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Приключения Эраста Фандорина #4
מות אכילס
השנה היא 1882, ולאחר ארבע שנות שירות דיפלומטי ביפן, אֶראסְט פּטרוביץ’ פַנדורין שב למוסקבה. מובן שגיבורנו יצלול מייד לתוך חקירת פרשה מסתורית ובעלת חשיבות ממלכתית: הגנרל סוֹבּוֹלֶב, גיבורהּ המהולל של רוסיה, מת. לא מות גיבורים בשדה-קרב אלא סתם כך, יושב על הכורסה בחדרו. אירוע מצער ביותר, אך, איך לומר, שיגרתי...
פנדורין מחליט "לברר את העניין"’, וגופות נערמות בקצב מסחרר! הוא מתמודד נגד רוקמי הקנוניות שבצמרת השלטון הרוסי, נגד סוכנים כפולים, פושעים מוסקבאים אכזריים, דיוות מפתות וכן, נגד הרוצח השכיר המסוכן ביותר בעולם, אחימאס וֶלְדֶה.
פנדורין, בן 26, הוא אדם בוגר ובעל אופי מעוצב. עלילות חייו ברוסיה וביפן חישלו אותו והפכו אותו לשילוב המושלם של אינטליגנט רוסי, ג’נטלמן בנוסח בריטי ואיש-המעלה הקונפוציאני. ברומן הנוכחי נתוודע לראשונה לבן-לווייתו הקבוע של פנדורין, איש היאקוזה לשעבר ומשרתו הנאמן בהווה, שִׁיבָּטָה מאסָהִירוֹ, או בקיצור – מאסה. הרומן נפרש משתי נקודות מבט מנוגדות, זו של גיבורנו הבלש וזו של אויבו, המחסל המקצועי אחימאס.
מות אכילס הוא הרומן הרביעי בסידרת רבי-המכר תיבת פנדורין, פרי עטו של בוריס אקוּנין. כמו בספרים הקודמים, גם ספר זה הוא מחווה מעודנת ומאלפת לספרות הקלסית, ובמיוחד לתמצית הקלסיקה המערבית, האיליאדה של הומרוס.
פנדורין מחליט "לברר את העניין"’, וגופות נערמות בקצב מסחרר! הוא מתמודד נגד רוקמי הקנוניות שבצמרת השלטון הרוסי, נגד סוכנים כפולים, פושעים מוסקבאים אכזריים, דיוות מפתות וכן, נגד הרוצח השכיר המסוכן ביותר בעולם, אחימאס וֶלְדֶה.
פנדורין, בן 26, הוא אדם בוגר ובעל אופי מעוצב. עלילות חייו ברוסיה וביפן חישלו אותו והפכו אותו לשילוב המושלם של אינטליגנט רוסי, ג’נטלמן בנוסח בריטי ואיש-המעלה הקונפוציאני. ברומן הנוכחי נתוודע לראשונה לבן-לווייתו הקבוע של פנדורין, איש היאקוזה לשעבר ומשרתו הנאמן בהווה, שִׁיבָּטָה מאסָהִירוֹ, או בקיצור – מאסה. הרומן נפרש משתי נקודות מבט מנוגדות, זו של גיבורנו הבלש וזו של אויבו, המחסל המקצועי אחימאס.
מות אכילס הוא הרומן הרביעי בסידרת רבי-המכר תיבת פנדורין, פרי עטו של בוריס אקוּנין. כמו בספרים הקודמים, גם ספר זה הוא מחווה מעודנת ומאלפת לספרות הקלסית, ובמיוחד לתמצית הקלסיקה המערבית, האיליאדה של הומרוס.
374 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
85 people are currently reading
1556 people want to read
About the author
Boris Akunin
295 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 253 reviews
February 6, 2018
Back in Russia after his trip to Japan (about which details are frustratingly scant), Fandorin helps the police track down a hired assassin. He is accompanied by his Japanese manservant Masa, and displays some highly unusual, newly acquired skills. Action, drama, and nick-of-time chases keep readers turning pages.
What to Expect
Each novel is written as a different type of mystery. Akunin set out to rectify the low-brow reputation of the mystery genre in post-USSR Russia by writing worthy literature and exploring the wide gamut of sub-genres. Each novel is therefore excellently written as a different type of detective case. While there is continuity in the protagonist's life between the novels, each is very different in themes and tones.
