written
greasy. One can only regret that this is a most interesting production.
The film saw the light of day with such a monstrous delay.
Another story, also published for the first time this year on
pages of "Ural Pathfinder", dystopia by Valentin Moiseev
"The Rescuer" is quite traditional for our science fiction. Everything is ob-
it’s as usual: the country has completely collapsed, the Russian population
central regions of Russia is waging a cruel and hopeless war
for survival against former national minorities, permanent in the country
martial law, the life of a citizen is not worth a penny to the state
with joy - in a word, a familiar picture to tears.The only way out is
invite the Varangians again: “Come and rule us!” Interesting
the other is the angle from which the current situation is viewed
author. The fact is that in war conditions on many fronts the use
the calling of modern ships by Russians, with the exception of nuclear-powered ships,
became almost impossible, and the fleet had to return to
exchange of sails and tackle. Moiseev describes one of the forestry flights
cart barque of the Northern Shipping Company "Volgales", which became
last for him. It’s probably worth adding that this story was written
dignity in 1990, when there was no civil war in the extermination
There was no smell yet. And it’s written, I must say, great.
In the story by Yuri Braider and Nikolai Chadovich "Arrows of Perun with
multiple warheads" there is a little bit of everything. A little headlights
sa, a little high tragedy, a little from a philosophical parable and from
spy action movie. This mixture of genres is becoming, apparently, all
more popular in the circles of domestic science fiction writers, including
those who are no longer satisfied with the good old fantastic realism.
However, Brider and Chadovich, on the contrary, are quite happy with it.
It is not for nothing that the plot of their story goes back to the classic “1984” by Orwell -
la: love makes us free, but for this freedom at the end
tsov have to pay. In some places the story echoes earlier
works of Solzhenitsyn - what is the first phrase worth, for example?
story: "That morningPryazhkin woke up unusually early - watchman
on the Trinity Tower barely managed to hit the rail eight times."
than, the authors use the associations that have arisen quite consciously
but, creating an atmosphere quite consistent with the content of the story
half-barracks, half-barracks. One cannot help but mention the original author-
irony, which appears every now and then on the pages of the story, sometimes
completely unexpected. Don't be for this amazing irony, story,
for all its merits, it would have been read completely differently. However,
Is it really possible to discuss in all seriousness the accepted
bottom of the "Tpruni" decision, even if this "Tpruni" was paramilitary
sample?..
If we are talking about irony, then with this matter first of all
you need to contact Mikhail Uspensky, presented in this
nomination for the heavily cut novel "Dear Comrade King".
Although compared to his amazing novel the story looks
much more modestly, the author has a masterful command of words, and, it seems, knows how
joke on any topic and for any reason. Alas, if in the novel this
dizzying humor plays a subordinate role, then it comes out
comes to the fore, subordinating the logic of the narrative and transforming
collapsing in places into ponderous self-sufficient mockery, almost
satire - political or completely meaningless. Perhaps in this
the editors of Mega, where this novel was published, are to blame, but with increased
by determining the density of banter per unit of textin full compliance
with the law of transition from quantity to quality, I wanted to laugh
less and less. True, as I already said, Mikhail Uspen-
Sky, apparently, is to blame for this aberration of perception less
everything.
But Alexander Boryansky in his story “Lost Once More”
Paradise" on the contrary, in my opinion, the sense of humor was slightly lacking,
although his book became one of the brightest debuts of the last two
three years on a par with authors like Gromov and Ladyzhensky. But this one
gloominess, this murderous "seriousness"!.. A hero who grew up in
completely alone in an underground bunker, having climbed out for the first time
rkhnosti, is not even very interested in what kind of global ka-
the catastrophe occurred on the planet and how events developed after
her - instead, he introspectively reflects on the meaning of life.
When the hero of such a work, instead of deciding
reflects on a hundred specific questions recklessly, it looks like
at least somewhat far-fetched. It would be another matter if this happened
went down in the clean, bright corridors of some scientific research center, in which
a group of enthusiastic friends who also like to talk about testing
lemakhs of existence, like the main character. But when something like this happens
against the backdrop of a devastated, depopulated Earth - it’s scary. From this already
smacks of paranoia - especially when the reasoner is so focused
thorough on his problems and breathtakingly serious. Rightword, you even begin to worry about him.
