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Chernobyl: The Fall of Atomgrad
On April 26, 1986, the No. 4 reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, near the city of Pripyat in the north of the Ukrainian SSR in the Soviet Union, suffered a massive meltdown after a flawed reactor design was identified and the subsequent safety tests went disastrously wrong. The resulting explosions were followed by a fire that lasted until May 4, 1986, during which airborne radioactive contaminants were released and deposited onto other parts of the USSR and Europe.
In all, approx. 300,000 people were evacuated from the surrounding area. A massive emergency operation to put out the fire, stabilize the reactor, and clean up the ejected radioactive material began. During the immediate emergency response, 237 workers were hospitalized, of which 134 exhibited symptoms of acute radiation syndrome. Among those hospitalized, 28 died within the following three months.
In this harrowing graphic novel, Matyáš Namai, creator of George Orwell’s 1984 , tells the story of how this horrific disaster unfolded and the brave men and women who struggled to contain the disaster, many losing their lives, and the terrible cost to those who survived.
In all, approx. 300,000 people were evacuated from the surrounding area. A massive emergency operation to put out the fire, stabilize the reactor, and clean up the ejected radioactive material began. During the immediate emergency response, 237 workers were hospitalized, of which 134 exhibited symptoms of acute radiation syndrome. Among those hospitalized, 28 died within the following three months.
In this harrowing graphic novel, Matyáš Namai, creator of George Orwell’s 1984 , tells the story of how this horrific disaster unfolded and the brave men and women who struggled to contain the disaster, many losing their lives, and the terrible cost to those who survived.
112 pages, Paperback
First published September 20, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
March 9, 2024
This may be the first nonfiction graphic novel I’ve read, and it was absolutely worth it.
I’ve always been interested in the Chernobyl disaster, being a Soviet-born kid of the 1980s, knowing a few kids whose parents were Chernobyl liquidators, having to do school assignments on it what seemed to be every April, and by now having read quite a few books on the subject (and yes, I also love that HBO series as well). In these books I no longer look for any new information, but rather for new angles and good explanations and good presentation. And this one was a good surprise as graphic novel format allows for a fresh and memorable look at what happened in Chernobyl and what led up to it.
A graphic novel that combines a history lesson with great technical explanations of a nuclear accident, encompassing science, politics and everyday life in a 100 pages, it’s succinct and yet quite comprehensive. It’s very effective in getting points across in just a few memorable images — a vodka bribe to the police from Pripyat looters, an analogy between an oven and RBMK reactor to describe how the safety test resulted in the explosion, the saint-like imagery of nuclear halo and holy trinity of RBMK reactor creators.
Done in blue-gray and yellow color palette (I love and deeply respect that choice), the artwork seamlessly combines stark and bleakly poignant all in a few simple strokes, and those last few pages are so lingeringly sad and yet somehow almost light, without hitting any false notes. The art style brings to mind the industrial propaganda posters, almost synonymous with the Soviet era, as well as a strange style of some Soviet melancholic cartoons that may have slightly scarred me as a young and impressionable child, and all together it just works so well for the time, the events and the mood.
Perfect art choice.
4.5 stars.
——————
Thanks to NetGalley and Palazzo Editions for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
I’ve always been interested in the Chernobyl disaster, being a Soviet-born kid of the 1980s, knowing a few kids whose parents were Chernobyl liquidators, having to do school assignments on it what seemed to be every April, and by now having read quite a few books on the subject (and yes, I also love that HBO series as well). In these books I no longer look for any new information, but rather for new angles and good explanations and good presentation. And this one was a good surprise as graphic novel format allows for a fresh and memorable look at what happened in Chernobyl and what led up to it.
A graphic novel that combines a history lesson with great technical explanations of a nuclear accident, encompassing science, politics and everyday life in a 100 pages, it’s succinct and yet quite comprehensive. It’s very effective in getting points across in just a few memorable images — a vodka bribe to the police from Pripyat looters, an analogy between an oven and RBMK reactor to describe how the safety test resulted in the explosion, the saint-like imagery of nuclear halo and holy trinity of RBMK reactor creators.
Done in blue-gray and yellow color palette (I love and deeply respect that choice), the artwork seamlessly combines stark and bleakly poignant all in a few simple strokes, and those last few pages are so lingeringly sad and yet somehow almost light, without hitting any false notes. The art style brings to mind the industrial propaganda posters, almost synonymous with the Soviet era, as well as a strange style of some Soviet melancholic cartoons that may have slightly scarred me as a young and impressionable child, and all together it just works so well for the time, the events and the mood.
Perfect art choice.
4.5 stars.
——————
Thanks to NetGalley and Palazzo Editions for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
April 14, 2024
In a Nutshell: A hardhitting graphic novel about the world’s largest nuclear disaster. As horrifying as you can imagine, though the artwork luckily tones down the gruesomeness thanks to the chosen colour palette. A bit rushed in execution, but still, a good starting point to know about the Chernobyl catastrophe in 1986.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When blind nationalism supersedes common sense, the result is disaster. Chernobyl is the biggest proof of this.
This graphic novel retells the events of the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl in April 1986 and the aftermath of the same. It covers the impact on the first respondents, the ordinary citizens and the responsible parties, while also highlighting the series of illogical decisions that led to the disaster.
The book begins with a spine-chilling reference table indicating radiation levels and their effects. This indicates how radiation is actually everywhere, what constitutes a dangerous or a fatal dose of radiation, and what dose was received by the people in Chernobyl on that fateful day. The numbers are enough to induce nightmares.
But the main nightmare is when you see not just the disaster unfolding on the page, but the events that led to the disaster. What can one say when people who know nothing about nuclear energy are put in charge of building and running such huge nuclear power plants? Or when deadlines are made so crucial that quality is compromised for speed? Or when the general population is considered expendable for the larger good of proving your country’s worth to the world?