I've written a condensed review of the whole series on my website.
What I liked
I like the writing style. The prose is intelligent and flowing, the mysteries are complex, and the cast is varied (though those that make repeat appearances tend to die). Fandorin himself is a great character, even though as a main character he still remains an enigma - a tantalising mystery in itself that keeps readers engaged and clamouring to know more.
I love the historical background. Akunin has done his research into Russian culture, mannerisms, environment, personalities, etc. of the late 19th century / early 20th century. Most of the stories take place around Moscow, and Fandorin gets to meet and associate with the people of the times (from the low-life criminals of Khitrovka, to the grand-dukes of the imperial family). In a few cases, Akunin also has Fandorin active around notable events of the era, at times filling in details where history has left us stumped.
Akunin is also a Japanophile, and has Fandorin spend a few years in Japan. While details are sketchy (and we want more! More!), it is clear that he has a great love and deep knowledge of that culture and times.
What to be aware of
Be aware that each of the novel is told in a different style. Besides the obvious (something new and different in each volume), one keyword is 'told'. They are almost all in 3rd person perspective, and quite often not from the point of view of Erast Fandorin (which is both tantalising and frustrating at times). It's this distance that keeps Fandorin an enigma, and keeps us coming back to learn more.
Fandorin has a Sherlockian intellect and impressive physical prowess. He is not without his faults (most notably hubris), but as a hero he is certainly a cut above the rest. He also tends to get involved with a different femme fatale in each book. This suits the detective genre perfectly, regardless of modern sensibilities.
While the books are not really related and have few continuing characters, I'd still strongly recommend to read them in order.
Lastly, and this has nothing to do with Fandorin, since these are professional translations (amazingly done by Andrew Bromfield) via a traditional publisher, the price of ebooks and hardcovers is almost the same. The ebooks are also missing some of the illustrations and other typographical effects that are present in the print. I'd definitely recommend reading the print edition, where possible.
Summary
Should you read these novels? Yes! By all means, if you love historical mysteries these novels are a must read. It is an intelligent, engaging, and just different enough series to be in a class of its own. It's not surprising that in his home country of Russia, Akunin out-sells JK Rowling. In fact, since it's been a few years since I've read them, I think I'll go back and re-read my favourites (Winter Queen, State Counsellor, and The Coronation).
--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
What to Expect
Each novel is written as a different type of mystery. Akunin set out to rectify the low-brow reputation of the mystery genre in post-USSR Russia by writing worthy literature and exploring the wide gamut of sub-genres. Each novel is therefore excellently written as a different type of detective case. While there is continuity in the protagonist's life between the novels, each is very different in themes and tones.
I've written a condensed review of the whole series on my website.
What I liked
I like the writing style. The prose is intelligent and flowing, the mysteries are complex, and the cast is varied (though those that make repeat appearances tend to die). Fandorin himself is a great character, even though as a main character he still remains an enigma - a tantalising mystery in itself that keeps readers engaged and clamouring to know more.
I love the historical background. Akunin has done his research into Russian culture, mannerisms, environment, personalities, etc. of the late 19th century / early 20th century. Most of the stories take place around Moscow, and Fandorin gets to meet and associate with the people of the times (from the low-life criminals of Khitrovka, to the grand-dukes of the imperial family). In a few cases, Akunin also has Fandorin active around notable events of the era, at times filling in details where history has left us stumped.
Akunin is also a Japanophile, and has Fandorin spend a few years in Japan. While details are sketchy (and we want more! More!), it is clear that he has a great love and deep knowledge of that culture and times.
What to be aware of
Be aware that each of the novel is told in a different style. Besides the obvious (something new and different in each volume), one keyword is 'told'. They are almost all in 3rd person perspective, and quite often not from the point of view of Erast Fandorin (which is both tantalising and frustrating at times). It's this distance that keeps Fandorin an enigma, and keeps us coming back to learn more.
Fandorin has a Sherlockian intellect and impressive physical prowess. He is not without his faults (most notably hubris), but as a hero he is certainly a cut above the rest. He also tends to get involved with a different femme fatale in each book. This suits the detective genre perfectly, regardless of modern sensibilities.