Alexey Slapovsky's story "War of the Stooges" to science fiction from -
does not have any bearing, even indirect, although for me personally
The total volume of Slapovsky’s publications evokes every respect.
life This is the most ordinary modern prose with the only unknown
significant assumption: all the events described in the story are so
or otherwise precede and approximate a pre-planned local
commanders of the war between a provincial town and its even more
tat suburb. To be honest, I liked it much better
the story by the same author, “Prophetic”, which was not included in the list of nominees
dream", published some time ago in Znamya, although it
relates to fantasy no more than "War of the Goonies". By the end
At least, the ending there is not so gloomy - well, what is it really?
in fact: the main character suddenly, for no apparent reason, remains in the dust
lische, with small children in his arms, deceived, abandoned... No,
if you want to give the hero and the reader an emotional shock, then
justify everything psychologically, think through the logic of events, prepare
a clear explanation for your actions - then please.
Sergei Lukyanenko and Yuliy Burkina's stories "Today, Mom!"
Unfortunately, it is unlikely to gain popularity in wide circles.
gah of the reading public, although it has already been published by two very different
and magazines that are different in every way, like the Dnepropetrovsk "MiF" andred-
Yarsky "Day and Night" : it's too specific, too
all its delights are available to a narrow circle of people. Well, who, you ask,
from “normal” readers will understand that (or rather, who) is meant
is associated with the Ossetian Kubatai, the cook Vitmanets, the servant of the fa-
Raona Gopoy? Alas, without this knowledge much of the charm
story is lost - for example, the magnificent one falls out completely, but
The “culinary” episode is completely unnecessary from the point of view of composition.
It's a pity, the story is really wonderful. In the domestic fan
In tastic literature, works of this kind have not appeared for a long time. She
is not only masterfully written, but also leaves the reader with a long-lasting
the already seemingly forgotten feeling of lightness and carelessness, felt
the belief that, in the end, everything will be fine. Despite the fact that
Lukyanenko and Burkin are not afraid to describe things that are quite horrifying.
disgusting and disgusting, like boiling a pharaoh in boiling oil,
they do it all so easily, as if playfully, that it’s scary or
the reader does not become disgusted. Something similar was present in
the early works of the Strugatskys and in the first stories of Bulychev about Alice -
something terribly naive and at the same time warming and liberating
Reader's attention. It’s even surprising that the authors managed to get something close
banal with banalstory about a time loop, thanks to which two
the children were taken first to the future, and from there to Ancient Egypt,
where they managed to save the girl who later became their mother.
However, all this is written so dynamically that it makes you think about
There’s simply no time for this - the thing is being read at the drop of a hat.
Of the numerous works of the most prolific and talented
last year's debutant "G.L. Oldie" was included in this nomination
the stories "Fear" and "Enter the Image". If you are interested in how
at this stage of historical development one should write fantasy, then
I highly recommend these stories - because, in my opinion,
That’s how it’s worth writing. It's amazing how human consciousness is an industry-
era manages to let through the plots of the classical
fantasy, while transforming them into something completely original and
appropriate to the era.
The story of Pavel Amnuel "The last day - the first day" - the first
for several years the news that came to us from the author from the earth
promised. The story is constructed in the form of a philosophical parable with bib-
Ley filling: The Messiah appears again on Earth to provide
to instill in the unsuspecting incarnation of the almighty Lord
another opportunity to choose: whether this world will continue to exist
or does he not deserve it? First, events unfold in
post-perestroika Moscow, judging by the realities, was two or three years ago.
Lord incarnate in the simplemortal, decides that it is so
you can't live. The universe begins to rapidly collapse,
sinners - one after another disappear "according to their sins", falling into
the last one into panic and madness, but the hero who started the process is creepy
suffers from duality, because along with the shortcomings of the world it disappears -
are removed from reality and all his advantages, and, therefore, he will have to
to begin again with the primordial chaos, with the separation of Light from
Darkness... And everything would be fine if it weren’t for the amazing anthropoce-
the quintessence of the Lord’s perception of the Universe - and the attention of his co-
For some reason, it is focused on only one type of animal, and the ideas
his talk about beauty and ugliness is purely philistine, and the only thing
although he thinks exclusively of an unsuccessful king and the crown of nature
person...The moment is especially good when this deeply experiencing
collapse of the Ten Commandments, a subtle humanist explodes a Supernova, so that,
having destroyed the dinosaurs to the roots, clear the bridgehead for progress
new and promising warm-blooded animals. Somehow it’s not divine that
no matter what Paul Amnuel claimed.
And finally, the last and most significant, in my opinion, in this
nomination story - "The Sign of the Dragon" by Sergei Kazmenko. They express
the opinion that this story is unoriginal, because, they say, the idea
“The dragon is inside each of us” was first expressed by Evgeniy Schwartz.