I have watched the brilliant miniseries “Chernobyl” and though I had vaguely known about the disaster even before, it is the TV series that first showed me the actual terrifying nature of the event. If you have already watched the series, the book doesn’t offer much new information. It would anyway be tough for a graphic novel to compare with an audio-visual medium, but to a certain extent, this book succeeds in its purpose of reminding us of that haunting calamity.
What I especially liked was how the novel depicted the “socialistic” approach towards getting work done. The author doesn’t hold back in his criticism of the Russian oligarchy, being quite blunt about how their uppity attitude, their blind adherence to party dictates, and their overconfidence in their skills created a goof of such a monumental scale.
Another thing I loved was its simplified analogy of how exactly the reactor exploded. This was a clever way of explaining the cause to general readers without going too jargonistic.
At the same time, the book feels somewhat rushed. It is only 112 pages long, including the initial publisher material: too short for such a topic. Some pages have graphic panels without any text. As such, the content, while accurate and comprehensive, also feels superficial, with only a brief glimpse of the trauma that awaited the Chernobyl victims. It flits across various issues without going deeper into most. The main focus of the book is to point fingers at those who created the disaster, directly or indirectly, but I would have liked an equal focus to be on the victims as well. The human, animal, and environmental cost of the disaster is still being paid today, but this isn’t covered in that much detail.
The illustrations work in favour of the storyline. The blue and yellow colour palette, probably to doff a hat to the Ukrainian flag colours (with Chernobyl being in present-day Ukraine), also serves to lessen the visual brutality of the more severe effects of the explosion and subsequent radiation. The scenes are scary enough to watch even with this muted colour tone. A few of the words in the background illustration are in Russian; I wish the English edition had the translated version of these as well.
In short, this is a heart-breaking yet impactful graphic novel depicting a catastrophe that took place almost four decades ago but that continues to affect lives today. To those who have already read nonfiction novels on Chernobyl such as Adam Higginbotham’s ‘Midnight in Chernobyl’ or Svetlana Alexievich’s ‘Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster’ (both of which are on my TBR list), or have watched the HBO miniseries, this graphic version might not add much. But it would be a great option to readers seeking broad information on the catastrophe without wanting to invest too much time.
Needless to add, this graphic novel is only for adults. Too many disturbing events in here for younger hearts.
4 stars.
My thanks to Palazzo Editions and NetGalley for the DRC of “Chernobyl: The Fall of Atomgrad”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When blind nationalism supersedes common sense, the result is disaster. Chernobyl is the biggest proof of this.
This graphic novel retells the events of the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl in April 1986 and the aftermath of the same. It covers the impact on the first respondents, the ordinary citizens and the responsible parties, while also highlighting the series of illogical decisions that led to the disaster.
The book begins with a spine-chilling reference table indicating radiation levels and their effects. This indicates how radiation is actually everywhere, what constitutes a dangerous or a fatal dose of radiation, and what dose was received by the people in Chernobyl on that fateful day. The numbers are enough to induce nightmares.
But the main nightmare is when you see not just the disaster unfolding on the page, but the events that led to the disaster. What can one say when people who know nothing about nuclear energy are put in charge of building and running such huge nuclear power plants? Or when deadlines are made so crucial that quality is compromised for speed? Or when the general population is considered expendable for the larger good of proving your country’s worth to the world?
I have watched the brilliant miniseries “Chernobyl” and though I had vaguely known about the disaster even before, it is the TV series that first showed me the actual terrifying nature of the event. If you have already watched the series, the book doesn’t offer much new information. It would anyway be tough for a graphic novel to compare with an audio-visual medium, but to a certain extent, this book succeeds in its purpose of reminding us of that haunting calamity.
What I especially liked was how the novel depicted the “socialistic” approach towards getting work done. The author doesn’t hold back in his criticism of the Russian oligarchy, being quite blunt about how their uppity attitude, their blind adherence to party dictates, and their overconfidence in their skills created a goof of such a monumental scale.
Another thing I loved was its simplified analogy of how exactly the reactor exploded. This was a clever way of explaining the cause to general readers without going too jargonistic.
At the same time, the book feels somewhat rushed. It is only 112 pages long, including the initial publisher material: too short for such a topic. Some pages have graphic panels without any text. As such, the content, while accurate and comprehensive, also feels superficial, with only a brief glimpse of the trauma that awaited the Chernobyl victims. It flits across various issues without going deeper into most. The main focus of the book is to point fingers at those who created the disaster, directly or indirectly, but I would have liked an equal focus to be on the victims as well. The human, animal, and environmental cost of the disaster is still being paid today, but this isn’t covered in that much detail.
The illustrations work in favour of the storyline. The blue and yellow colour palette, probably to doff a hat to the Ukrainian flag colours (with Chernobyl being in present-day Ukraine), also serves to lessen the visual brutality of the more severe effects of the explosion and subsequent radiation. The scenes are scary enough to watch even with this muted colour tone. A few of the words in the background illustration are in Russian; I wish the English edition had the translated version of these as well.
In short, this is a heart-breaking yet impactful graphic novel depicting a catastrophe that took place almost four decades ago but that continues to affect lives today. To those who have already read nonfiction novels on Chernobyl such as Adam Higginbotham’s ‘Midnight in Chernobyl’ or Svetlana Alexievich’s ‘Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster’ (both of which are on my TBR list), or have watched the HBO miniseries, this graphic version might not add much. But it would be a great option to readers seeking broad information on the catastrophe without wanting to invest too much time.
Needless to add, this graphic novel is only for adults. Too many disturbing events in here for younger hearts.
4 stars.
