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עזאזל מציג לעולם את מי שכבר זכה לכינוי "ג’יימס בונד של המאה ה-19": זהו אראסט פנדורין, גיבור הסידרה הבלשית של בוריס אקונין, שהיתה לרב-מכר בינלאומי.
פנדורין, פקיד רישום זוטר, משועמם מעבודתו המייגעת במחלקת הבילוש של משטרת מוסקבה ומתחיל לחקור התאבדות תמוהה של סטודנט צעיר ועשיר. השנה היא 1876. זה עתה ראה אור ספרו של דוסטויבסקי - יומנו של סופר – ספר שדוסטויבסקי התחיל לכתוב אחרי שקרא בעיתון על התאבדות מפתיעה של צעיר עשיר ומוצלח. אקונין רומז שהדמיון מקרי; אכן, צירוף מקרים מוזר בספר המצטט את דוטויבסקי כבר בפרק הראשון.
חידות מעין אלה, כמו גם ההקדשה שפותחת את הספר - "לזכר המאה ה-19, שהספרות בה היתה גדולה, האמונה בקידמה - חסרת גבולות, והפשעים בוצעו ופוענחו בחן ובטוב-טעם" - מרמזות על כך שהרומן הבלשי הזה הוא גם משחק ספרותי מתוחכם.
פנדורין, פקיד רישום זוטר, משועמם מעבודתו המייגעת במחלקת הבילוש של משטרת מוסקבה ומתחיל לחקור התאבדות תמוהה של סטודנט צעיר ועשיר. השנה היא 1876. זה עתה ראה אור ספרו של דוסטויבסקי - יומנו של סופר – ספר שדוסטויבסקי התחיל לכתוב אחרי שקרא בעיתון על התאבדות מפתיעה של צעיר עשיר ומוצלח. אקונין רומז שהדמיון מקרי; אכן, צירוף מקרים מוזר בספר המצטט את דוטויבסקי כבר בפרק הראשון.
חידות מעין אלה, כמו גם ההקדשה שפותחת את הספר - "לזכר המאה ה-19, שהספרות בה היתה גדולה, האמונה בקידמה - חסרת גבולות, והפשעים בוצעו ופוענחו בחן ובטוב-טעם" - מרמזות על כך שהרומן הבלשי הזה הוא גם משחק ספרותי מתוחכם.
262 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
465 people are currently reading
7610 people want to read
About the author
Boris Akunin
296 books1,640 followersReal name - Grigory Shalvovich Chkhartishvili (Russian: Борис Акунин; Georgian: გრიგორი შალვას ძე ჩხარტიშვილი; Аlso see Grigory Chkhartishvili, Григорий Чхартишвили), born in Tbilisi, Georgia, in 1956. Since 1958 he lives in Moscow. Writer and translator from Japanese. Author of crime stories set in tsarist Russia. In 1998 he made his debut with novel Azazel (to English readers known as The Winter Queen), where he created Erast Pietrovich Fandorin.
B. Akunin refers to Mikhail Alexandrovich Bakunin and Akuna, home name of Anna Akhmatova, Russian poet.
In September of 2000, Akunin was named Russian Writer of the Year and won the "Antibooker" prize in 2000 for his Erast Fandorin novel Coronation, or the last of the Romanovs.
Akunin also created crime-solving Orthodox nun, sister Pelagia, and literary genres.
His pseudonyms are Анатолий Брусникин and Анна Борисова. In some Dutch editions he is also known as Boris Akoenin.
B. Akunin refers to Mikhail Alexandrovich Bakunin and Akuna, home name of Anna Akhmatova, Russian poet.
In September of 2000, Akunin was named Russian Writer of the Year and won the "Antibooker" prize in 2000 for his Erast Fandorin novel Coronation, or the last of the Romanovs.
Akunin also created crime-solving Orthodox nun, sister Pelagia, and literary genres.
His pseudonyms are Анатолий Брусникин and Анна Борисова. In some Dutch editions he is also known as Boris Akoenin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,158 reviews
April 27, 2011
I don't know if the charm of this novel translates well into English, but in its original (Russian) language this short historical mystery is delicious.
The Winter Queen (or as it was originally titled, Azazel) is the first book in a series of detective stories whose main character is Erast Fandorin. In this novel (set in 1870s Russia) Erast is a 20-year old wide-eyed youth who accidentally comes to investigate a strange case of public suicide. In spite of his naivete and innocence, Erast proves himself an astute detective and manages to untangle a world-wide conspiracy.
The best thing about this novel is that while it manages to give a taste of Russian history, culture and mentality, it never stops being a first-class entertainment, dynamic and fun.
I would recommend this book to anyone remotely interested in 19th century Russia, but who is intimidated by Tolstoy and Dostoevsky.
The Winter Queen (or as it was originally titled, Azazel) is the first book in a series of detective stories whose main character is Erast Fandorin. In this novel (set in 1870s Russia) Erast is a 20-year old wide-eyed youth who accidentally comes to investigate a strange case of public suicide. In spite of his naivete and innocence, Erast proves himself an astute detective and manages to untangle a world-wide conspiracy.
The best thing about this novel is that while it manages to give a taste of Russian history, culture and mentality, it never stops being a first-class entertainment, dynamic and fun.
I would recommend this book to anyone remotely interested in 19th century Russia, but who is intimidated by Tolstoy and Dostoevsky.
May 16, 2019
The Publisher Says: Moscow, May 1876: What would cause a talented young student from a wealthy family to shoot himself in front of a promenading public in the Alexander Gardens? Decadence and boredom, most likely, is what the commander of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Moscow Police thinks, but still he finds it curious enough to send the newest member of the division, Erast Fandorin, a young man of irresistible charm, to the Alexander Gardens precinct for more information.
Fandorin is not satisfied with the conclusion that this is an open-and-shut case, nor with the preliminary detective work the precinct has done—and for good reason: The bizarre and tragic suicide is soon connected to a clear case of murder, witnessed firsthand by Fandorin. There are many unresolved questions. Why, for instance, have both victims left their fortunes to an orphanage run by the English Lady Astair? And who is the beautiful "A.B.," whose signed photograph is found in the apparent suicide's apartment? Relying on his keen intuition, the eager sleuth plunges into an investigation that leads him across Europe, landing him at the deadly center of a terrorist conspiracy of worldwide proportions.
My Review: Young, orphaned Erast Fandorin has landed a comparatively cushy job for one whose comfortable future in czarist Russia was snatched away by the machinations of capitalists, beggaring and causing the suicide of his father: Erast is a fourteenth-class state functionary, serving a police official as amanuensis and errand-boy. It leads him into some odd alleyways, serving his about-to-retire master; his wit, his proficiency with language, his unquenchable curiosity lead his boss to allow, amused and indulgent of his junior's silly fascination with nothing criminal, Erast to investigate some odd goings-on among Moscow's Bright Young Things, including the suicide of a youth whose estate, over a million rubles, is left to elderly English philanthropist Baroness Adair.