While the books are not really related and have few continuing characters, I'd still strongly recommend to read them in order.
Lastly, and this has nothing to do with Fandorin, since these are professional translations (amazingly done by Andrew Bromfield) via a traditional publisher, the price of ebooks and hardcovers is almost the same. The ebooks are also missing some of the illustrations and other typographical effects that are present in the print. I'd definitely recommend reading the print edition, where possible.
Summary
Should you read these novels? Yes! By all means, if you love historical mysteries these novels are a must read. It is an intelligent, engaging, and just different enough series to be in a class of its own. It's not surprising that in his home country of Russia, Akunin out-sells JK Rowling. In fact, since it's been a few years since I've read them, I think I'll go back and re-read my favourites (Winter Queen, State Counsellor, and The Coronation).
--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
December 11, 2021
Кто б мог подумать, что залипну как маленькая на серию книг про Фандорина!
А про Акимаса отдельный толстющий том прочитала бы, настолько хорош этот персонаж.
Ай да Акунин, порадовал так порадовал!
А про Акимаса отдельный толстющий том прочитала бы, настолько хорош этот персонаж.
Ай да Акунин, порадовал так порадовал!
June 9, 2012
I'm reading these all again as I have been told by my clever Russian professor that despite the books being set in 1880, they are actually about modern Russia and not only is it fun attempting to work out which characters could possibly be today in modern Russia it gives the whole story an entirely different feel.
August 26, 2015
I will note that while you could feasibly read this as a stand alone, you really want to go back and read the entire series in this order (not necessarily in the published order):
the Winter Queen
The Turkish Gambit
Murder on the Leviathan
If you haven't met Erast Fandorin, then you definitely need to go back to the Winter Queen where he gets his start.
This book:
Our young hero has literally just returned to Russia from Japan after his duties there are completed. He comes to Moscow, where he is supposed to work under the auspices of one Prince Dolgoruski, who happens to be Moscow's governor. I believe the year is 1882. Fandorin is accompanied by his latest sidekick (he seems to have a different one in each story!) Masa, his Japanese companion. No sooner does Erast report for duty than he learns of the death of General Sobolev (who we met in The Turkish Gambit), beloved hero of Russia. The government orders an autopsy, finds no foul play, but of course, Erast thinks much differently. As he begins to investigate, he discovers that the bad guys (and there are many in this one) seem to be one step ahead of him; his work will draw him into conspiracies that threaten to put an end to his short but distinguished career.
Each book further develops Fandorin's character, and in this one is added a bonus of the character of Masa. In many ways, Masa adds a bit of comic relief when the tension starts building, and I hope this character stays for a while.
I highly recommend The Death of Achilles! Go get started on the others so you can read this one!
the Winter Queen
The Turkish Gambit
Murder on the Leviathan
If you haven't met Erast Fandorin, then you definitely need to go back to the Winter Queen where he gets his start.
This book:
Our young hero has literally just returned to Russia from Japan after his duties there are completed. He comes to Moscow, where he is supposed to work under the auspices of one Prince Dolgoruski, who happens to be Moscow's governor. I believe the year is 1882. Fandorin is accompanied by his latest sidekick (he seems to have a different one in each story!) Masa, his Japanese companion. No sooner does Erast report for duty than he learns of the death of General Sobolev (who we met in The Turkish Gambit), beloved hero of Russia. The government orders an autopsy, finds no foul play, but of course, Erast thinks much differently. As he begins to investigate, he discovers that the bad guys (and there are many in this one) seem to be one step ahead of him; his work will draw him into conspiracies that threaten to put an end to his short but distinguished career.
Each book further develops Fandorin's character, and in this one is added a bonus of the character of Masa. In many ways, Masa adds a bit of comic relief when the tension starts building, and I hope this character stays for a while.
I highly recommend The Death of Achilles! Go get started on the others so you can read this one!
September 11, 2009
As someone raised on Agatha Christie, I say unabashedly that good mysteries are a delight to read. The problem is that there are too few good mysteries. Too many of them read like the book equivalent of Law & Order, where exposition substitutes as dialogue, plot points as action, and character familiarity for true character development.
God Bless You, Mr. Akunin.