My thanks to Palazzo Editions and NetGalley for the DRC of “Chernobyl: The Fall of Atomgrad”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
May 24, 2024
Has a history textbook ever made you think "ugh, why can't they make this a graphic novel"?
If so, Chernobyl: The Fall of Atomgrad is here to fix that injustice with a graphic novel that illustrates how a major historical catastrophe happened. This goes into both the human and technical details of what went wrong leading up to and in the aftermath of the 1986 disaster at the Chernobyl atomic power station.
Reviewing this graphic novel is meaningful to me on a personal level. My grandma worked at the research institute that developed the nuclear reactor that blew up at Chernobyl. As a side note, she worked on a completely unrelated project, the tokamak, which is trying to create renewable energy from hydrogen by emulating what happens inside the Sun. Nevertheless, she worked with some of the technocrats mentioned in these pages. I'm happy to say that this graphic novel is more faithful to what she's told me about them as people than the HBO series about Chernobyl.
The creators were hardcore about making an in-depth and accurate historical account. The back cover includes credits for a nuclear expert (Ondřej Novàk) and a history expert (Ondřej Civín). Be prepared for a more technical read than what you'll find in the emotion-driven accounts like the HBO series or Svetlana Alexievich's Voices of Chernobyl (which is spectacular, by the way).
Still, it manages to treat this subject with a kind of poetic feel that I haven't seen before, when, for instance, it shows an enormous concrete anvil with the words "The flower of Soviet megalomania is beginning to bloom".
In just one image, it captures the Saint-like status that technocrats enjoyed in the USSR.
In another, death incarnate drops hypothetical bombs on the nuclear power plant, sending shivers down the reader's spine with a glorious Cold War memento mori.
The graphic novel concludes on a beautifully simple note that slowly fades into the vibrant quiet of a town that was never quite completely abandoned. No longer can you hear the discordant noises of human error or technological disaster. You can only hear a young family of storks welcoming new life into their nest at the top of an old telephone pole.
Thank you, Matyáš Namai and Palazzo Editions, for a free Netgalley advance reader copy of Chernobyl in exchange for my honest review.
If so, Chernobyl: The Fall of Atomgrad is here to fix that injustice with a graphic novel that illustrates how a major historical catastrophe happened. This goes into both the human and technical details of what went wrong leading up to and in the aftermath of the 1986 disaster at the Chernobyl atomic power station.
Reviewing this graphic novel is meaningful to me on a personal level. My grandma worked at the research institute that developed the nuclear reactor that blew up at Chernobyl. As a side note, she worked on a completely unrelated project, the tokamak, which is trying to create renewable energy from hydrogen by emulating what happens inside the Sun. Nevertheless, she worked with some of the technocrats mentioned in these pages. I'm happy to say that this graphic novel is more faithful to what she's told me about them as people than the HBO series about Chernobyl.
The creators were hardcore about making an in-depth and accurate historical account. The back cover includes credits for a nuclear expert (Ondřej Novàk) and a history expert (Ondřej Civín). Be prepared for a more technical read than what you'll find in the emotion-driven accounts like the HBO series or Svetlana Alexievich's Voices of Chernobyl (which is spectacular, by the way).
Still, it manages to treat this subject with a kind of poetic feel that I haven't seen before, when, for instance, it shows an enormous concrete anvil with the words "The flower of Soviet megalomania is beginning to bloom".
In just one image, it captures the Saint-like status that technocrats enjoyed in the USSR.
In another, death incarnate drops hypothetical bombs on the nuclear power plant, sending shivers down the reader's spine with a glorious Cold War memento mori.
The graphic novel concludes on a beautifully simple note that slowly fades into the vibrant quiet of a town that was never quite completely abandoned. No longer can you hear the discordant noises of human error or technological disaster. You can only hear a young family of storks welcoming new life into their nest at the top of an old telephone pole.
Thank you, Matyáš Namai and Palazzo Editions, for a free Netgalley advance reader copy of Chernobyl in exchange for my honest review.
March 12, 2024
This graphic novel beautifully and concisely depicts the events surrounding and following the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster. It is short, but intricately told, with a pitch perfect balance in the storytelling of bureaucratic failure, technical detail, unsung heroism, and the impact on the immediate and ongoing lives of those involved.
The art style uses a limited palette of of muted blues and yellows, presumably as a mark of respect to the region, as well as being an expressive stylistic choice. The overall effect seemed reminiscent of the Constructivist style (at least to my untrained Western eye), which felt appropriate, and I really appreciated.
The storytelling moves effortlessly from being direct, punchy and sometimes shocking, through to gentle, pastoral and almost poetic in places.
Overall this is an incredibly accessible, evocative and, in places, moving retelling of the Chernobyl disaster. I was pleased to see historical and technical experts credited, giving me confidence in the accuracy of what is portrayed. I only wish that I had had something like this when I was at school - and then perhaps I would have spent more time studying history.
Thank you #NetGalley and Palazzo Editions for the free review copy of #Chernobyl in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The art style uses a limited palette of of muted blues and yellows, presumably as a mark of respect to the region, as well as being an expressive stylistic choice. The overall effect seemed reminiscent of the Constructivist style (at least to my untrained Western eye), which felt appropriate, and I really appreciated.
The storytelling moves effortlessly from being direct, punchy and sometimes shocking, through to gentle, pastoral and almost poetic in places.
Overall this is an incredibly accessible, evocative and, in places, moving retelling of the Chernobyl disaster. I was pleased to see historical and technical experts credited, giving me confidence in the accuracy of what is portrayed. I only wish that I had had something like this when I was at school - and then perhaps I would have spent more time studying history.
