DMITRY GROMOV, OLEG LADIZHENSKY
(HENRY LYON ALDI) (Kharkov)
R U H N U W H A S T E N A
(fiction review 1995-96)
Perhaps someone will allow themselves to disagree with
us, but we affirm: the wall erected by the publishers
on, which for so many years separated Russian writers
lei-fantasists from readers, had the honor of collapsing! Not
Let's guess whose names will be written as a result
on the ruins of autocracy, and also whether they will build
old building material, new wall; also no use
linger on the ever-memorable times of stagnation,
when some were not published due to ideological reasons, others
- for clan reasons. Let’s just remember as we go
<>, when through a collapsing building
the growth of the old Komsomol nomenklatura has sprouted and
the lush tree blossomed with a lush, but short-lived color
WTO MPF (All-Union Creative Association of Young People)
science fiction writers). This book <> is indeed
managed to publish a lot, and mostly -
collections of our, domestic science fiction; and wrong
yes, that <> printed solid waste paper
- there was enough waste paper, but they were published by Vershini-
on and Lukins, Kudryavtsev and Manova, Bryder with Chado-
Wich and Lukyanenko, whose works are very worthy
we need attention, and for the modern science fiction reader this
well known.
However, infirst row and first
seasoned graphomaniacs typed the step together, but alas and ah!
-- with the final collapse of the USSR, the WTO also collapsed,
having lost cheap sources of "Komsomol" paper
and other benefits, as well as not being able to compete with
commercial publishers who have flooded the market with
frontier science fiction in canary covers.
And the reader, with the “light” hand of the WTO, created
a strong opinion: all our fiction is gray,
boring and "soviet" in the worst sense of the word;
rare breakthroughs beyond the ordinary only confirm
give a general rule.
And the Age of Foreign Science Fiction began, during
published for several years in completely unknown
imaginable quantities. Gentlemen, she bought it!
The reader voted with all his might with rubles, coupons and others
banknotes. Soon they were published and reissued
almost ALL the best pre-convention works
Anglo-American science fiction writers, as well as pirated
pleased with the majority of post-conventional ones - how simplified
sang to reach out. Not finding any more masterpieces or even though
would be just decent works (everyone raked out the under-
clean!), the publishers "got the ore" - the same
waste paper, like before at the WTO, but imported
th production! Is it possible that the WTO prevailed
py brilliant scientists and set the teeth on edge by flying to
<>, andin the muddy wave <> and <> --
monsters with blasters, space empires, black-
white magicians with colorful dragons, fanged
ghouls and warriors with two-handed swords and muscles instead
brains (of course, flashed from time to time and
shi authors, rowing against the current or adjusting
turning towards him - but in any case it was a drop in
sea).
As a result, numerous publishers of all this
consumer goods (at the same time printed in completely
costly, hastily made translations) ourselves
dug a grave for themselves and their products: the reader for-
sick of magicians and Konans, laser swords and dragons
New tails stood across the throat, making it difficult to swallow the very
rare portions of interstellar mystical massacre - in
As a result, people hid the ruble in their pocket and went to buy
detectives. A few stubbornly engaged in "Konanism"
- in the family, as they say, there is a black sheep! - but
most...
They put science fiction in a corner - they began to count
<> literature. The boom subsided, part
publishers who did not manage to stop in time were
rela, someone started publishing reference books and English-
some tutorials, some even started selling cars
mobile phones; someone bent the old line because
The demand for science fiction has fallen, but not to zero...
And someone was surprised to discover thatus (meaning
This means all countries on the territory of the former USSR)
There are also science fiction writers. And not only gra-
craftsmen - hack workers engaged in the manufacture
third-class cripples from second-class American
action films, but also a whole galaxy of talented authors,
whose works deserve all attention and
as action-packed, that is, "commercial" literature
tour, and how Literature in general (that’s right, with pain
shoy letters!), in the broadest and deepest sense it is-
what a word!
It was then (more precisely, in mid-1995) that I mentioned
the wall we kicked at the beginning of this article finally gave
crack! Projects for domestic series began to be created.
science fiction, the first agreements were signed with
authors, paid (lo and behold!) the first advances:
publishing houses <> and <> (Moscow), <> (Nizhny Novgorod), <> (Kharkov).
The wall shook, but still stood. The first swallows are still
bet with all their might: the series <> Moscow publishing house <> (E.