That one fact, that odd itchy ill-fitting wool sock of a fact, unravels an international conspiracy touching every government in the world, though it is unclear that this conspiracy has any evil intent, at least to me. Erast, extremely young and naive at the outset of the book, ends it extremely young, concussed, and in no possible sense naive and inexperienced any more. How that comes about is a page-turning pleasure to read.
For once, I am glad I read the second book in the series before the first. I felt much more like I was investing my time wisely after reading Turkish Gambit than I might have had I read this book first. It's good, don't mistake me, but it's not as good as "Gambit" and it's not as clear and succinct, either.
But good golly Miss Molly, it's a ripping good read full of explosions, betrayals, and general all-around wickedness and sneakiness. It's got young love, it's got hopeless infatuation, it's got comradeship and affection, and even a *very* memorable wedding scene. I am completely entranced with its picture of czarist Russia; I am excited to discover the roots of some of Erast's oddities; and I hanker to see these books turned into movies or TV shows, like Montalbano has been. I really feel I can SEE the action as I'm reading, and that's usually so much less of an issue for me; but this series is supremely visual.
Read, and enjoy, and don't fear the commitment of time a new series requires, because like Rutledge, like Montalbano, there are a lot of 'em and they get better as time goes by.
Fandorin is not satisfied with the conclusion that this is an open-and-shut case, nor with the preliminary detective work the precinct has done—and for good reason: The bizarre and tragic suicide is soon connected to a clear case of murder, witnessed firsthand by Fandorin. There are many unresolved questions. Why, for instance, have both victims left their fortunes to an orphanage run by the English Lady Astair? And who is the beautiful "A.B.," whose signed photograph is found in the apparent suicide's apartment? Relying on his keen intuition, the eager sleuth plunges into an investigation that leads him across Europe, landing him at the deadly center of a terrorist conspiracy of worldwide proportions.
My Review: Young, orphaned Erast Fandorin has landed a comparatively cushy job for one whose comfortable future in czarist Russia was snatched away by the machinations of capitalists, beggaring and causing the suicide of his father: Erast is a fourteenth-class state functionary, serving a police official as amanuensis and errand-boy. It leads him into some odd alleyways, serving his about-to-retire master; his wit, his proficiency with language, his unquenchable curiosity lead his boss to allow, amused and indulgent of his junior's silly fascination with nothing criminal, Erast to investigate some odd goings-on among Moscow's Bright Young Things, including the suicide of a youth whose estate, over a million rubles, is left to elderly English philanthropist Baroness Adair.
That one fact, that odd itchy ill-fitting wool sock of a fact, unravels an international conspiracy touching every government in the world, though it is unclear that this conspiracy has any evil intent, at least to me. Erast, extremely young and naive at the outset of the book, ends it extremely young, concussed, and in no possible sense naive and inexperienced any more. How that comes about is a page-turning pleasure to read.
For once, I am glad I read the second book in the series before the first. I felt much more like I was investing my time wisely after reading Turkish Gambit than I might have had I read this book first. It's good, don't mistake me, but it's not as good as "Gambit" and it's not as clear and succinct, either.
But good golly Miss Molly, it's a ripping good read full of explosions, betrayals, and general all-around wickedness and sneakiness. It's got young love, it's got hopeless infatuation, it's got comradeship and affection, and even a *very* memorable wedding scene. I am completely entranced with its picture of czarist Russia; I am excited to discover the roots of some of Erast's oddities; and I hanker to see these books turned into movies or TV shows, like Montalbano has been. I really feel I can SEE the action as I'm reading, and that's usually so much less of an issue for me; but this series is supremely visual.
Read, and enjoy, and don't fear the commitment of time a new series requires, because like Rutledge, like Montalbano, there are a lot of 'em and they get better as time goes by.
July 26, 2023
قسمتی از کتاب:
... به نظر میرسد عزازیل در واقع اسم تشکیلات است. یا اینکه اسم رمز آنهاست، بیشتر چیزی مثل ورد. من این کلمه را دوبار شنیدهام، و هر دوبار قرار بوده قتلی اتفاق بیفتد.
با اینکه رمانهای جنایی و پلیسی خیلی مورد علاقم نیستند ولی ایدهی کتاب خوب بود. اولش با خودکشی یک جوان اشرافزادهی ثروتمند بخاطر یک دختر زیبا شروع میشه. بعد به مرور زمان متوجه علت این قضایا و دستهایی که پشت پرده هستند، میشویم.
... به نظر میرسد عزازیل در واقع اسم تشکیلات است. یا اینکه اسم رمز آنهاست، بیشتر چیزی مثل ورد. من این کلمه را دوبار شنیدهام، و هر دوبار قرار بوده قتلی اتفاق بیفتد.
با اینکه رمانهای جنایی و پلیسی خیلی مورد علاقم نیستند ولی ایدهی کتاب خوب بود. اولش با خودکشی یک جوان اشرافزادهی ثروتمند بخاطر یک دختر زیبا شروع میشه. بعد به مرور زمان متوجه علت این قضایا و دستهایی که پشت پرده هستند، میشویم.
January 20, 2016
This is a brilliant book. The plot is clever and full of those "no way!" moments that I love in mysteries. I laughed out loud more than once - Fandorin is such a silly and unassuming hero, and his use of the "male corset" was absolutely divine. I did see a few things coming - but the writing was such fun to read, that it didn't spoil the book for me.
I appreciate it as a work of Russian literature (excellently translated) - of course, the ending was incredibly Russian (we can't have things be TOO happy, can we?), as well as the banter between characters about famous Russian novelists and poets - even reciting some Russian poetry. I liked getting a feel for Russia and Europe during the late 19th century - and how different detective work stretching across nations must've been before the telephone and internet. This book was a pleasure on many different levels, I'd read Akunin again.
I appreciate it as a work of Russian literature (excellently translated) - of course, the ending was incredibly Russian (we can't have things be TOO happy, can we?), as well as the banter between characters about famous Russian novelists and poets - even reciting some Russian poetry. I liked getting a feel for Russia and Europe during the late 19th century - and how different detective work stretching across nations must've been before the telephone and internet. This book was a pleasure on many different levels, I'd read Akunin again.
June 27, 2022
Когато литературата за отмора не е глупава
July 11, 2018
Борис Акунин е много готин тип с типичното иронично „руско“ чувство за хумор, което не цели да разсмее читателя, а просто да се подиграе на герой или ситуация. Това е страхотно.
Иначе за романа:
Началото на поредицата за г-н Фандорин, който е нещо като може-би-руския Шерлок Холмс. Ераст ми беше по интересен от самата история и особено от нейната развръзка, но всичко беше чудесно като цяло.