Thank you #NetGalley and Palazzo Editions for the free review copy of #Chernobyl in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
March 25, 2024
A Goodreads friend, born in what was then the Soviet Union, of course knew all the details of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster. (Do not miss her more learned, incredible review.) But I do not believe I am alone among Westerners in not knowing anything but the broad outlines of the explosion of a nuclear reactor in Chernobyl, Ukraine, and the Soviets’ subsequent ludicrous attempt at a coverup. Author Matyáš Namai does yeoman’s work in detailing how a group of engineers with no experience in atomic energy built nuclear reactors on the cheap and while cutting corners, starting in the western edges of the USSR; the first one became operational in 1975. The Soviets pinned their hopes for catching up with the industrial West on nuclear power. And, after all, what could go wrong? Read Chernobyl: The Fall of Atomgrad to find out.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Palazzo Editions in exchange for an honest review. And special thanks to Natalyia for her wonderful review of this book, which led me to read it myself.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Palazzo Editions in exchange for an honest review. And special thanks to Natalyia for her wonderful review of this book, which led me to read it myself.
March 11, 2024
A retelling of the horrific Chernobyl nuclear accident, in beautiful, striking art and two-tone colouring of the Ukranian blue and yellow. If you've read Midnight in Chernobyl and/or have seen HBO's Chernobyl, you will know the story, and it's still bracing and utterly terrifying to read.
Highly recommended.
(Thanks to Palazzo Editions for providing me with an ARC through Edelweiss)
June 9, 2024
I believe most people are aware of the events that took place in Chernobyl and the hardships that followed thanks to the Netflix TV show. But if you enjoy graphic novels, this book perfectly showcases how a famous historical event can be portrayed effectively. The artwork and color scheme enhance the story, making it even more impactful. Plus, the scientific concepts are explained in a way that's easy to grasp. I highly recommend it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Palazzo Editions for providing an ARC of this book to reviewers.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Palazzo Editions for providing an ARC of this book to reviewers.
March 24, 2024
Chernobyl disaster is one of the two most severe radioactive disasters - rated at seven which is considered as maximum severity that have happened, other being the Fukushima nuclear account in Japan which happened at 2011.
On 26 April 1986 reactor number four at the power plant suffered a catastrophic explosion that exposed the core and threw clouds of radioactive material over the surrounding area as a fire burned uncontrollably.
I have watched the documentary about it and yet it has always has interested me how it happened and how it affected humankind and human history.
The illustrations in the book are superb, they give Kind of dystopian or utilitarian feel which makes the whole book even more substance.
The book gives details of how, when and even aftermath of Chernobyl disaster.
Highly recommended if you are into history of such accidents that happened several decades back.
Thank you Netgalley and Palazzo editions for the wonderful ARC in exchange of an honest review.
On 26 April 1986 reactor number four at the power plant suffered a catastrophic explosion that exposed the core and threw clouds of radioactive material over the surrounding area as a fire burned uncontrollably.
I have watched the documentary about it and yet it has always has interested me how it happened and how it affected humankind and human history.
The illustrations in the book are superb, they give Kind of dystopian or utilitarian feel which makes the whole book even more substance.
The book gives details of how, when and even aftermath of Chernobyl disaster.
Highly recommended if you are into history of such accidents that happened several decades back.
Thank you Netgalley and Palazzo editions for the wonderful ARC in exchange of an honest review.
February 19, 2024
A very straightforward comic addressing the Chernobyl incident. I was not particularly captured by how this story was told. The artwork uses muted colors almost on a blue-grey scale which decreased my general interest in reading through it as well. It's a serious comic, not your usual type.
March 5, 2024
One of my favourite graphic novels so far. This is the story of the Chernobyl disaster told in a different way from what I have seen before. There is quite a lot of text for a graphic novel, but that is needed if you want to make it informational. Really love the art style and colouring. I read this as a NetGalley eARC, but I am definitely ordering my own hardcopy as well.
Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC to read & review. These are my honest opinions.
Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC to read & review. These are my honest opinions.
December 22, 2023
This is an excellent teaching tool for what exactly happened with Chernobyl. The illustrations are sad and can be disturbing (obviously), but I think 6th grade and up could handle the content. The artwork is phenomenal and really gives a sense of how bleak the situation was. I don’t see how anyone can not be moved by the plight of the innocents who lived nearby. Don’t even get me started about the animals… :-(
The USSR’s attempts to keep the explosion under wraps are both laughable and contemptible. What, did you think all the particles would just hover in place above the reactor??!
Sweden: Uhhh…
Japan: Uhhhhh….
[insert name of nearby country here]: Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh….
My thanks to NetGalley and Palazzo Editions for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
The USSR’s attempts to keep the explosion under wraps are both laughable and contemptible. What, did you think all the particles would just hover in place above the reactor??!
Sweden: Uhhh…
Japan: Uhhhhh….
[insert name of nearby country here]: Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh….
My thanks to NetGalley and Palazzo Editions for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 15, 2024
This is a graphic novelization of the 1986 nuclear accident at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP), Reactor No. 4, near Pripyat, Ukrainian SSR, in the Soviet Union. Writer and illustrator Matyáš Namai created the work in the Czech Republic, and Palazzo Editions published it in the UK. It relates the events, the causes and other contributing factors, and consequences of the accident in a very approachable graphical style. The blue and yellow artwork make an interesting color palette, given the colors of the Ukrainian national flag. The signage depicted in the drawings is primarily Cyrillic, and it enhances the experience if you can read words like “ХЛЕБ” along with the English text in the boxes and balloons.
This story opens with the 27th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1986, the same year as the accident, and implies that the accident was a product of hubris during Gorbachev-era Perestroika - which would be a bit of an oversimplification. ChNPP construction began in 1972, and the plant was commissioned in phases with its four reactors between 1978 (No. 1) and 1984 (No. 4). The defects in construction and the rush into service had already happened, although the complicating factors of administrative corruption and denial were ongoing. After the 27th Congress, the story immediately and unclearly switches to the 1970 back story of planning and construction.