Akunin manages to weave an intricate tale that skillfully draws us into 19C Moscow and its intrigues while reflecting on larger issues such as social structure, the position of women in patriarchy, Western biases against Eastern culture, and, of course, crime and punishment (both legal and moral). But he does this all subtly, through the characters and their actions, so it never reads like a treatise on good behavior. Fandorin and his trusty sidekick Masa are lovely, so we care about them, feeling defeated when they face setbacks and elated when they succeed. And the mystery itself is well structured, with enough clues for us to follow and yet not quite put everything together as masterfully as does Fandorin.
I'm looking forward to reading all of the books in the Fandorin series and then moving on to Sister Pelagia.
God Bless You, Mr. Akunin.
Akunin manages to weave an intricate tale that skillfully draws us into 19C Moscow and its intrigues while reflecting on larger issues such as social structure, the position of women in patriarchy, Western biases against Eastern culture, and, of course, crime and punishment (both legal and moral). But he does this all subtly, through the characters and their actions, so it never reads like a treatise on good behavior. Fandorin and his trusty sidekick Masa are lovely, so we care about them, feeling defeated when they face setbacks and elated when they succeed. And the mystery itself is well structured, with enough clues for us to follow and yet not quite put everything together as masterfully as does Fandorin.
I'm looking forward to reading all of the books in the Fandorin series and then moving on to Sister Pelagia.
July 9, 2019
Book 4 of this series and another really good one by Russian author Boris Akunin. Here we have our hero Erast Fandorin stumbling into a mystery. He comes to Moscow with his Japanese helper, Masa, and chooses to stay at the hotel where one of his friends and Russian hero, General Sobolov, is staying. Initially rebuffed at seeing Sobolov, Fandorin gets into the fray once it is revealed that the 40ish ageed General has died of an apparent heart attack, and worse yet it was at the apartment of a courtesan!
Lots of Russian coverups and intrigue as Fandorin tries to solve the mystery - also lots of plot twists and turns as Erast keeps discovering dead bodies everywhere. The book then switches points of view at about page 200, as we now follow the life and career of the assassin (oh yes, it was not a heart attack!), from childhood until the killing of Sovolov. So darn well-plotted and well written. The two antagonists finally have their stories and points of view merge by the end. And very well done as the author switches from one characters mind to another - all helped along with different font and type styles which allows the reader to easily follow these conflicting individuals.
As always, so very well written. Akunin's books are political thrillers set in old Russia and while they are fascinating they are slow reading because you do not wish to miss any of the superb writing and storytelling.
Lots of Russian coverups and intrigue as Fandorin tries to solve the mystery - also lots of plot twists and turns as Erast keeps discovering dead bodies everywhere. The book then switches points of view at about page 200, as we now follow the life and career of the assassin (oh yes, it was not a heart attack!), from childhood until the killing of Sovolov. So darn well-plotted and well written. The two antagonists finally have their stories and points of view merge by the end. And very well done as the author switches from one characters mind to another - all helped along with different font and type styles which allows the reader to easily follow these conflicting individuals.
As always, so very well written. Akunin's books are political thrillers set in old Russia and while they are fascinating they are slow reading because you do not wish to miss any of the superb writing and storytelling.
October 10, 2020
3.5/5
Aizraujošākais šajā romānā ir slepkavas biogrāfija, kurā krāšņi izpaužas Akuņina interese par dažādām mazajām un pat marginālajām Krievijas impērijas reliģiskajām un etniskajām kopienām. Vienmēr priecājos, ja grāmata rosina painteresēties par ko jaunu un nedzirdētu. Jo interesantāk, ja tas notiek, tīrās izklaides labad lasot detektīvu.
Aizraujošākais šajā romānā ir slepkavas biogrāfija, kurā krāšņi izpaužas Akuņina interese par dažādām mazajām un pat marginālajām Krievijas impērijas reliģiskajām un etniskajām kopienām. Vienmēr priecājos, ja grāmata rosina painteresēties par ko jaunu un nedzirdētu. Jo interesantāk, ja tas notiek, tīrās izklaides labad lasot detektīvu.
June 27, 2010
I'm sure I'm quite late jumping on the Boris Akunin bandwagon, but if you're not familiar with him, I say, run, don't walk, to this series of mysteries featuring the Holmesian, James Bondish Russian detective of the late 1800s, Erast Fandorin.