Ще продължа с компанията на Акунин.
Иначе за романа:
Началото на поредицата за г-н Фандорин, който е нещо като може-би-руския Шерлок Холмс. Ераст ми беше по интересен от самата история и особено от нейната развръзка, но всичко беше чудесно като цяло.
Ще продължа с компанията на Акунин.
August 26, 2015
Absolutely and totally fun novel, reminiscent of those old cliffhanger series things. I would recommend this book to readers who like what I would call "literary" mysteries, rather than the more fast-food type of reads (although, I must say, some of the ffrs (fast-food reads) are pretty good so I'm not slamming them -- I have read hundreds in my time). Anyway, this one demands a little more of your patience & time, but you will be rewarded in the long run.
brief plot review w/o spoilers
Set in Moscow in the czarist Russia of 1876, the novel opens with a young man (a student named Kokorin) standing in front of a bench in a square full of people. The man takes out a revolver, puts it up to his head, and informs a young girl sitting there with her governess that unless she kisses him, he's going to blow his brains out. She doesn't and he does. Of course, the police are called in, and it turns out that on that same day, there were other public suicide attempts, all using the same method, all over town. The police are left baffled, but one enterprising young man, Erast Fandorin, sees that there must be more under the surface. Erast is just a newbie in the police department, but he is sharp. What follows keeps Erast on the edge of danger, and leads to a crime so vast it spills out of Russia's borders.
I could say more, but I'd wreck the story and I HATE when people do that!
Considering that this is the first in a series, the main character comes off very strong, enough to where I found myself rooting for him the entire way. You might agree with some reviewers that it's a stretch to believe that a relative newbie to the police department would be the one to be put on this case, and that a joe nobody would rise up so quickly, but hey...it's fiction. No one says this must be believable. And it's a fun story.
brief plot review w/o spoilers
Set in Moscow in the czarist Russia of 1876, the novel opens with a young man (a student named Kokorin) standing in front of a bench in a square full of people. The man takes out a revolver, puts it up to his head, and informs a young girl sitting there with her governess that unless she kisses him, he's going to blow his brains out. She doesn't and he does. Of course, the police are called in, and it turns out that on that same day, there were other public suicide attempts, all using the same method, all over town. The police are left baffled, but one enterprising young man, Erast Fandorin, sees that there must be more under the surface. Erast is just a newbie in the police department, but he is sharp. What follows keeps Erast on the edge of danger, and leads to a crime so vast it spills out of Russia's borders.
I could say more, but I'd wreck the story and I HATE when people do that!
Considering that this is the first in a series, the main character comes off very strong, enough to where I found myself rooting for him the entire way. You might agree with some reviewers that it's a stretch to believe that a relative newbie to the police department would be the one to be put on this case, and that a joe nobody would rise up so quickly, but hey...it's fiction. No one says this must be believable. And it's a fun story.
June 8, 2023
Ül a krimiíró a kocsmaasztalnál, és hullik a könnye, mint a záporeső. Odamegy hozzá a kollégája:
- Hát veled meg mi van?
- Ne is kérdezd...
- Jó, nem kérdezem - elindul a pult felé.
- Jól van, jól van, kérdezd meg inkább.
- Oké. Hát veled meg mi van?
- Semmi.
- Ne idegesíts.
- Bocs. Szóval egy recenzió...
- Aha. Lehúzták.
- Rosszabb. Azt írták, "aranyos".
- Huh. Durva. Vendégem vagy, mit iszol?
- Mindent. Krimiíró vagyok, nem?
Akunyin krimijei érzésem szerint nem is annyira bűntörténetek, hanem a krimik zsánerelemeivel felturbózott stílusgyakorlatok. Ezzel pedig nincs az ég adta egy világon semmi baj, főleg mert szövegileg remek produktumok, árad belőlük az orosz XIX. század franciás illata, amit kellemes mellékízekkel gazdagít, hogy közben van egy zseniális Eraszt Fandorinunk is, aki ebben a pszeudotolsztoji közegben üldözi a bűnt.
Az se gond, hogy ebben a kötetben Eraszt még nem annyira zseni - inkább a hebehurgya kifejezés illene rá. Végtére is minden detektív volt pelyhes kiskacsa, még a nagy Sherlock is biztos sután botorkált az élet ösvényén, mielőtt elméje teljes vértezetbe öltözött. Az eredettörténeteknek amúgy is nagy divatja van, az olvasót (mozirajongót) érdekli, hőse hogy lett az, aki, mert ez emberibbé teszi. Fandorin is letett már annyit az asztalra, hogy kapjon egy ilyet.
Csak az a krimiszál. Az ne lenne ennyire harmatos.
Van olyan, amikor az olvasó rájön, ki a tettes, párhuzamosan a detektívvel, vagy akár őt megelőzve. Ilyenkor általában jogos büszkeséget érez. Én rájöttem (előbb), de a büszkeségnek még a nyomát sem találtam magamban. Ez a "rejtély" ugyanis annyira egyosztatú, olyan kevés potenciális gyanúsítottal dolgozik a szerző, hogy inkább kihívás rosszul megtippelni az elkövetőt, mint jól. Aláírom, Fandorin még naiv és tapasztalatlan, de hát amit művel, túlmegy minden határon. Bántóan kevéssé támaszkodik sokat dicsért intuícióira és elemzőkészségére, nyomozati munkája kimerül abban, hogy "Nézd, itt egy feneketlen szakadék! Leugrom, hátha kimegy a bokám." És tényleg leugrik, és tényleg kimegy a bokája, de valahogy mégis megússza - logikai apparátus helyett a rohadt nagy mákjára támaszkodik*, ami engem mindig idegesít.
Ha az elkövető személye nem is annyira titok, a motivációja még lehet érdekes, és igaz is, hogy ebben az aspektusban Akunyin tudott újat mutatni. De hiába vetett fel érdekes dilemmákat, itt meg azt éreztem, hogy kényszeresen valami hatalmas nagyot akar markolni. James Bond betegsége ez, ő se elégszik meg kevesebbel: ha nem a világuralom megszerzése az ellenség célja, fel se kel reggel az ágyból**. Túl grandiózus az egész, ami ordító ellentétbe kerül azzal, hogy Fandorinunk egyszerűen még nincs kész. Gigantomán összeesküvés vs. tojásból éppen kikelt kiscsirke... valahogy nem passzol ez a két elem. Talán praktikusabb lett volna valami emberi léptékű bűntettel nyitni. Pedig mint szöveg, az Azazel helyenként kiemelkedő irodalmi minőség, ám mint történet, összeroppan saját nagyravágyása alatt.
Megjegyz.: Bár a fülszöveg szerint ez a legelső Fandorin-sztori, nekem inkább olyasfajta munkának tűnt, amit a kiégett krimiírók szoktak letenni az asztalra, amikor nyomozójuk már baromi népszerű lett, ők meg viszonylag kevés fáradtsággal szeretnének lehúzni róla még egy bőrt. Igen, így belegondolva: ez is az "eredettörténet" egyik lehetséges definíciója.