The story gives a more detailed account than I have read before, of the suspended test and night-shift resumption that triggered the accident. It follows through with many aspects of what happened – the explosion itself, the management denial, the evacuation of the surrounding communities, the subsequent deaths by radiation poisoning, the use of forced labor to clean up, the construction of a containing sarcophagus, and reconnection of the three remaining reactors to the power grid. Besides the action within the plant, the story also illustrates the impacts on local residents in a poignant way.
The story closes with the show-trial of 1987, when several of the plant managers were sentenced. Namai places the blame on “an insidious cycle, a deceitful system that caught up with us eventually. The Chernobyl explosion exposed its corruption. It has much to teach us at the cost of dozens of lives and hundreds of thousands of destinies.”
An ending positive note is that even though the contamination persists, the unveiling of truths was enabled by the collapse and reform of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. I was an adult in the West during these actual events, and I learned from this book. However, the story ends without telling the next chapter - events in the vicinity of Chernobyl during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
I read an Advance Review Copy of Chernobyl in Adobe Digital Edition format, which I received from Palazzo Editions through netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review on social media platforms and on my book review blog. This new title is scheduled for release on 7 May 2024.
PS – I hate ADE. 10-30 seconds per page turn.
This story opens with the 27th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1986, the same year as the accident, and implies that the accident was a product of hubris during Gorbachev-era Perestroika - which would be a bit of an oversimplification. ChNPP construction began in 1972, and the plant was commissioned in phases with its four reactors between 1978 (No. 1) and 1984 (No. 4). The defects in construction and the rush into service had already happened, although the complicating factors of administrative corruption and denial were ongoing. After the 27th Congress, the story immediately and unclearly switches to the 1970 back story of planning and construction.
The story gives a more detailed account than I have read before, of the suspended test and night-shift resumption that triggered the accident. It follows through with many aspects of what happened – the explosion itself, the management denial, the evacuation of the surrounding communities, the subsequent deaths by radiation poisoning, the use of forced labor to clean up, the construction of a containing sarcophagus, and reconnection of the three remaining reactors to the power grid. Besides the action within the plant, the story also illustrates the impacts on local residents in a poignant way.
The story closes with the show-trial of 1987, when several of the plant managers were sentenced. Namai places the blame on “an insidious cycle, a deceitful system that caught up with us eventually. The Chernobyl explosion exposed its corruption. It has much to teach us at the cost of dozens of lives and hundreds of thousands of destinies.”
An ending positive note is that even though the contamination persists, the unveiling of truths was enabled by the collapse and reform of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. I was an adult in the West during these actual events, and I learned from this book. However, the story ends without telling the next chapter - events in the vicinity of Chernobyl during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
I read an Advance Review Copy of Chernobyl in Adobe Digital Edition format, which I received from Palazzo Editions through netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review on social media platforms and on my book review blog. This new title is scheduled for release on 7 May 2024.
PS – I hate ADE. 10-30 seconds per page turn.
August 5, 2024
***I thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in return for an honest review***
Informative, simple, and narrative, Chernobyl: The Fall of Atomgrad quite nicely briefs on the whole event of the Chernobyl incident, giving backgrounds on the consequences as well as the system.
Just a few months ago, a friend of mine at university did a discourse analysis of the incident on how it was perceived and accounted by the public and media versus the then government. It fascinated me and I wanted to read more about it. This graphic novel summarised the historical aspects very well and it was a delight to go through it, for the art matched the grimness of the Chernobyl incident perfectly.
Certainly recommend it to all!
⊹ . ⋆ ☽ ⋆ . ➶
Informative, simple, and narrative, Chernobyl: The Fall of Atomgrad quite nicely briefs on the whole event of the Chernobyl incident, giving backgrounds on the consequences as well as the system.
Just a few months ago, a friend of mine at university did a discourse analysis of the incident on how it was perceived and accounted by the public and media versus the then government. It fascinated me and I wanted to read more about it. This graphic novel summarised the historical aspects very well and it was a delight to go through it, for the art matched the grimness of the Chernobyl incident perfectly.
Certainly recommend it to all!
⊹ . ⋆ ☽ ⋆ . ➶
March 23, 2024
I'm not really a graphic novel girl but I find the Chernobyl disaster fascinating so couldn't resist requesting this one.
We are told how the reactors came to be, how they were built and also what happened on that fateful night and the aftermath.
This is a fascinating read and I did enjoy it, as much as one can enjoy this kind of subject matter.
I did struggle a little with the scientific details but that is just down to my brain as they were explained pretty well.
The graphics were really good and overall I would definitely recommend this one.
4 stars
#netgalley #chernobylthefallofatomgrad #matyasnamai
We are told how the reactors came to be, how they were built and also what happened on that fateful night and the aftermath.
This is a fascinating read and I did enjoy it, as much as one can enjoy this kind of subject matter.
I did struggle a little with the scientific details but that is just down to my brain as they were explained pretty well.
The graphics were really good and overall I would definitely recommend this one.
4 stars
#netgalley #chernobylthefallofatomgrad #matyasnamai
March 8, 2024
*Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
This non-fiction graphic novel tells the events leading up to and the actual day of the accident at Chernobyl, along with the affects after the explosion.
I loved this graphic novel! I actually didn't realize it was a graphic novel before I read it, and was a little worried because I don't usually enjoy them. It was wonderful. The graphics allowed for a better understanding of the complex material that is the reaction at Chernobyl that led to an explosion. The information was easy to understand and follow, a wonderful way for someone who is not educated in the field to have an understanding of what happened that day. It was informative, interesting and fascinating, really allowing the reader to learn something without being overwhelmed. I highly recommend this read!
This non-fiction graphic novel tells the events leading up to and the actual day of the accident at Chernobyl, along with the affects after the explosion.