Gevorkyan: <>, E. Lukin: <>, S. Ivanov: “Winds of the Empire”, books by K.
Bulychev, M. Uspensky, Y. Bryder and N. Chadovich,
S. Lukyanenko, A. Lazarchuk, V. Vasilyeva, A. Ze-
Lensky and I. Ryasny),<> below-
native publishing house "Parallel" (A. Tyurin:
<>, A. Mirer: <>, O. Larionova: <>, A. Gro-
mov: <>, G. L. Oldie (D. Gromov and O.
Ladyzhensky): <>, V. Mikhailov: <>); <> har-
Kovsky publishing house <> (G. L. Oldie:
<>, A. Lazarchuk: <>, V. Rybakov: <>, B.
Stern: <>, G. Prashkevich: <>, A. Korepanov: <>, G. L. Oldie:
<>, E. Manova: <>, A. Shchupov: <>, A. Dashkov:
<>).
Next in the "race for the leader" (that is, in the publication
Russian-language fiction) included Moscow
<> and St. Petersburg <> with joint
series "Distant Rainbow" (books by O. Larionova,
S. Ivanova, D. Truskinovskaya, A. Stolyarova, A. Ska-
Landis, E. Khaetskaya, E.Ratkevich, S. Lukyanenko, G.
L. Oldie, etc.), as well as non-serial publications:
<> (The Worlds of the Strugatsky Brothers) and mis-
tic-fantasy epic <> Kharkov-
Nina A. Valentinova. Let us say right away that the publication
We do not arrange officials according to seniority or significance.
purity, but simply based on the real time of release
real books, so they have no resentment or ambition
meaning; noted - and moved on. Moscow from-
The publishing house "EXMO" opened the series "Absolute
weapons>> (E. Gulyakovsky, V. Mikhailov, V. Golova-
chev, V. Ilyin, I. Stalnov, A. Glasev, B. Ivanov and
Yu. Shcherbatykh, A. Shchupov, M. Akhmanov, V. Zvyagintsev and
etc.) and <> (N. Perumov, G. L.
Oldie, A. Dashkov, Y. Bryder and N. Chadovich...). Eka-
Terinburg "Thesis" published books by A. Shchupov, G.
Prashkevich and S. Slepynin, Barnaul <> published a three-volume book by G. L. Oldie, Rostov
<> - collection <>, Kyiv
<> - books by M. and S. Dyachenko, L. and E. Luka-
nykh, S. Lukyanenko; Moscow <> finally
pleased L. Vershinin, G. L. Oldi, A. Tyurin.
Let's move on. Moscow <> - A. Tyu-
Rin, V. Golovachev, E. Voron;again Moscow
<> -- series <> (Gu-
Lyakovsky, Golovachev, Basov, Kalugin, Kornyukhina, N.
Perumov in co-authorship with P. Kaminskoy, S. Snows and
etc.); Moscow <> -- V. Schefner, V. Ilyin,
I. Ehrenburg, A. Maksimov, I. Pankeev, E. Zamyatin,
B. Jujunawa; St. Petersburg <> -- N. Perumov and
S. Loginov, together and alone, M. Semenova, A.
Mazin, I. Moroz, A. Bushkov, O. Grigorieva, L. The thing-
kov, Yu. Latynina, O. Avramenko, N. Podolsky; pi-
terskaya same <> -- A. Tyurin, V. Rybakov and A.
Legostaev; Moscow <> -- V. Vasiliev, Sarah-
tovskaya <> -- Yu. Latynina...
The list could go on! Even the Riga
<>, long and consistently publishing isk-
eloquent collections of essays by foreign meters,
decided to publish a previously unpublished novel by-
Sergey Alexandrovich Snegov <>. Develop programs for the publication of Russian-
noy science fiction Kiev <>, Kharkiv-
cue <> and <>, Donetsk <>,
Kaliningrad <>, Rostov <>, Smolensk <>, a number of otherspublished
bodies of Ukraine and Russia...
So you see for yourself: even just listing everything
publications of the last two years would be very difficult
clearly, let alone characterize in any detail
kill them - and even more so! Therefore, let's just stop at
Russian-language fiction released in Ukraine for
the last two years with circulations of at least 10,000 copies. (On
Ukrainian language fiction in Ukraine practically
is not published, because most of the circulations are sold
in Russia.)