* Enyhe spoilerjel alatt mondom: azért a végkifejlet árnyalja kissé mindazt, amit Fandorin mákjáról mondtam. Ez mondjuk érdekes volt, meglepett, mint ahogy az is, hogy Akunyin mennyi nyitott kérdést hagyott a végén. De ez az összképen alig változtatott.
** Jó, hát ez amúgy nem James Bond találmánya. Doyle óta tudjuk, hogy minél zseniálisabbra van megírva a nyomozó, annál zseniálisabb bűnözőt kell mellé teremteni - Sherlock nem elégedhet meg holmi tyúklopásokkal, neki minimum a "bűn Napóleonjával" kell szembenéznie. Minden hőstörténetet némiképp a drogfüggés logikája mozgat: folyton emelni kell a dózist. Ha a protagonista szintet lép, az ellenfeleknek is így kell tenniük, különben unatkozni fogunk. És velük párhuzamosan az olvasó (néző) ingerküszöbe is csak nő és nő, a határ a csillagos ég.
- Hát veled meg mi van?
- Ne is kérdezd...
- Jó, nem kérdezem - elindul a pult felé.
- Jól van, jól van, kérdezd meg inkább.
- Oké. Hát veled meg mi van?
- Semmi.
- Ne idegesíts.
- Bocs. Szóval egy recenzió...
- Aha. Lehúzták.
- Rosszabb. Azt írták, "aranyos".
- Huh. Durva. Vendégem vagy, mit iszol?
- Mindent. Krimiíró vagyok, nem?
Akunyin krimijei érzésem szerint nem is annyira bűntörténetek, hanem a krimik zsánerelemeivel felturbózott stílusgyakorlatok. Ezzel pedig nincs az ég adta egy világon semmi baj, főleg mert szövegileg remek produktumok, árad belőlük az orosz XIX. század franciás illata, amit kellemes mellékízekkel gazdagít, hogy közben van egy zseniális Eraszt Fandorinunk is, aki ebben a pszeudotolsztoji közegben üldözi a bűnt.
Az se gond, hogy ebben a kötetben Eraszt még nem annyira zseni - inkább a hebehurgya kifejezés illene rá. Végtére is minden detektív volt pelyhes kiskacsa, még a nagy Sherlock is biztos sután botorkált az élet ösvényén, mielőtt elméje teljes vértezetbe öltözött. Az eredettörténeteknek amúgy is nagy divatja van, az olvasót (mozirajongót) érdekli, hőse hogy lett az, aki, mert ez emberibbé teszi. Fandorin is letett már annyit az asztalra, hogy kapjon egy ilyet.
Csak az a krimiszál. Az ne lenne ennyire harmatos.
Van olyan, amikor az olvasó rájön, ki a tettes, párhuzamosan a detektívvel, vagy akár őt megelőzve. Ilyenkor általában jogos büszkeséget érez. Én rájöttem (előbb), de a büszkeségnek még a nyomát sem találtam magamban. Ez a "rejtély" ugyanis annyira egyosztatú, olyan kevés potenciális gyanúsítottal dolgozik a szerző, hogy inkább kihívás rosszul megtippelni az elkövetőt, mint jól. Aláírom, Fandorin még naiv és tapasztalatlan, de hát amit művel, túlmegy minden határon. Bántóan kevéssé támaszkodik sokat dicsért intuícióira és elemzőkészségére, nyomozati munkája kimerül abban, hogy "Nézd, itt egy feneketlen szakadék! Leugrom, hátha kimegy a bokám." És tényleg leugrik, és tényleg kimegy a bokája, de valahogy mégis megússza - logikai apparátus helyett a rohadt nagy mákjára támaszkodik*, ami engem mindig idegesít.
Ha az elkövető személye nem is annyira titok, a motivációja még lehet érdekes, és igaz is, hogy ebben az aspektusban Akunyin tudott újat mutatni. De hiába vetett fel érdekes dilemmákat, itt meg azt éreztem, hogy kényszeresen valami hatalmas nagyot akar markolni. James Bond betegsége ez, ő se elégszik meg kevesebbel: ha nem a világuralom megszerzése az ellenség célja, fel se kel reggel az ágyból**. Túl grandiózus az egész, ami ordító ellentétbe kerül azzal, hogy Fandorinunk egyszerűen még nincs kész. Gigantomán összeesküvés vs. tojásból éppen kikelt kiscsirke... valahogy nem passzol ez a két elem. Talán praktikusabb lett volna valami emberi léptékű bűntettel nyitni. Pedig mint szöveg, az Azazel helyenként kiemelkedő irodalmi minőség, ám mint történet, összeroppan saját nagyravágyása alatt.
Megjegyz.: Bár a fülszöveg szerint ez a legelső Fandorin-sztori, nekem inkább olyasfajta munkának tűnt, amit a kiégett krimiírók szoktak letenni az asztalra, amikor nyomozójuk már baromi népszerű lett, ők meg viszonylag kevés fáradtsággal szeretnének lehúzni róla még egy bőrt. Igen, így belegondolva: ez is az "eredettörténet" egyik lehetséges definíciója.
* Enyhe spoilerjel alatt mondom: azért a végkifejlet árnyalja kissé mindazt, amit Fandorin mákjáról mondtam. Ez mondjuk érdekes volt, meglepett, mint ahogy az is, hogy Akunyin mennyi nyitott kérdést hagyott a végén. De ez az összképen alig változtatott.
** Jó, hát ez amúgy nem James Bond találmánya. Doyle óta tudjuk, hogy minél zseniálisabbra van megírva a nyomozó, annál zseniálisabb bűnözőt kell mellé teremteni - Sherlock nem elégedhet meg holmi tyúklopásokkal, neki minimum a "bűn Napóleonjával" kell szembenéznie. Minden hőstörténetet némiképp a drogfüggés logikája mozgat: folyton emelni kell a dózist. Ha a protagonista szintet lép, az ellenfeleknek is így kell tenniük, különben unatkozni fogunk. És velük párhuzamosan az olvasó (néző) ingerküszöbe is csak nő és nő, a határ a csillagos ég.
May 4, 2016
For the first half of this book, I was of the opinion that this was an 'ok' crime thriller, but one (like a few others I have read) which felt a bit thin. Some historical crime thrillers feel to me a bit like once the well-researched chosen cultural and chronological aspects are stripped away, you're not left with much except a simple story dressed up in unusual words. This had some strange names and social ranks, and the story set up in a fairly likeable way, the first half was fairly enjoyable.