I loved this graphic novel! I actually didn't realize it was a graphic novel before I read it, and was a little worried because I don't usually enjoy them. It was wonderful. The graphics allowed for a better understanding of the complex material that is the reaction at Chernobyl that led to an explosion. The information was easy to understand and follow, a wonderful way for someone who is not educated in the field to have an understanding of what happened that day. It was informative, interesting and fascinating, really allowing the reader to learn something without being overwhelmed. I highly recommend this read!
April 13, 2024
With stunning stylised artwork, this non-fiction graphic novel retells the events of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in an accessible manner, using personal accounts as well as a contemporary understanding of what happened.
The choice to use a black background for the disaster itself to contrast the rest of the book was a masterful editing decision.
The choice to use a black background for the disaster itself to contrast the rest of the book was a masterful editing decision.
August 28, 2024
Matyas Namai presents a straightforward history of Chernobyl without glossing over any of the ineptitude or tragedy. It's a grim read, but incredibly compelling. The differentiator here is Namai's stunning, two-tone artwork. The events pulse off the page. My only complaint is that the book wasn't a hundred pages longer.
April 1, 2024
Jako dejovo clovek nedostane nic, co by uz 50x nekde nevidel, ale nakreslene je to fakt fakt hezky.
February 7, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
3.75⭐
This book managed to capture the Chernobyl disaster's essence from a somehow different angle than usual. While some representations were a bit too political and technical for my expectations, other parts presented the situation from the shifted perspective of the affected ones. I enjoyed the style of the graphics and the choice of colours, and the artistic elements fit well with the story.
All in all, this is a short, nicely condensed read about anyone who wants to learn more about this dramatic event or to see it from a different direction than the usually approached ones.
3.75⭐
This book managed to capture the Chernobyl disaster's essence from a somehow different angle than usual. While some representations were a bit too political and technical for my expectations, other parts presented the situation from the shifted perspective of the affected ones. I enjoyed the style of the graphics and the choice of colours, and the artistic elements fit well with the story.
All in all, this is a short, nicely condensed read about anyone who wants to learn more about this dramatic event or to see it from a different direction than the usually approached ones.
December 30, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Ad Lib/Palazzo Editions for a digital review copy of "Chernobyl: The Fall of Atomgrad" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
This is a powerful, exploratory graphic novel that delves into the build up and fall out of the Chernobyl disaster. It gives us the Party perspective but for me, most importantly, also looks into the impact on the people of Pripyat.
The artwork is bleak, stark and doesn't pull any punches but also touchingly tells us the story from a very human perspective with technical and political elements seamlessly interwoven throughout.
It's a fantastic and moving introduction to the disaster and gives a grounding that would make it suitable for a YA audience as well as anyone older who wants to read more without being overwhelmed by in depth political intrigue.
At just over 100 pages its long enough to tell the story and make us connect to the people and feel for them and what they went through but isn't too long that it gets bogged down in detail. This is definitely a must read non-fiction Graphic Novel for 2024 and is released in April 2024.
This is a powerful, exploratory graphic novel that delves into the build up and fall out of the Chernobyl disaster. It gives us the Party perspective but for me, most importantly, also looks into the impact on the people of Pripyat.
The artwork is bleak, stark and doesn't pull any punches but also touchingly tells us the story from a very human perspective with technical and political elements seamlessly interwoven throughout.
It's a fantastic and moving introduction to the disaster and gives a grounding that would make it suitable for a YA audience as well as anyone older who wants to read more without being overwhelmed by in depth political intrigue.
At just over 100 pages its long enough to tell the story and make us connect to the people and feel for them and what they went through but isn't too long that it gets bogged down in detail. This is definitely a must read non-fiction Graphic Novel for 2024 and is released in April 2024.
December 31, 2023
I was a little sceptical about this graphic retelling of the Chernobyl disaster, just because the recent TV mini-series was so comprehensive and good it was hard to see what other angle this could take. And while it covers the same ground, it tells some other stories and of course can be more explainatiory with its facts and figures where appropriate (for example it opens with a hand chart comparing relative radiation dosages). The art style i thick, with an almost linocut look in places and is ink in yellow and blue blocks where necessary - though the inking is largely used for effect - particularly on the splash pages of disaster which have an impressively impressionistic feel. Sober and comprehensive, this would also be an excellent teaching aid as its sad but not horrific beyond the understanding of what is going on. The writing occasionally hangs on the shortcuts being a Soviet issue which I doubt is the case (capitalism will happily cut corners too), but certainly the scale of damage and aftermath is very tied to the Soviet system, and whilst this doesn't linger on the show trial, its still and important footnote. Really rather impressive.
September 8, 2024
History in comic book form, it's the kind of graphic novel I have great interest in, and seeing Matyáš Namai’s strikingly drawn pages in dominating blues and yellows, mixed amongst the usual superhero and manga fare at the local book store, this is one of the best impulse purchases I've ever made.
If you've seen Craig Mazin’s Chernobyl, there's much that is familiar here, including some of the most thrilling moments from the show. That is hardly surprising as they are working from the same source material and telling the same story (not just of the explosion, but of corruption, lies, and idiocy), but it’s quite interesting to see what was changed for the mass market and what, in Namai’s writing, is closer to what really happened.
Namai uses the historical graphic novel format to also give more information, with most of the writing comparable to what you might find on the pages of a history book; Chernobyl the show undeniably put more effort into building up its central characters whereas in the graphic novel they pop up as one name amongst many, sudden to come and quick to disappear. There's little emotional connection to specific people, but there is to the larger theme.
Namai also does honour to the horror of the show, for example drawing the moment of the firefighters encountering the catastrophe for the first time like some monster out of Hellboy - great architecture ripped apart by the kaiju of Soviet mismanagement.