1995 was still poor in serious books.
gi that can be counted on the fingers of one hand -
ki: <> Vitaly Zabirko,
<> Marina and Sergei Dyachenko; third (without
numbers) anthology of the series "Crossroads" under the name
nium <> and the author’s volume by Boris Shter-
on <>.
Zabirko's book <> (MP
<>, Donetsk, 1995), which passed somehow not-
noticeably missed by most readers, is
a classic example of "good old fashioned" science fiction
Tastics. Let's give the author credit, the book has
quite dynamic plot and well written
literary language. It’s just not particularly new
look: you read and it seems that you already have this dish
ate somewhere - either at the Strugatskys, or in other placesshah from Zabirko himself, or from someone else... This,
By the way, a very common problem for most people
modern science fiction writers (both ours and foreign): not
philosophizing slyly, go along beaten paths, use
holding the usual blasters, starships, time machines,
magic swords - and piled up endless and monotonous
different adventures of heroes. In science fiction, the beginning of the use
scratch, perhaps, the most important thing: the actual fantasy
zia, opening up new worlds and facets of existence (or non-
existence), about which no one has yet written! It's not true that
all topics have long been exhausted; but it is true that many
writers began to feel embarrassed about belonging to the guild
science fiction writers, piling up terms like fig leaves:
turborealism, cyberpunk, magical realism, post-
modernist novel... which does not prevent you from getting literature
annual prizes specifically for science fiction.
However, this is no longer impossible for Zabirko’s book.
rare attitude. Let us only add that she is completely
not readable, although you can’t call it a masterpiece.
The first book by Kiev residents Marina and Sergei Dyachenko,
published by the Kyiv publishing house <>, immediately
attracted the attention of readers. It was written in
a rare genre for us <>, where
adventures of the heroes (quite interesting and
themselves) are by no means an end in themselves, but only a means
to convey internal experiences, to trace
character development and let downreader to some fi-
losophical-sacral essence of the novel, which, not
undoubtedly present in <>. This book
smart and interesting, with original stylistic
- language moves and unexpected plot twists,
visible images of heroes... Of course, they are found in
book and some logical or psychological
inconsistencies, but who is not without sin?! By the way, <> is the first part of a trilogy, which
face should soon come out in a joint
series of publishing houses <> and <>
(Moscow - St. Petersburg).
Next is the last (for now, anyway) you-
launch of the <> series: <>
(<> (Dnepropetrovsk) - <> (Khar-
kov)).
The anthology includes: the novel “Waiting at the Crossroads”
places>> and the story <> by Henry Lyon Oldie,
included in the cycle “The Abyss of Hungry Eyes”; novel
<> from the epic <> by Andrei Va-
Lentinova, as well as stories by Elizaveta Manova and
Andrey Pechenezhsky. All authors of the book are Kharkov-
no, six of the seven works in the collection were published
rejoiced for the first time. The book was designed by Kharkov people
artists Gleb Kireev and AndreyPechenezhsky; last-
niy is also the author of three published
here are the stories.
It is impossible to talk in detail about each
book, we only note that the works of ALL auto-
ditch "Books of Nothingness" included in award nominations
<> and <>, and the novel
<> (for some reason nominated
appeared in the <> section!) took third place
based on the results of the general vote. And let's give the floor to Peters-
to whom is criticism of Sergei Berezhny:
<<... With the exit of <>
it became clear that Oldie's fantasy gravitates more towards
postmodernism, rather than just a smart adventure
some fantasy - they are increasingly inclined to describe
the development of psychologically reliable characters in symbolic
logical and metaphorical situations, which are different
can only be resolved symbolically and metaphorically.
Something similar (and even then not applied to fantasy,
and for science fiction) I only came across Ellie-
Son and Ballard. The stories themselves by Manova and
Pechenezhsky are not bad... A. Valentinov - exceptional
promising author, from whom it is quite possible
It could turn out to be our domestic Dean Koontz. In general
and overall, "The Book of Nothingness" deserves the most
readers' attention. >>
As forbooks by Boris Stern <>, then we note that it came out in the series for-
frontier fiction publishing house <>, and
if the volume of a witty Kievite and laureate of many
prizes disappeared from the book trays as soon as they appeared, then
volumes of transatlantic fiction writers were sold out everywhere
slower.