But the second half, especially the final twist(s), was just silly. The repetitive superhuman and seemingly psychic qualities of the central character just got unbelievable, yet his blundering stupidity to get into the scrapes he then extracted himself from in amazing manner.. this was ridiculous too. There wasn't much wrong with the writing and much of the characterisation, but the plot was just daft. Meh. I read the last hundred pages quickly, rolling my eyes at the multiple sillinesses.
But the second half, especially the final twist(s), was just silly. The repetitive superhuman and seemingly psychic qualities of the central character just got unbelievable, yet his blundering stupidity to get into the scrapes he then extracted himself from in amazing manner.. this was ridiculous too. There wasn't much wrong with the writing and much of the characterisation, but the plot was just daft. Meh. I read the last hundred pages quickly, rolling my eyes at the multiple sillinesses.
January 1, 2010
Boris Akunin is actually a pen name of Grigory Chkhartishvili (bless you), according to the "About the Author" section in the back. "Akunin" is Japanese for "villain", a rather fitting pen-surname for someone who is apparently legendary in Russia for his crime novels. The Winter Queen is one of three mysteries featuring the detective Erast Fandorin. I understand all three of them were made into big Russian blockbuster movies. I think I might like the better movie. I'm just sayin'. This particular story is being remade into an English film coming out next year. Thank god for Wikipedia for those of us who live under rocks.
Akunin has the opportunity to create a really awesome detective, a Russian James Bond, if you will - yet I found Fandorin to be rather a wiener. He's a 20-year-old detective, still wet around the ears, who uncovers a plot for world domination. In Moscow, 1876. The concept seems pretty awesome, but my literary planets were clearly not aligned and I found myself mentally snoozing most of the way through this. Which is sort of a hard feat if it's meant to be a conspiracy novel. I expect these sorts of books to grab me from the beginning, shake me like a dog toy, and not let go until the end, when my proverbial neck is broken.
I might check out the other two Fandorin novels. I want to like this guy because he's Russian, but I'm wondering if maybe I have a problem with contemporary Russian authors (ugh, Victor Pelevin) and may just need to stick to the classic Russian writers who had to write to save their lives.
I wouldn't tell others to not read this book. I think a lot of people probably like it. Hell, all of Russia can not be wrong. They love this guy there, so I figure the fault is on my own side. So knock yourself out, and I promise to someday (no rush) check out another book by him. In the meantime someone needs to recommend a contemporary Russian author who isn't crap.
Akunin has the opportunity to create a really awesome detective, a Russian James Bond, if you will - yet I found Fandorin to be rather a wiener. He's a 20-year-old detective, still wet around the ears, who uncovers a plot for world domination. In Moscow, 1876. The concept seems pretty awesome, but my literary planets were clearly not aligned and I found myself mentally snoozing most of the way through this. Which is sort of a hard feat if it's meant to be a conspiracy novel. I expect these sorts of books to grab me from the beginning, shake me like a dog toy, and not let go until the end, when my proverbial neck is broken.
I might check out the other two Fandorin novels. I want to like this guy because he's Russian, but I'm wondering if maybe I have a problem with contemporary Russian authors (ugh, Victor Pelevin) and may just need to stick to the classic Russian writers who had to write to save their lives.
I wouldn't tell others to not read this book. I think a lot of people probably like it. Hell, all of Russia can not be wrong. They love this guy there, so I figure the fault is on my own side. So knock yourself out, and I promise to someday (no rush) check out another book by him. In the meantime someone needs to recommend a contemporary Russian author who isn't crap.
August 2, 2025
3.5 Nie przypuszczałam, że to kryminał z humorem w tle, ale ta końcówka 😔
March 8, 2020
Oh wow! I did not expect this book to be so good. And so funny. Earlier I heard a lot of good things about this series. But now I've found out what a good story it is myself.
This book has everything. A great and interesting plot, a fantastic main character and lots of humor. Let's start with the plot, because ultimately this is the reason why you read a detective novel, right? I really like when the book starts with a strong blow, when we find the corpse on the first few pages. And I love when immediately afterwards, without undue delay, we start looking for a villain. I prefer to get to know my heroes through subsequent events in the book. And this is what’ve got here. On the first pages we see a strange suicide, and a few pages later Fandorin begins to look for answers. What more could you want? The story is complicated and interesting, there are so many suspects. All the time, you don’t know exactly what happened and who is involved in it. Friends turn out to be enemies, nobody can be trusted. A really great story. I really wanted to know what would happen next.
And in the middle of it all is Fandorin. I am surprised how much his character evolves during this short book. It doesn't happen that often. And I must say that I love all his faces. From a shy young boy to a confident agent. Fandorin is simply a very well-written character. He is intelligent, clever and learns very quickly (especially on his mistakes). Every good story deserves an intelligent main character who is easy to like. I am very happy that this one has it. I will gladly meet Fandorin in the next books.
And finally humor. As a rule, I don't like funny books and movies, because they rarely entertain me and more often I found them annoying. I have a specific sense of humor, but I generally like intelligent humor. And this book has just that. I can't say how many times I really laughed when I read this story. It's hilarious. For a long time I was looking for something like this, a lighter story full of good humor. I'm glad that I finally came across such a book.
The only thing I would change is the ending. And I do not mean the end of the criminal intrigue. I am talking about the last scene in the book, which surprised me with its sad and tragic character. The whole book is so cheerful and funny that I didn't expect it at all. I would prefer it to end up completely different. I wonder if this topic will continue in the next books.
I'm so glad I finally read this book. Certainly this is not my last meeting with Fandorin.
This book has everything. A great and interesting plot, a fantastic main character and lots of humor. Let's start with the plot, because ultimately this is the reason why you read a detective novel, right? I really like when the book starts with a strong blow, when we find the corpse on the first few pages. And I love when immediately afterwards, without undue delay, we start looking for a villain. I prefer to get to know my heroes through subsequent events in the book. And this is what’ve got here. On the first pages we see a strange suicide, and a few pages later Fandorin begins to look for answers. What more could you want? The story is complicated and interesting, there are so many suspects. All the time, you don’t know exactly what happened and who is involved in it. Friends turn out to be enemies, nobody can be trusted. A really great story. I really wanted to know what would happen next.
And in the middle of it all is Fandorin. I am surprised how much his character evolves during this short book. It doesn't happen that often. And I must say that I love all his faces. From a shy young boy to a confident agent. Fandorin is simply a very well-written character. He is intelligent, clever and learns very quickly (especially on his mistakes). Every good story deserves an intelligent main character who is easy to like. I am very happy that this one has it. I will gladly meet Fandorin in the next books.
And finally humor. As a rule, I don't like funny books and movies, because they rarely entertain me and more often I found them annoying. I have a specific sense of humor, but I generally like intelligent humor. And this book has just that. I can't say how many times I really laughed when I read this story. It's hilarious. For a long time I was looking for something like this, a lighter story full of good humor. I'm glad that I finally came across such a book.