Like Henning Mankell's recent The Man From Beijing, this novel also contains two novels in one. After letting Fandorin plow through a confusing tangle of clues surrounding the sudden death of a famous Russian general, the book pauses to give you the backstory of the bad guy, bring you up through his life until his path crosses with Fandorin's again in a sort of Rashomon journey through the same scenes that preceded the backstory, and then on to the exciting climax.
Structure aside, it's another great yarn, enhanced by the skills (and valet) Fandorin acquired during time in Japan.
I'm now backtracking through two earlier Fandorin mysteries so I can get the chronology straight. As far as I can tell, five of them have been translated into English, so here's to happy hunting.
May 18, 2019
סדרת הספרים ׳תיבת פנדורין׳ מתגלה כתיבת אוצרות מבית יצור של הסופר המתכנה בוריס אקונין שמפליא גם הפעם בספר מרתק. גיבור הסדרה, הבלש פנדורין חוזר למולדתו לאחר שהות ארוכה ביפן יחד עם עוזר צמוד, יפני בשם מאסה, אשר חב לפנדורין את חייו. מאסה זה הוא איש רב כישורים שבהמשך יידרש להם. פנדורין מתברר, לא בזבז את זמנו ביפן ומתואר כעת כאמן בתחום קרבות הלחימה המסורתיות של יפן. כך שבספר זה,לצד העלילה , אקונין הדגיש הפעם, בנוסף ליכולות השכליות של פנדורין, גם את היכולות המנטליות והפיזיות שלו, משל היה לג׳יימס בונד מינוס הגאג׳טים, היפיפיות שנשבות בקסמו והמרטיני (המנוער ולא מעורבב...). העלילה לכאורה נקטעת באמצע ואנו עדים לסיפור בתוך סיפור, מעניין בפני עצמו, כאשר הקורא תוהה מה הקשר בין הסיפור החדש לעלילה שנפרשה בפניו עד כה.. אז אל דאגה, הכל מתחבר וכך יצאה תחת ידיו של אקונין עוד יצירה שמקבלת ממני חמישה כוכבים מנצנצים.
September 3, 2024
Дааа, безумно интересный и захватывающий сюжет. Фандорин предстаёт во всей красе, его враги не отстают: то��е проявляют нешуточную изобретательность и силу мысли. Жалко Соболева, но, как говорится, против власти идти - себе же во вред.
Женских персонажей у Акунина в целом не так уж и много, но они практически все с трагической судьбой и нелёгкой жизнью. В этой книге мне единственное не хватило "рассказанности" именно линий женских персонажей: как у них потом сложилась судьба и что они испытали. Может, про них будет упоминаться в следующих книгах. Итак, читаем дальше.
2024 update: В смерти Ахиллеса Фандорину 26, он только вернулся из Японии и уже оказывается впутан в такой хитросплетённый и совершенно секретный заговор, что он мешает своему же руководству свыше. Гениальный сюжет, Ахимас - гениальный злодей. Его история завораживает и сложно оторваться от каждого напечатанного слова. Буду перечитывать again and again.
Женских персонажей у Акунина в целом не так уж и много, но они практически все с трагической судьбой и нелёгкой жизнью. В этой книге мне единственное не хватило "рассказанности" именно линий женских персонажей: как у них потом сложилась судьба и что они испытали. Может, про них будет упоминаться в следующих книгах. Итак, читаем дальше.
2024 update: В смерти Ахиллеса Фандорину 26, он только вернулся из Японии и уже оказывается впутан в такой хитросплетённый и совершенно секретный заговор, что он мешает своему же руководству свыше. Гениальный сюжет, Ахимас - гениальный злодей. Его история завораживает и сложно оторваться от каждого напечатанного слова. Буду перечитывать again and again.
February 24, 2011
A nice thing about series mysteries is the continuity of characters among the volumes. One grows accustomed to their faces and one expects they'll be back, if not the next time you read one of the series, then soon enough.
Bah! Humbug! sayeth Boris, happily killing off and abandoning people through the multi-year festival that is this entertaining and readable series. (Andrew Bromfield, the translator, deserves many kudos for producing such readable and thoroughly enjoyable translations.) This book's title is the clue to who dies this time, but I won't spoil it for the as-yet-uninitiated. I will, however, point them in the direction of The Winter Queen and encourage them not to shilly-shally, but start reading soon.