Perhaps in 1995 there were other publications in Ukraine.
some fantasy books (about small-circulation publications we
We don’t talk at all, because it’s simply impossible to cover them.
possible) - but if so, then they just didn’t get caught
in front of our eyes.
Therefore, we end with a bad harvest for fiction
1995 (which nevertheless laid the foundation
the current “breakthrough”) and move on to the year 1996.
The most noticeable phenomenon in the market published in
Ukraine of science fiction (and one of the brightest in the world)
Tabakh CIS) became the series "New Russian Science Fiction"
Kharkov publishing house <>. Talking about
this series, we experience certain moral-uh-
technical difficulties, because it is we (Dmitry Gromov
and Oleg Ladyzhensky) are its editors-
vitels. Agree, praise your own brainchild
is not entirely convenient, and scolding is at least stupid
po! And yet we will try.
In the first five-volume edition of <> (and the books in this
ries are published in "blocks" of five volumes) included:
Henry LyonOldie (Kharkov): <>. The book is composed of the novels <>, <> and <>. All these works are included in the already mentioned
the new cycle "The Abyss of Hungry Eyes" and written in
close to the Fantasy genre of <>.
Parallel worlds, the eternal struggle between Good and Evil,
Life and Death - that's just Good and Evil, Life and
Death keeps changing places, definitely getting in the way
understand: whose side is the truth on, and is there any truth?
Is this true at all? Dynamic plot, dizzying
ful adventures - leading the reader to the finale
not at all to a pile of severed heads and triumph
flat justice, but to sacramental issues
himself, which the reader must answer himself!
(At least, that’s how it was intended, but we
how much we succeeded is for the reader to judge.)
Andrey Lazarchuk (Krasnoyarsk): <>.
The book includes the novel "Soldiers of Babylon" (award
<>) and the story “There in the distance, beyond the re-
Coy>> and <>. Let us immediately note that it is not bad
the short stories themselves are noticeably inferior
with the <>, who, in our deep-
I'm convinced they are one of the bestproduced
ny Andrey Lazarchuk. Cruel, in some ways
<> stories would have been read <> years
five ago. Of course, they are written anyway
by the hand of a master, but... time is lost! But relative
Actually <> I really want to believe,
that this book is forever! Multilayer phantasma-
goric composition, where dozens of parallel mi-
moat (dimensions? probabilistic realities?) are fighting
against a common danger, without really understanding who they are
enemy... The novel is strong both in literary-philosophical and
from a plot point of view, although certainly elitist
and some may find it difficult to understand.
Read it again - you won't regret it!
Vyacheslav Rybakov (St. Petersburg): <>. The book includes the novels <> and "Pull the string">, as well as the story
<> and a selection of poems from various
years Note that Vyacheslav Rybakov is a laureate of the State
gift and other literary awards: <>, <>, <>,
<>. In our opinion, deservedly awarded
<>, written in the genre of <> (Russia escaped the revolution of 1917,communism has become... a religion (!), and the ethics of citizens is
face and all-encompassing), yet noticeably inferior to
previously published novel "Pull the Rope"
ku>>. There is almost no external fiction here - but not
this is the main thing! Fishermen with truly fantastic mas-
treachery depicts the tragedy of the people of the seventies, revealed
vomiting the purulent abscesses of the past - from which none
less able to grow a wonderful future (in any case
case, in the novel) at the cost of truly terrible sacrifices,
brought then. The emotionality of the novel is amazing
and <> can be placed in
on a par with the best examples of world literature.
Boris Stern (Kyiv): <>. To the book
included a selection of stories and short stories by B.
Stern, some of which were previously unpublished. Narya-
with the undoubted success of the author, where the subtle sadness
lyricism is combined with soft humor, and
When we were children, the world began to become surreal.
listic mystery (<>, <>, <>, <>),
as well as witty satire (<>,
<>), the book contains
and weaker things. Even Stern's skill is not
always saves you to the end<> plot
(<>, <>). However, the book as a whole is a voracious read.
For some of the works included in it, the author
received the "Eurocon" and "Bronze Snail" awards,
<>, <> and, it seems, some other
- you can’t remember them all!
Gennady Prashkevich (Novosibirsk): << Fish box
king>>. The book consisted of stories from different years, combining
united by one thing: they are all written in a living, vivid language,
and in all there is a certain riddle, a secret that
The reader will have to reveal it together with the heroes.