The only thing I would change is the ending. And I do not mean the end of the criminal intrigue. I am talking about the last scene in the book, which surprised me with its sad and tragic character. The whole book is so cheerful and funny that I didn't expect it at all. I would prefer it to end up completely different. I wonder if this topic will continue in the next books.
I'm so glad I finally read this book. Certainly this is not my last meeting with Fandorin.
September 3, 2007
I have no idea why this series is so popular. It fails as historical fiction. It fails as detective fiction. It fails in pretty much every way imaginable.
I did enjoy the part where the hero was saved by his own vanity in the shape of a 'Lord Byron' corset.
July 15, 2023
شیفته ی ادبیات روس که هستم؛ طرفدار پر و پا قرصِ ادبیات جنایی هم همین طور؛ ولی افسوس که کمیاب است اثر جنایی تر و تمیزی که توسط روس ها نوشته شده باشد. هدفم از این مقدمه توصیف تجربه ی جدیدم بود با خواندن این رمان پرمغز و مستحکم که فراتر از انتظارم ظاهر شد و فی الواقع موهبتی بود در این روزها!
پ.ن: باز هم یادآوری می کنم که انتخاب های سرکار خانم یلدا بیدختی نژاد بی نظیرند و خواندنی…
پ.ن: باز هم یادآوری می کنم که انتخاب های سرکار خانم یلدا بیدختی نژاد بی نظیرند و خواندنی…
April 11, 2021
Really well done historical mystery set in St. Petersburg. We observe the rising career of Erast Fandorin who manages to confound a global conspiracy from the smallest of starts.
May 23, 2012
A to Z project, book 6
What a delightful mystery/adventure! Set in 1876 in Russia (and other parts of Europe) it follows an energetic but naive young man who has just begun a career as a minor functionary in the Moscow police. Erast Fandorin is something new (or perhaps something old made new again), a character who succeeds not through his abilities, although he is not without talents, but because fate seems to be on his side.
Akunin catches the tone of Victorian adventure very well. Plotwise, this reminded me of one of Sherlock Holmes's escapades: a small local crime that expands into a big (and admittedly rather silly) international conspiracy.
There's a dark twist at the end that has me anxious to continue in this series. On to The Turkish Gambit!
What a delightful mystery/adventure! Set in 1876 in Russia (and other parts of Europe) it follows an energetic but naive young man who has just begun a career as a minor functionary in the Moscow police. Erast Fandorin is something new (or perhaps something old made new again), a character who succeeds not through his abilities, although he is not without talents, but because fate seems to be on his side.
Akunin catches the tone of Victorian adventure very well. Plotwise, this reminded me of one of Sherlock Holmes's escapades: a small local crime that expands into a big (and admittedly rather silly) international conspiracy.
There's a dark twist at the end that has me anxious to continue in this series. On to The Turkish Gambit!
March 5, 2020
Darīts! Jūtos lepna, ka pabeidzu lasīt grāmatu krievu valodā (bet ne par to šis aprakstiņš).
Man nav daudz detektīvromānu, ar ko salīdzināt, jo īsti nesaista šis žanrs, tāpēc varbūt būšu nepopulāra viedokļa pārstāvis. Bet.. man šis romāns šķita naivs.
Dažbrīd līdz absurdam izspēlēts, ka kur nu varonis griežas, tieši tur notiek visa darbība un aizvijas pavediens.
Beigas labi pavērsās, bet man tā vien šķita, ka kaut kam taču ir jānotiek, lai autors varētu turpināt grāmatu sēriju.
Varbūt kaut kad vēlāk nākamās daļas palasīšu vien aiz intereses, vai galvenais varonis joprojām tik naiviņš un veiksmīgs savos atklājumos.
Vairāk uz 3,5* velk, bet jāapaļo uz augšu.
Man nav daudz detektīvromānu, ar ko salīdzināt, jo īsti nesaista šis žanrs, tāpēc varbūt būšu nepopulāra viedokļa pārstāvis. Bet.. man šis romāns šķita naivs.
Dažbrīd līdz absurdam izspēlēts, ka kur nu varonis griežas, tieši tur notiek visa darbība un aizvijas pavediens.
Beigas labi pavērsās, bet man tā vien šķita, ka kaut kam taču ir jānotiek, lai autors varētu turpināt grāmatu sēriju.
Varbūt kaut kad vēlāk nākamās daļas palasīšu vien aiz intereses, vai galvenais varonis joprojām tik naiviņš un veiksmīgs savos atklājumos.
Vairāk uz 3,5* velk, bet jāapaļo uz augšu.
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February 18, 2016آلن فارست، نویسندهی رمانهای جاسوسی تاریخی که او را وارث سنت کسانی چون گراهام گرین و اریک میلر میدانند دربارهی رمان (عزازیل) میگوید: استادانه، پیچیده، و تا بن دندان تزاری و روسی. انگار تالستوی قصد کند داستانی جنایی بنویسد و نتیجه، (عزازیل) از آب درآید. رمانی شگفت انگیز و جذاب و تا حدودی متفاوت از آنچه تا کنون خواندهاید
April 12, 2024
לסקירה מפורטת בעברית, קישור לבלוג שלי -
https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/עזאז...
https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/עזאז...
October 24, 2017
Το βιβλίο ξεκινάει με μια δυναμική εισαγωγή, παραπέμποντας μάλιστα σε μια φράση απ’ το Ημερολόγιο Συγγραφ��ως του Ντοστογιέφσκι που με τη σειρά της δίνει την αρχική υπόθεση εργασίας που βασίζεται στο κοινό ( σχεδόν ) θέμα του εξαιρετικού Ευγένιος Ονιέγκιν και του θεϊκού Ημερολόγιο ενός περιττού ανθρώπου ( επιβεβαιώνεται αυτό άλλωστε απ’ την αγάπη που έτρεφε ο Ντοστογιέφσκι για τον Πούσκιν ). Οι περιττοί άνθρωποι που τα βρίσκουν όλα έτοιμα στη ζωή κι απ’ αρχής γεύονται κάθε χαρά, πολυτέλεια, λαγνεία, κακοδιαχείριση της ζωής του που μπορεί να αγοραστεί με τα χρήματα και την κοινωνική τάξη. Δεν έχουν κανένα κίνητρο για ζωή και οδηγούνται σταδιακά στην πλήξη κι από ‘κει στην παραίτηση. Με μια τέτοια δάφνη το μυθιστόρημα έβαλε πολύ ψηλά τον πήχη. Σε αυτό το σημείο δε με απογοήτευσε, το κλίμα του παραπέμπει τόσο στις ιστορίες μυστηρίου του Ντίκενς, όσο και στην ατμόσφαιρα που πρωτοστατεί στο Ημερολόγιο του Τουργκένιεφ. Επιπλέον το χιούμορ του βιβλίου είναι πολύ καλό και ο Φαντόριν ένας εκκολαπτόμενος ντετέκτιβ με τους λάθος συλλογισμούς και τους σωστούς, την απειρία, τις γκάφες του.