Because in fact the age of this idea is approaching the age
that of humanity, about lawto speak of birthright, in my opinion, is not
quite correct. What Kazmenko managed to do is great
without any discounts. This story is not only impeccable in its structure
its canonical form and deep in its universal content,
but also combines the best features of the fantasy genre, social fan
tastic and classical dystopia.
If last year the “Small Form” nomination included enough
exactly a large number of almost equal in quality
stories and short stories, then this year, in my opinion, the situation
a more unambiguous situation has developed, and this time to separate the obvious leaders
it will be much easier from outsiders. For example, with all our
merits (which, I dare to hope, they have a place to be), nor
"Game Day" by A. Siletsky, nor "Cape of a Dead Dog" by A. Salomatov, nor
"Let a Hundred Flowers Wither" by A. Lezhnev, not even "Enter the River"
Lev Vershinin will not become prize winners under any circumstances.
de. So it seems to me. The rest of the stories... Well, maybe. That's all
depends on the tastes of those on whom fate will depend this time
applicants.
So, stories.
"Ivan Kublakhanov" by Viktor Pelevin - it’s strange that such things
not only included in nominations, but also still published in magazines
lah type "Mega". This is a kind of stream of consciousness of someone or
something, either not yet born, or born, but never
began to realize himself fully. Naturally,not fantasy
tick, but in its own way - very, very...
"Woman with a sofa" by Marianna Alferova. Once again
describes the apotheosis of what was so recently called “philistineism”
kim worldview", this time expressed in the fact that women in labor
prefer to give birth to a diva instead of a banal baby
nchik or there is a TV.
"Fruiter" by Vladimir Wolf - quite banal in plot,
but a witty and funny written story on the eternal theme of “curiosity”
The dark guy’s nose was torn off at the door the other day.” Looks the most interesting
a casually described society that is something in between
between the early American frontier and the free confederacy.
The main advantage of Sergei Drugal’s “Alien Customs” is
appears in a light, upbeat style, characteristic of most
works of this author. Reading the story is fun and enjoyable, re-
I don’t really want to read. But since very few people know how
today writing is so easy and fun, like Drugal, he, despite
all the naivety of its plots, has practically no competitors like
author of classic optimistic sci-fi.
"Man to Man Lazarus" by Alexander Etoev - amazing for
it is a psychological thriller, democratic in form, with the expected
unexpected ending.
"Ark on the Second Line" by Nikolai Romanetsky - philosophical
a parable that describes another version of the end of the world, after which
will be saved - with the helpalien angels - only innocent ones
babies untouched by the seal of decay. Smells strongly of "Daytime"
Triffids", but a combination of biblical and sci-fi sym-
Voliki creates a bizarre atmosphere of a quiet local apocalypse
sis on one single planet, the atmosphere of a catastrophic novel
rof, compressed to the size of a story. Which, however, is by no means
spoils.
“How tired of you all I am” by Dalia Truskinovskaya - funny, extremely
extremely sweet and typically female fantasy, brilliantly successful
toru. Simple, but tasteful. Recommended to all those who don’t like yes-
Russian prose, although this is unlikely to convince them.
"Koschey the Immortal - Poet of Demons" by Boris Stern - a story with
with its strange and mysterious history. Very pessimistic - according to
compared to Stern's other creations. A story about talents who
sometimes they turn out to be of a completely different kind than expected,
and at the same time a fairy tale about an “extra” person - this is by no means true
fun, as it may seem, but on the contrary, very serious.
"Dogs and Murderers" by G. Panchenko is a very strong story for a debut
tanta. The most important judge for each of us is our own
news, and if even the most inhumane regime manages to educate
people so that she is not silent among them, then that means at least in some
to a small extent, the sacrifices were not in vain.
And finally, two stories that I think are
most likelycandidates for this year's prize: "Fugu in
uniform" by Sergei Lukyanenko and "Saturday of Hopes" by Evgeniy Mayevsky.
They were published, by the way, in the same issue of Alma-
Ata magazine "Worlds". Short, but extremely capacious in content
neighing “alternative” to Lukyanenko and a fragment of a voluminous philosophical
Mayevsky's fsco-futuristic canvases are extremely similar to
my opinion is one thing: in both places you pay attention first of all
to the surprisingly successful combination of form in which all this is written -
but also the content that is included in it. Indeed: stylization
to a Japanese classic novel by Lukyanenko - and the transition of Russia
these are under the jurisdiction of Japan; a story in short stories by the clever Mayevsky
(remember, at least “Return”) - and the newest one, taking into account all
collisions of recent times, a version of utopia. Which of the authors in
In the end, I won’t judge whether he will receive the award. I personally feel more
I like Lukyanenko, but reading Mayevsky was more pleasant...
In a word, we'll see
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