I must say that the intricate detective intrigue
is inherent in almost all works of G. Prashkevi-
cha, and especially the capital one that stands apart
the story "The Knight's Box", the most "fresh"
work of the collection. Here the author dramatically changed
own style, from "fantastic realism"
almost nomadic to “fantastic surrealism.”
However, this risky experiment was a complete success!
The story is read with great interest, and everything is sur-
realistic bells and whistles do not interfere with the main thing
an action that develops according to all the laws of detective
new genre. By the way, Gennady Prashkevich is a laureate
awards<> (if you forgot about something or didn’t
we know - please don't shoot the tapper, he plays like
knows how!).
In the second five-volume "New Russian Fiction"
ki >> entered:
Henry Lyon Oldie (Kharkov): <>
(novels “The Road” and “Enter the Image”, stories
<> and <>, as well as a cycle from
nine humorous films united by a common hero
stories <>). All <>, again, refers to the cycle <>. Immortal hero who lost his memory
- for such was the price of immortality - tries
save the dying world; in another world, slowly fading
giving from spiritual anemia, a genius appears
actor, around whom they immediately begin to form
all religious cults - so that through
how many decades have two armies of fanatics stood on
plain opposite each other...
Yes, D. Gromov and O. Ladyzhensky following TASS
are authorized to declare: G. L. Oldie became a laureate
awards "Fancon", "Start" and "Great Ring"!
If we write about others, it’s a sin to forget about ourselves...
Alexey Korepanov (Kirovograd): <>.
It's hard to know which genre they belong to.novels
<> and <>, as well as the stories
<> and <>, included in
this book - but tear yourself away from them without finishing reading
the end is simply impossible. Universal scavengers spa
they are stripping the Earth from... people, and Humanity is gradually
degenerates, locked in dozens of small isolated
bathing little worlds, trying in vain to find the lost
Eden. The search for the mysterious Ascanta wine in the surreal
in the world of science turn out to be a figment of the imagination
the writer's life - but the heroes unexpectedly emerge from
under the control of the creator, and ultimately the author himself
finds himself inside his own book, dying in
our world... What is this? Fantasy? Science Fiction?
Anything else? In any case, this is Literature, dos-
It’s time to read it and think about it.
Andrey Dashkov (Kharkov): <>.
This trilogy, the first part of which was published back in
1993 in the anthology "Twilight of the World" series "Perek-
restok>>, readers have been waiting for a long time. And they waited!
Here it is, the entire trilogy in its entirety, and in the edition
<> those annoying typos that
were in the first edition of the novel "Renegade".
Something like the world of Andrei Dashkov, where Senor Cold rushes about
ny Back of the Head, reminiscent of the worlds of Michael Moorcock; but
onlyDashkov's imagination is much richer than his
foreign colleague; the characters are more alive, more
understandable to us, and purely human experiences of Se-
nora do not allow the reader to drown in a kaleidoscope of magic
creative adventures of a hero wandering across the world
incredibly impossible, sometimes eerie worlds. Please
lui, Andrey Dashkov is almost the only Russian-
a bilingual author who successfully works in genres
<> (<>) and <>). By the way-
ty, in the very near future two other books by A.
Dashkova should be published in Moscow publishing house
<>.
Andrey Shchupov (Ekaterinburg): <>. This is not the first author's book of the young Ekate-
Rinburg writer; Andrey has already become a lau-
reatom "Start" as well as the prize "DEM-92" (for
the best Russian detective), and deservedly so.
The range of Shchupov's fiction extends from acute
from the most gruesome action films to deep philosophical and psychological
gical works that would honor and
to a more famous author. Including everything in between
stages. But Andrey always remains true to himself: the most
Shchupov’s sophisticated things are extremely interesting to read, even
without having a master's degree in philosophy, but in dental engineering
real action movie through the shooting no, no, and prophetic
nontrivial thoughts arise,forcing the reader
think seriously. In the book published by <>
Almost the entire spectrum of creativity is represented -
th interesting author who will certainly interest
vanities both fans of the "cool" plot and the tone
such connoisseurs of literature.
Elizaveta Manova (Israel, previously Kharkov):
<>. The book includes published
earlier stories and stories (<>, <>,
<>), and publishing
for the first time the stories "The Road to Soobitanie">, "One
from many on the roads of Darkness... >> and the novel <>.