Which fills the book - Namai makes it clear how what happened in Chernobyl was pretty much inevitable considering how the whole system was built up, one incompetent boss after another pushing and lying their way through maddening deadlines and deceitful achievements where tests are hand-waved away and everything is built from shit and spit.
For all those contemporary communists crying over what they see Soviet Union represent, this is another glaring hole in their pink-coloured image - the facts that the system was rotten through and through, and the moment it allowed a little bit of honesty into its dealings, it all fell apart because just like its machines and houses and society itself, the whole system was built on shit.
It's just too goddamn bad how many people had to die and suffer below those who only saw them as means to an end, never humans, riding around in their government-mandated cars, more equal than anybody else.
And if you doubt that, read this gorgeously and horrifically drawn book, and feel the fear slither its way into you as you understand this is how Russia still works, and this is how a certain presidential candidate would like the USA to work as well.
Short on emotional connection, but heavy in everything else, Chernobyl: The Fall of Atomgrad is an excellent graphic novel (and that I feel I should still give it a 4 just shows how meaningless star ratings are).
Whatever. Read it, enjoy it, and despair.
If you've seen Craig Mazin’s Chernobyl, there's much that is familiar here, including some of the most thrilling moments from the show. That is hardly surprising as they are working from the same source material and telling the same story (not just of the explosion, but of corruption, lies, and idiocy), but it’s quite interesting to see what was changed for the mass market and what, in Namai’s writing, is closer to what really happened.
Namai uses the historical graphic novel format to also give more information, with most of the writing comparable to what you might find on the pages of a history book; Chernobyl the show undeniably put more effort into building up its central characters whereas in the graphic novel they pop up as one name amongst many, sudden to come and quick to disappear. There's little emotional connection to specific people, but there is to the larger theme.
Namai also does honour to the horror of the show, for example drawing the moment of the firefighters encountering the catastrophe for the first time like some monster out of Hellboy - great architecture ripped apart by the kaiju of Soviet mismanagement.
Which fills the book - Namai makes it clear how what happened in Chernobyl was pretty much inevitable considering how the whole system was built up, one incompetent boss after another pushing and lying their way through maddening deadlines and deceitful achievements where tests are hand-waved away and everything is built from shit and spit.
For all those contemporary communists crying over what they see Soviet Union represent, this is another glaring hole in their pink-coloured image - the facts that the system was rotten through and through, and the moment it allowed a little bit of honesty into its dealings, it all fell apart because just like its machines and houses and society itself, the whole system was built on shit.
It's just too goddamn bad how many people had to die and suffer below those who only saw them as means to an end, never humans, riding around in their government-mandated cars, more equal than anybody else.
And if you doubt that, read this gorgeously and horrifically drawn book, and feel the fear slither its way into you as you understand this is how Russia still works, and this is how a certain presidential candidate would like the USA to work as well.
Short on emotional connection, but heavy in everything else, Chernobyl: The Fall of Atomgrad is an excellent graphic novel (and that I feel I should still give it a 4 just shows how meaningless star ratings are).
Whatever. Read it, enjoy it, and despair.
August 11, 2024
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Chernobyl: The Fall of Atomgrad is a really interesting graphic novel about, you guessed it, the Chernobyl catastrophe. Visually, I liked the interesting choice of only using the ukrainian flag colors (blue and yellow) coupled with an aesthetic that recalls to the soviet times.
This graphic novel does a great job explaining not just the disaster itself, which mechanics are well explained, but both what lead to it and the cover up that ensued by the government in place at the time. It is a really instructive book to introduce people to the events, even though it feels a little rushed at times. It is only 112 pages long after all, which is not a lot to talk about everything that occurred there and all the consequences that it carried. For example, I felt I learned a lot more about it watching the HBO miniseries, but then again, it's not the same time investment.
I definitely recommend this graphic novel to anybody either interested in the subject or wanting to learn about it, even as an introduction, it's a pretty good one.
Chernobyl: The Fall of Atomgrad is a really interesting graphic novel about, you guessed it, the Chernobyl catastrophe. Visually, I liked the interesting choice of only using the ukrainian flag colors (blue and yellow) coupled with an aesthetic that recalls to the soviet times.
This graphic novel does a great job explaining not just the disaster itself, which mechanics are well explained, but both what lead to it and the cover up that ensued by the government in place at the time. It is a really instructive book to introduce people to the events, even though it feels a little rushed at times. It is only 112 pages long after all, which is not a lot to talk about everything that occurred there and all the consequences that it carried. For example, I felt I learned a lot more about it watching the HBO miniseries, but then again, it's not the same time investment.
I definitely recommend this graphic novel to anybody either interested in the subject or wanting to learn about it, even as an introduction, it's a pretty good one.
March 19, 2024
ARC given by NetGalley for Honest Review
A well researched account of the lead up, explosion, and aftermath of Chernobyl. I likes that Namai focused on the stories of first responders and families affected by the disaster as well as the science and politics behind it. The graphic novel used harsh linework contrasted by blues and yellows (a nod to the Ukrainian flag) that translates well throughout the story.
A harrowing account without being too graphic, readers will find this informative and interesting.
A well researched account of the lead up, explosion, and aftermath of Chernobyl. I likes that Namai focused on the stories of first responders and families affected by the disaster as well as the science and politics behind it. The graphic novel used harsh linework contrasted by blues and yellows (a nod to the Ukrainian flag) that translates well throughout the story.
A harrowing account without being too graphic, readers will find this informative and interesting.
March 3, 2024
An interesting mix of beautiful art and historical accounts of the great Chernobyl disaster. From the inception of the Plant to the Fallout, this graphic novel explores it all and hands you facts along the way. I find the Chernobyl disaster interesting to say the least and I really enjoyed reading this graphic novel.
