Roadside Picnic

by Aleksandr Pavlov

"Roadside Picnic" - a fascinating story of stalkers - desperately brave people, is at your own risk again and again traveling to the landing of aliens - an anomalous zone, full of dangers and deadly traps ...

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

Kindle Edition

Published October 26, 2016

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Terry Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy read, but not simplistic, and there was a depth beneath what seems like a simple story. I'd recommend it...once finished, definitely watch the movie that was based on the book.

My only complaint with the book, and it is probably more my problem than the authors, is that it took me awhile to get reorientated after the time shift between chapters. Other than that, I loved the book and it is one that is calling back to read again after finishing it.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've only read a handful of Russian novels, but this book FELT Russian. Dark and thoughtful, this isn't a book that you'll fly through, but one that I'm glad to have read.

[Iulian Dornianu · Rating 1 out of 5]

A poorly written book. The only thing you'll remember is how the writer outlined the fact that thr main character smokes every time he is spoken of.
This is a waste of time, you might be better off reading a highschool drama book.

[Jackson Lynch · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept is great and a very different take on alien contact with humans. I felt it lacked depth at times and read more like the outline of the intended story.

[Kelly Coyle]

This is a book in the tradition of Lem: humans encounter Others and don't understand what they encounter. I read it because I got interested in the movie Arrival (which doesn't sound like it is very good), and this book was represented as a good take on a similar idea.

Except I think that probably isn't more than superficially true. Roadside Picnic is more about what we are like than what they are like.

[Steven Witt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, not great sci fi story about first contact with aliens through artifacts left behind in zones throughout the world with many unusual dangers but could lead to riches and power. It inspired the movie Stalker by Andrei Tarkovsky and started off well, but was not as good for me about half way through with a few too many low life characters in a story that became a bit sci fi mixed with noir crime characters with nicknames like Moose and Vulture, though I liked the ending. Red, the main character and stalker is very good, and I enjoyed his story. Worth reading if you are a fan of the film. Not sure I would have wanted to read this if I wasn't. My star rating is probably closer to 3.5.

[Bart Marien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny to read how aliens see human life (as in: they don't) and just litter while stopping their intergalactic travel for a picnic.
Not a great story, but knowing this was written in Russia in an age very different from now, gives it an extra dimension.
I also saw the movie "Stalker", this had a comparable vibe, but was way to slow and long.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

"We know that things change, we’ve been told since childhood that things change, we’ve witnessed things change ourselves many a time, and yet we’re still utterly incapable of noticing the moment that change comes—or we search for change in all the wrong places."

[Maureen Friedly · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one just didn’t catch my attention. I’m admittedly not a big sci-fi reader and this one just skimmed over the top of my head. I understand the bones of the plot but it just never fleshed out for me.

[Calvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved exploring this world through Red’s eyes. Wish there was more book.

[Toby Crime · Rating 4 out of 5]

God I hate my scumbag neighbour's perfect son, I can't wait to put him through a combined harvester from outer space.

[Ray Doakes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, it’s a bleak, dark, and interesting world. It can be very slow in some sections and the events are not described in the best way (it’s a translation so you get what you get). Overall, it’s a good read

[Christine Sanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunting and creepy. The book completely occupied my mind. It still does

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning was really good but the time skips took some adjusting. The concept I found interesting, but at times, specifically when describing the roadside picnic, it felt like it treaded the line of lore dumping. Why it’s called Roadside picnic I thought was an interesting take, and all of the various alien related after effects were cleverly thought out!

[Kaleb Litchfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspired to read this after playing the games based on it. A good story and compelling world but can be hard to track when details are lost to translation.