Είναι ενδιαφέρον επίσης σα σκεπτικό ότι ο Μπρίλινγκ του μαθαίνει να εξάγει συμπέρασμα μέσω του μηχανισμού αλληλοεξαρτώμενων επιχειρημάτων της Λογικής και που ωστόσο όμως καταντάει πολύ κουραστικό κάθε λίγο αυτό το πρώτον, δεύτερον κλπ ενώ όταν βλέπουμε πέρα απ’ αυτούς τους δύο να το χρησιμοποιούν κι άλλοι, όπως πχ η Λαίδη γίνεται ως και ενοχλητικό. Υπάρχουν παράλληλα υπερβολές τόσο στο λόγο, όσο και σεναριακές πατάτες σαν τους δυο κακοποιούς, το Φραντς και τον Άγγλο, που με το σακί κάθονται και παίζουν την κολοκυθιά.
Ένα ενδιαφέρον στοιχείο που βλέπουμε να κάνει χρήση ο συγγραφέας ακόμη και με το ψευδώνυμο του ‘’Ακούνιν’’ που βέβαια ο ίδιος ισχυρίζεται πως δεν παραπέμπει στο Μπακούνιν, αλλά σε μια γιαπωνέζικη λέξη, είναι πως χρησιμοποιεί ομόηχα ονόματα, με αποτέλεσμα να οδηγείται η σκέψη σε άλλα μονοπάτια. Πχ το όνομα του Πιοτρ Κοκόριν παραπέμπει σ’ εκείνο του Πιοτρ Κροπότκιν, που ενώ τον παρουσιάζει αρχικά σαν Περιττό άνθρωπο, όταν κάνει τη σύνδεση των Μηδενιστών με την Αναρχία, είναι πολύ εύκολο να δεις μια σύνδεση που δεν υπάρχει απαραίτητα.
Δεν αφήνει λεπτομέρειες στην πλοκή, είναι καλοδουλεμένο, ως προς το μυστήριο ήταν ικανοποιητικό. Είχε τα περιθώρια ν’ αποφύγει κλισεδιές, δυστυχώς δεν το έκανε. Επιπλέον, ενώ η ατμόσφαιρα είναι πολύ ωραία, ειδικά το βράδυ της Κυριακής που το ξεκίνησα, μου άρεσε, με διασκέδασε. Όσο όμως κι αν ερεθίζει διανοητικά και δημιουργεί ωραίο κλίμα που σε πείθει για την εποχή που πραγματεύεται -μου άρεσε επίσης η σπουδή του πάνω στη Φυσική Κλίση του Σοπενάουερ και η παραπομπή στο Δαρβίνο – δεν ξυπνάει κανένα συναίσθημα, τουλάχιστον όχι σε ‘μενα.
Με λίγα λόγια, ήταν ένα καλό αστυνομικό, καλύτερο από άλλα, που υποστήριξε επίσης το ατμοσφαιρικό στοιχείο των αριστουργημάτων στα οποία παραπέμπει, είναι διασκεδαστικό και οι χαρακτήρες έχουν μια δομή που σχεδόν τους κάνει ν’ αποκτούν διαστάσεις. Ήταν ένα σχεδόν καλό πρωτόλειο αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα, πιστεύω.
Είναι ενδιαφέρον επίσης σα σκεπτικό ότι ο Μπρίλινγκ του μαθαίνει να εξάγει συμπέρασμα μέσω του μηχανισμού αλληλοεξαρτώμενων επιχειρημάτων της Λογικής και που ωστόσο όμως καταντάει πολύ κουραστικό κάθε λίγο αυτό το πρώτον, δεύτερον κλπ ενώ όταν βλέπουμε πέρα απ’ αυτούς τους δύο να το χρησιμοποιούν κι άλλοι, όπως πχ η Λαίδη γίνεται ως και ενοχλητικό. Υπάρχουν παράλληλα υπερβολές τόσο στο λόγο, όσο και σεναριακές πατάτες σαν τους δυο κακοποιούς, το Φραντς και τον Άγγλο, που με το σακί κάθονται και παίζουν την κολοκυθιά.
Ένα ενδιαφέρον στοιχείο που βλέπουμε να κάνει χρήση ο συγγραφέας ακόμη και με το ψευδώνυμο του ‘’Ακούνιν’’ που βέβαια ο ίδιος ισχυρίζεται πως δεν παραπέμπει στο Μπακούνιν, αλλά σε μια γιαπωνέζικη λέξη, είναι πως χρησιμοποιεί ομόηχα ονόματα, με αποτέλεσμα να οδηγείται η σκέψη σε άλλα μονοπάτια. Πχ το όνομα του Πιοτρ Κοκόριν παραπέμπει σ’ εκείνο του Πιοτρ Κροπότκιν, που ενώ τον παρουσιάζει αρχικά σαν Περιττό άνθρωπο, όταν κάνει τη σύνδεση των Μηδενιστών με την Αναρχία, είναι πολύ εύκολο να δεις μια σύνδεση που δεν υπάρχει απαραίτητα.
Δεν αφήνει λεπτομέρειες στην πλοκή, είναι καλοδουλεμένο, ως προς το μυστήριο ήταν ικανοποιητικό. Είχε τα περιθώρια ν’ αποφύγει κλισεδιές, δυστυχώς δεν το έκανε. Επιπλέον, ενώ η ατμόσφαιρα είναι πολύ ωραία, ειδικά το βράδυ της Κυριακής που το ξεκίνησα, μου άρεσε, με διασκέδασε. Όσο όμως κι αν ερεθίζει διανοητικά και δημιουργεί ωραίο κλίμα που σε πείθει για την εποχή που πραγματεύεται -μου άρεσε επίσης η σπουδή του πάνω στη Φυσική Κλίση του Σοπενάουερ και η παραπομπή στο Δαρβίνο – δεν ξυπνάει κανένα συναίσθημα, τουλάχιστον όχι σε ‘μενα.
Με λίγα λόγια, ήταν ένα καλό αστυνομικό, καλύτερο από άλλα, που υποστήριξε επίσης το ατμοσφαιρικό στοιχείο των αριστουργημάτων στα οποία παραπέμπει, είναι διασκεδαστικό και οι χαρακτήρες έχουν μια δομή που σχεδόν τους κάνει ν’ αποκτούν διαστάσεις. Ήταν ένα σχεδόν καλό πρωτόλειο αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα, πιστεύω.
February 27, 2020
Labs klasiskais detektīvs. Lasītājs ir liecinieks jaunā Erasta Fandorina pieaugšanai, kamēr viņš velta visas savas pūles atklāt patiesību gudro noziedzinieku savilktajos tīmekļos!