February 24, 2024
Informative graphic novel, and the muted colors seem to support the tragic storyline. This text focuses more on the details and less on the emotions and personal impact of the Chernobyl incident. It is more of an overview, skimming the surface of the event - why it happened, when, and the results - rather than a deep dive like Adam Higginbotham's incredible book on the subject, but it is a solid introduction that may lead readers to other sources.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.
June 17, 2024
An amazing graphic novel that does an excellent job of tackling a difficult event in an informative and compelling way.
The design is original in its approach to colour and technical schematics, but at the same time it tells a very human story in an easy to read way.
I found it very enlightning and came away with a better understanding of the Chernobyl incident.
The design is original in its approach to colour and technical schematics, but at the same time it tells a very human story in an easy to read way.
I found it very enlightning and came away with a better understanding of the Chernobyl incident.
February 11, 2024
3.5 stars for this tragic and interesting graphic novel that offers much to the history of the Chernobyl event. The passage of time has allowed an historical perspective that those of us did not have when the event initially occurred.
Matyas Namai does a great job of using technical language and presenting it in a digestible way for understanding. The illustrations and color scheme add to the tenor of the text.
This topic presents a tricky presentation because the area still exists. Actual photos of it are extremely intriguing and haunting, which is difficult to capture in this format. Contemporary stories talk about the animals left behind and the potential effects of the radiation on them. Perhaps a Volume 2??
Recommended for readers looking for an explanation to the Chernobyl disaster, history buffs, and anyone who was alive during the initial explosion, as it offers explanations. All-in-all, this book causes the reader to pause and wonder and question, which a great feeling for a reader.
Thank you to #NetGalley and #PalazzoEditions for the ARC.
Matyas Namai does a great job of using technical language and presenting it in a digestible way for understanding. The illustrations and color scheme add to the tenor of the text.
This topic presents a tricky presentation because the area still exists. Actual photos of it are extremely intriguing and haunting, which is difficult to capture in this format. Contemporary stories talk about the animals left behind and the potential effects of the radiation on them. Perhaps a Volume 2??
Recommended for readers looking for an explanation to the Chernobyl disaster, history buffs, and anyone who was alive during the initial explosion, as it offers explanations. All-in-all, this book causes the reader to pause and wonder and question, which a great feeling for a reader.
Thank you to #NetGalley and #PalazzoEditions for the ARC.
January 30, 2024
I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
I am not a big reader of graphic novels (I'm not the most visual of readers!) but CHERNOBYL: THE FALL OF ATOMGRAD retells the story of the biggest and best known nuclear disaster. As someone doing a PhD in nuclear physics linked to the decommissioning of power plants, this disaster is one I've studied, so I was curious how this graphic novel would present the incident.
It tells a very clear story, detailing the events that lead to up to, during and after the disaster. It covers the creation of the Chernobyl power plant, the critical flaws in the design of the reactor, the various internal Soviet politics that lead to poor management and pressure on unprepared people, the deaths, and the cover up.
I was very impressed by the section on the reactor failure itself. I'm studying nuclear physics, particularly reactions within a reactor (and I need a good working knowledge of the parts) but most people don't have that. This book uses the analogy of an oven to explain what went wrong and why. It's really clear and easy to understand.
The story is told from a number of viewpoints, both the officials, the soldiers, and the ordinary people caught up in the disaster. It's based on the stories of those involved, and this wide approach shows the wide ranging impacts on people across the city, the country, and the Soviet Union.
The overall tale is very stark. There is a human aspect to it, but the overall tone is matter of fact story. This is well reflected in the black, yellow, and blue artwork that's very simply, very moving, but also very brutal and industrial at times.
In all, I enjoyed this graphic novel and think it does a great job at explaining the Chernobyl disaster.
I am not a big reader of graphic novels (I'm not the most visual of readers!) but CHERNOBYL: THE FALL OF ATOMGRAD retells the story of the biggest and best known nuclear disaster. As someone doing a PhD in nuclear physics linked to the decommissioning of power plants, this disaster is one I've studied, so I was curious how this graphic novel would present the incident.
It tells a very clear story, detailing the events that lead to up to, during and after the disaster. It covers the creation of the Chernobyl power plant, the critical flaws in the design of the reactor, the various internal Soviet politics that lead to poor management and pressure on unprepared people, the deaths, and the cover up.
I was very impressed by the section on the reactor failure itself. I'm studying nuclear physics, particularly reactions within a reactor (and I need a good working knowledge of the parts) but most people don't have that. This book uses the analogy of an oven to explain what went wrong and why. It's really clear and easy to understand.
The story is told from a number of viewpoints, both the officials, the soldiers, and the ordinary people caught up in the disaster. It's based on the stories of those involved, and this wide approach shows the wide ranging impacts on people across the city, the country, and the Soviet Union.
The overall tale is very stark. There is a human aspect to it, but the overall tone is matter of fact story. This is well reflected in the black, yellow, and blue artwork that's very simply, very moving, but also very brutal and industrial at times.
In all, I enjoyed this graphic novel and think it does a great job at explaining the Chernobyl disaster.
February 6, 2024
*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free graphic novel.*
If you've watched HBO's Chernobyl, you will enjoy this graphic novel. It does a great job at explaining what happened before the accident, even the technological bits were well done. The drawing style is compelling too. I overall enjoyed it even though the content was not new to me. Some bits could have been expanded though, parts felt slightly rushed. But a good graphic novel about a tragic event of recent history. 4 stars
If you've watched HBO's Chernobyl, you will enjoy this graphic novel. It does a great job at explaining what happened before the accident, even the technological bits were well done. The drawing style is compelling too. I overall enjoyed it even though the content was not new to me. Some bits could have been expanded though, parts felt slightly rushed. But a good graphic novel about a tragic event of recent history. 4 stars
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