Elizaveta Manova’s themes are striking in their diversity.
Ziem: the insane militaristic hell of <>;
coexistence of incompatible minds
races in <>; mystical hiding places of the sinner
the soul of some immortal - and dying thousands of times -
th super being in <>; joint
the darkness of human ethics and collective intelligence is distant
planets; space detective (novel <>). But
in all cases, Manova's heroes evoke sincere
the reader's sympathy - they are so masterful
written down, their desires are so humane and close to us
and thoughts, no matter where it happensaction: in the afterlife, magical dimension
or in an unknown galaxy...
The third five-volume book has now been launched <>, and we expect that before
by the end of 1996 it will be published. These are:
Andrey Valentinov (Kharkov): <>. The first published novel by Andrei Valen-
Tinova was immediately included in the award nomination lists
<> and <>. However
this book opens up a completely new quality
stage in the writer’s work, which, by the way, is
He is also a candidate of historical sciences. Novels
<> and <> carry
us, respectively, in the Peloponnese of the 13th century. BC e.
and to Europe in the 12th century. (already AD). Confused
almost a detective intrigue, incredible (but
at the same time quite logical) adventures of the heroes, with
a fair amount of mystical horror - and all this happened
walks against the backdrop of absolutely reliable historical
pictures of the past, which gives the described events
special visibility.
Elena Khaetskaya (St. Petersburg): <>. Elena Khaetskaya is well known for her love
science fiction readers based on the book "Conquerors" and, of course,
but, according to the famous novel “The Sword and the Rainbow”,
publishedpublishing house <> under
pseudonym <>. In the new book
there was a novel-cycle "The Blue Dragonflies of Babylon" and
news <> (continued
novel <>!). Both things are good in their own way
mu: romantic adventures of <> ra-
stand in stark contrast to the cruelty of the <> cycle, richly flavored with <>, which, nevertheless, looks in the text
It’s completely organic and doesn’t cause rejection at all.
This cycle is different from previous works
Helena and, apparently, is a kind of turning point
stage in her work. I think he will be interested
sen to many. Well, and the continuation of "The Sword and the Rainbow" -
like a long-awaited and beloved guest!
Sergey Gerasimov (Kharkov): <>. Ro-
man, novels and stories by Sergei Gerasimov, included
included in this book, are written in a manner of <>. The author explores the subconscious
motives for the actions of the heroes, often leading to fa-
tal consequences, the action unfolds as
in the real world and in the depths of humanity
<>. Following the best traditions, Gerasimov successfully
combines realism and fantasy withpsychoanalysis, according to
beaming a very original "alloy" where philosophical
fantastic concept gradually emerges
through intense action - and the ending is unexpected
turns everything upside down: Good turns around
Evil, a benefactor a criminal, and a psychotic maniac
pat - a just avenger...
Yuliy Burkin and Sergey Lukyanenko (Tomsk - Alma-
you): <>. A trilogy written by two
famous writers-winners of various literature
tour awards are like a glass of good champagne
- it foams with bubbles of exquisite humor, sparkles -
filled with a rainbow of subtle hints and allusions, the aroma of her one-
intoxicates the reader who first turns to
fantasy, and the <> connoisseur who will see
there are many familiar faces here; and only an inveterate mise-en-
trope will be able to read this book to the end, retaining
the former gloominess of the face and autumn in the soul.
Fedor Cheshko (Kharkov) <>. Co-
that the reader will not encounter on the pages of this
books - the primitive hunter Lame and the guardsman Che-
Kan, ancient Russian governor and Chinese commander -
monk, god Pereplut and thicket vovkulak, village
what a witch and a student of a prestigious lyceum... Visible,
convex realities of the most diverse times, dynamic
a tense plot and a subtle understanding of the psychological
gies of the characters - this is the guarantee that thisbook
not only will you want to read to the end, but also more than once
re-read it several times.
As you can see, in the publishing house's <> series there are
practically the entire spectrum of modern fantasy is staged
tics, and we, in turn, tried to select
the best works of modern authors. On-
How much this was successful is for the reader to judge. We did
what they could, let others do better!
In addition, mention should be made of the "Fanto" series
grad>> Kyiv publishing house <>. Immediately wow
We're guessing that the design of the three released in "Krang"
The books, to put it mildly, leave much to be desired. Osta-
It’s surprising how the art editor manages to
tried to accept these chaotic drawings; and technical
the editor allowed this original layout to go into print.