December 20, 2016
Признавам си, че твърде егоистично започнах да чета книгата, докато бях в Москва. Но това само прираде допълнително очарование на стила на Акунин, който ме изненада приятно. Фандорин е променящ се и многолик образ, но белязан с определен хумор, който присъства в целия роман, макар криминалната атмосфера и жанр.
Криминалетата не са моята страст, но историята беше добре изградена за жанра, с достатъчно обрати, изходи и изненадващ завършек.
Тъкмо финалът ме подтиква да продължа със следващата книга за героя, не толкова от интерес към новите му случаи, колкото от любопиство към развитието на образа от нервен и енергичен младеж в нещо много по-мрачно и дълбоко.
Криминалетата не са моята страст, но историята беше добре изградена за жанра, с достатъчно обрати, изходи и изненадващ завършек.
Тъкмо финалът ме подтиква да продължа със следващата книга за героя, не толкова от интерес към новите му случаи, колкото от любопиство към развитието на образа от нервен и енергичен младеж в нещо много по-мрачно и дълбоко.
February 28, 2021
8 out of 10
I've seen the tv adaptation of this book almost 20 years ago. Yeah, I'm that old, gooosh. And I really liked it but decided to read the original story only now. It's turned out that the adaptation was very close to the book, and I still remember all the twists (I'm old, but dementia didn't come yet xD) so no surprises waited for me here. And still, I enjoyed the writing and am going to continue with the series.
July 15, 2007
I discovered Boris Akunin last year and immediately fell into his prosaic style. His novels are full of humor and suspense and there are parts that made me laugh aloud. These books are a fun, riotous read that you don't want to put down until you've completed each and every one of them.
March 21, 2022
Жестока книга!
Аудио варианта е невероятен, да слушаш и да се наслаждаваш само.
Колкото до романа - интересен и непредвидим във всяко отношение. Беше удоволствие да се потопя в тази история.
Авторът определено ме заинтригува.
Аудио варианта е невероятен, да слушаш и да се наслаждаваш само.
Колкото до романа - интересен и непредвидим във всяко отношение. Беше удоволствие да се потопя в тази история.
Авторът определено ме заинтригува.
May 24, 2021
3,5 stars, may revisit the rating; very promising, but too many rapid turns, and generally predictable from the start. But the writing is good. I intend to read the following volumes.
September 11, 2023
Ein gut geschriebener, auch humorvoller historischer Krimi.
April 22, 2017
I read #3 in this series, Murder on the Leviathan, a few years ago, and liked it a very great deal . . . which is why, of course, I picked up this volume. I've just noticed, while creating that link, that I read Leviathan because I'd enjoyed a different Akunin novel a couple of years before that; so the chain continues, link by link . . .
Poor but bright and well educated Erast Fandorin has acquired a dogsbody job at the Moscow CID, where his avuncular boss predicts he'll go far. His opportunity comes when an aristocratic university student bizarrely commits suicide in a local park. Unpicking the ramifications leads young Fandorin to the Winter Queen Hotel in London and thence to love and to the core of an international conspiracy to subvert all the world's great powers . . .
The book's described on the cover as "an Erast Fandorin Mystery," implying that it's a detective novel, but (unlike Murder on the Leviathan) it doesn't really fit easily into that genre; although the description will almost certainly mislead, it's more of a James Bond-movie-style caper, with its great conspiracy, the quest of its villains for world domination, their infiltration of the corridors of power and all other influential walks of life, and so forth. This is not to say that Fandorin is a James Bond figure -- he most certainly isn't -- or that the book has anything of the feel of a James Bond movie; merely that the plot belongs more to that genre.
The telling is decidedly quirky (with lots of little parenthetical observations, mainly humorous, interpolated all over the place). This quirkiness makes for a certain lack of fluency and rubs up oddly against the tale's not infrequent moments of stark grimness, in particular its ending, which is as bleak as you could ask for.
By the time I got to that ending I was in two minds as to whether or not I was enjoying myself. I found a lot to admire and certainly I'll be reading more Akunin, but at the same time I wanted to tell the author waspishly to tighten his text up a bit, to be a tad more disciplined about his tendency to self-indulge. At a guess, someone did tell him this, because I don't recall having the same reaction to the (later) Murder on the Leviathan . . . or, perhaps, I was just in a different mood while reading that other novel!
Poor but bright and well educated Erast Fandorin has acquired a dogsbody job at the Moscow CID, where his avuncular boss predicts he'll go far. His opportunity comes when an aristocratic university student bizarrely commits suicide in a local park. Unpicking the ramifications leads young Fandorin to the Winter Queen Hotel in London and thence to love and to the core of an international conspiracy to subvert all the world's great powers . . .
The book's described on the cover as "an Erast Fandorin Mystery," implying that it's a detective novel, but (unlike Murder on the Leviathan) it doesn't really fit easily into that genre; although the description will almost certainly mislead, it's more of a James Bond-movie-style caper, with its great conspiracy, the quest of its villains for world domination, their infiltration of the corridors of power and all other influential walks of life, and so forth. This is not to say that Fandorin is a James Bond figure -- he most certainly isn't -- or that the book has anything of the feel of a James Bond movie; merely that the plot belongs more to that genre.
The telling is decidedly quirky (with lots of little parenthetical observations, mainly humorous, interpolated all over the place). This quirkiness makes for a certain lack of fluency and rubs up oddly against the tale's not infrequent moments of stark grimness, in particular its ending, which is as bleak as you could ask for.
By the time I got to that ending I was in two minds as to whether or not I was enjoying myself. I found a lot to admire and certainly I'll be reading more Akunin, but at the same time I wanted to tell the author waspishly to tighten his text up a bit, to be a tad more disciplined about his tendency to self-indulge. At a guess, someone did tell him this, because I don't recall having the same reaction to the (later) Murder on the Leviathan . . . or, perhaps, I was just in a different mood while reading that other novel!
February 16, 2014
This is the first book of the series Erast Fandorin Mysteries.
The plot is based on Erast Fandorin's investigation of the suicide of a wealthy student at Alexander Gardens in Moscow. He then discovers this a part of the "American Roulette" which was very well portrayed in the movie The Deer Hunter (1978) with Robert de Niro among others.
A quite promising historical mysteries series.
The plot is based on Erast Fandorin's investigation of the suicide of a wealthy student at Alexander Gardens in Moscow. He then discovers this a part of the "American Roulette" which was very well portrayed in the movie The Deer Hunter (1978) with Robert de Niro among others.
A quite promising historical mysteries series.
March 13, 2017
Очень весело, Эраст Фандорин когда он был молодой, читается очень легко и тоже интресно, если понравится читать детективный повести, это мне кажется очень хороши выбор! Все начинается когда один молодой человек самоубится перед одна женщина, и так только много ее странные жертвы, интересно почитать что получится.
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