If you need a synopsis of the story, they're all over the place, but I say get goin' and make reading this your March Spring treat.
Bah! Humbug! sayeth Boris, happily killing off and abandoning people through the multi-year festival that is this entertaining and readable series. (Andrew Bromfield, the translator, deserves many kudos for producing such readable and thoroughly enjoyable translations.) This book's title is the clue to who dies this time, but I won't spoil it for the as-yet-uninitiated. I will, however, point them in the direction of The Winter Queen and encourage them not to shilly-shally, but start reading soon.
If you need a synopsis of the story, they're all over the place, but I say get goin' and make reading this your March Spring treat.
July 31, 2019
עוד ספר מצוין בסדרת פנדורין. אני אוהבת את זה שכל ספר בסדרה עד כה היה בסגנון אחר.
אחרי כמה שנים ביפן, פנדורין חוזר לרוסיה וחוקר תעלומת רצח. בינתיים פנדורין הפך לשילוב של שרלוק הולמס וג'יימס בונד, והעלילה עצמה היא מאוד ג'יימס בונדית. ספר מגניב ומהנה ביותר.
אחרי כמה שנים ביפן, פנדורין חוזר לרוסיה וחוקר תעלומת רצח. בינתיים פנדורין הפך לשילוב של שרלוק הולמס וג'יימס בונד, והעלילה עצמה היא מאוד ג'יימס בונדית. ספר מגניב ומהנה ביותר.
October 15, 2025
לסקירה מפורטת בעברית ואנגלית, קישור לבלוג שלי -
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March 12, 2013
I love Boris Akunin's books, but I think this one is my least favorite of the Fandorin series (which still ranks it fairly high). Fandorin returns from many years in Japan to find himself out of favor and out of touch, "exiled" to Moscow and away from the political excitement of the capital. He's the first one to realize that the death of an old friend and military hero is actually a murder, and the only one to pursue that trail. The bodies keep piling up and the evidence of a conspiracy mounts, with Fandorin always a step behind the killer, up to the very end.
I think my dissatisfaction comes primarily from how very, very good the killer seems to be. The second half of the book tells his story, from his childhood through his perspective of the events of the first half, and his extraordinary abilities are pretty well justified. Even so, he was not only good but extraordinarily lucky, and I didn't really enjoy that because it made his, well, competition with Fandorin less than competitive, and such a lopsided challenge is no fun. I was also less than happy with the deus ex machina ending. I think it was meant to show that there was another conspiracy working against the first that was actually more powerful, but it wrapped everything up too easily. Even so, Akunin is a wonderful storyteller, and my enjoyment of the book wasn't ruined by what dissatisfied me.
I think my dissatisfaction comes primarily from how very, very good the killer seems to be. The second half of the book tells his story, from his childhood through his perspective of the events of the first half, and his extraordinary abilities are pretty well justified. Even so, he was not only good but extraordinarily lucky, and I didn't really enjoy that because it made his, well, competition with Fandorin less than competitive, and such a lopsided challenge is no fun. I was also less than happy with the deus ex machina ending. I think it was meant to show that there was another conspiracy working against the first that was actually more powerful, but it wrapped everything up too easily. Even so, Akunin is a wonderful storyteller, and my enjoyment of the book wasn't ruined by what dissatisfied me.
October 10, 2013
I really liked this one when I read it years ago. Upon rereading, I found it a slog, until about 1/3 to 1/2 through, when it did pick up and become exciting. This is the fourth of the Erast Fandorin mysteries, which are set in 19th century Russia. Erast is a government official detailed to 'special assignnments'. I was disappointed this time around, but people's taste change, and also I was in a 'Russian' phase those many years ago. I think the setting was what attracted me.
Erast is tasked to solving the death of a famous general, nicknamed Achilles. Is the death from natural causes or has the general been murdered? Erast puzzles out the solution, with the aid of his Japanese valet cum right-hand-man, Masa. Also the often-bumbling police help. The novel was strange in that part way through, it plunges us into the story of the assassin and why and how the murder is committed. Finally he and Fandorin confront each other...