Of course, this did not take long to affect sales.
books, which is a pity - because their contents are
much better design.
So, the “Fantograd” series from the Kyiv publishing house
<>:
Marina and Sergey Dyachenko (Kyiv): <>. B
The book included: the story <>, the title novel
<> and the story of <>. The story in general
not bad, with bright characters, not without humor and dynamics
plot. To serious, <> things she, on our
look, somewhatholds out; there are clearly extra ones
episodes - well, I want, I want to pile up more
Keys! And too quickly hidden by the authors
the secret becomes clear to the reader! Although, in principle,
the story is good - but is aimed more at teenagers
stkov.
The same cannot be said about the novel <>. This
literature of a completely different class, with absolutely lively
our characters, soft irony and quiet sadness; for-
a tired story about a dragon who kidnapped a princess, and
the savior knight suddenly turns inside out
ku: what if the princess is not a beauty at all, but
rather the opposite? What if the knight doesn't think about her?
save? But he is forced to do this... by a dragon! What,
if... There are many such surprises throughout
novel, he reads it avidly, and after reading the last
first page, I want to shout: <> But then you realize that what’s next is already completely
another story...
It remains to sincerely congratulate Marina and Sergei on
undoubted success. We have some very talented people in front of us.
authors who have seriously declared themselves. As for the story-
for <>... Read it and rate it. And the rest-
we advise.
Lyubov and Evgeny Lukin (Volgograd) (winners
awards <>, <>,
<>, <>): <>. The book consists of almost three dozen hanging
stories and stories written by the Lukins in
different years. Not all of them are equal, not all are the same
good, some things are already outdated - but for the most part
these are very original things, with a unique <
written by Evgeny alone. And then came the co-
communication that Lyubov Lukina died suddenly
las. We offer our sincere condolences to Zhenya.
Sergey Lukyanenko (Almaty): <>. Unfortunately, this book includes far from
the best, mainly Sergei's early works
Lukyanenko. It is clear that to a certain extent they
already submit bibliographicrarity, and own
the opportunity to republish little-published works of famous
this writer was very big for publishers. Yes and
Sergei himself, naturally, did not mind (whoever
started to object?!). In the end the book turned out
average, and it is possible that the reader, for the first time
who protected the writer Lukyanenko for himself and compiled
impression of his work according to the publication of <>,
will be misled. It's a pity. Because
Sergei has wonderful things, and it’s a shame if they
won't reach someone who "broken off" on a book
<>. We really hope that by the time of release
articles, the book market will be flooded with mature works
by Sergei Lukyanenko, and on the book <>
All you have to do is smile and buy it as
rare application!
In short, let us venture to give advice: before you
thief <>, take the famous
<>, for whom Sergei
received the "Wanderer" award (by the way, he is also a laureate
<> and <>), or his new book-
gu, recently published by the publishing house <> (Mos-
kwa).
And finally, it would be simply ignorant of us to
It would be hard not to mention the only (!) in Ukraine
regularly published magazine, which is in EVERY issuepublishes science fiction by domestic authors. This is a jour-
cash <>, published in Kirovograd using funds
MChP <> its permanent editor-in-chief
Alexey Korepanov. Perhaps someone would like to
strike us and remember other magazines. But which ones?
<> (<>, Dnepropetrovsk)
and in his best years he went out from time to time, but
now, it seems, he has quietly rested in God - it’s a pity! <> (Odessa) died after the second issue. Kyiv-
Russian magazine <>, despite
title, ignores fiction, but what occasionally
prints, it’s just embarrassing to read! We don't really know,
How are things going at "Centaur" (Dnepropetrovsk), but,
apparently, and he is breathing his last, coming out sporadically
and the further you go, the less often. And more magazines, printing
We in Ukraine don’t even remember those who write science fiction!
So there is only one <> left, coming out regularly
but, once every two months, since 1992 (almost five years -
You must agree, these days it’s a long time for a magazine!)
and in every issue there must be a fantasy
ku!
So all we have to do is thank the MChP directorate
<> and the editor-in-chief of <> Alek-
Saying Korepanov, I wish the magazine to continue to appear
with the same regularity - and take your leave.I hope we're not too boring for you?
7(C) Dmitry Gromov, Oleg Ladyzhensky, November 1996
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