I feel this is the weakest of the Fandorin novels. Masa comes across as a stereotype and was also intended as comic relief. If you're a fan of Fandorin, read this novel to keep up with the series, but I don't really recommend it.
Erast is tasked to solving the death of a famous general, nicknamed Achilles. Is the death from natural causes or has the general been murdered? Erast puzzles out the solution, with the aid of his Japanese valet cum right-hand-man, Masa. Also the often-bumbling police help. The novel was strange in that part way through, it plunges us into the story of the assassin and why and how the murder is committed. Finally he and Fandorin confront each other...
I feel this is the weakest of the Fandorin novels. Masa comes across as a stereotype and was also intended as comic relief. If you're a fan of Fandorin, read this novel to keep up with the series, but I don't really recommend it.
July 6, 2021
פנדורין חוזר לרוסיה אחרי כמה שנים ביפן (שמתוארות בספר ההמשך מרכבת היהלום) ומתחיל בחקירת מותו של גנרל פופולרי. המוות לכאורה טבעי אבל החקירה מגלה עוד גופות, קונספירציות ורוצח שכיר.
הספר מאוד מזכיר את הספר הראשון בסדרה והמוצלח עזאזל ואף מתקשר אליו. נהניתי מאוד ואפילו ההערות של המתרגם שלפעמים הן טרחניות מדי לא הפריעו לי בקריאה. דווקא את הפרקים של אחימאס ואת הסוף פחות אהבתי. בראש היה לי פתרון אחר שלדעתי מוצלח יותר.
הספר מאוד מזכיר את הספר הראשון בסדרה והמוצלח עזאזל ואף מתקשר אליו. נהניתי מאוד ואפילו ההערות של המתרגם שלפעמים הן טרחניות מדי לא הפריעו לי בקריאה. דווקא את הפרקים של אחימאס ואת הסוף פחות אהבתי. בראש היה לי פתרון אחר שלדעתי מוצלח יותר.
June 5, 2008
I enjoyed this book very much and it is a big improvement on "Murder on the Leviathan," which I found rather formulaic. This book was almost as good as "Turkish Gambit" with the characters much more fully fleshed out than in "Murder." I do have a weakness for good characterisation and will forgive an author for poor plotting if his/her characters are good. The structure of this story works very well and I liked the final section where the story is turned around to be viewed through the eyes of Achimas. I loved the character Masa and my only criticism is that the author killed off General Sobolev! Criminal waste of a such a great character! Great read and one to keep on your bookshelf.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2023
Ну як вдається Акуніну так тримати читача в тонусі?!
Книга, як завжди, просто неймовірно розкриває характери персонажів, і головних, і другорядних - усі вони живі, усі мають чітку логіку власних дій і адекватну мотивацію. Побіжні історії, описані в книзі, читати не менш цікаво, ніж основний сюжет.
Абсолютне задоволення.
Книга, як завжди, просто неймовірно розкриває характери персонажів, і головних, і другорядних - усі вони живі, усі мають чітку логіку власних дій і адекватну мотивацію. Побіжні історії, описані в книзі, читати не менш цікаво, ніж основний сюжет.
Абсолютне задоволення.
August 8, 2025
Continuing with the Fandorin series, I find each book to be better than the previous.
This book would have pleased me only because Sobolev (Skobelev in real life) is dead. It is written well, each of the three parts was quite absorbing.
Once again, I found myself in a rabbit hole reading the historical events relevant to the plot.
This book would have pleased me only because Sobolev (Skobelev in real life) is dead. It is written well, each of the three parts was quite absorbing.
Once again, I found myself in a rabbit hole reading the historical events relevant to the plot.
October 31, 2022
Срещаме се с някои герои от първите две книги и се разплита загадката от първата - "Азазел".
Генерал Соболев, участвал в Руско-турската освободителна война 1877 - 1878 г. и по специално в битката за Плевен, е намерен мъртъв. Известен като Белия генерал, той е почитан от русите и за тях смъртта му е трагедия. Ераст Петрович Фандорин се заема да разследва заплетения случай, понеже изглежда, че Соболев е умрял от естествена смърт. Оказва се, че нещата са много по-дълбоки и стигат чак до върховете. Някой иска генерала мъртъв, а Фандорин извън разследването.
Интересното е, че книгата е от три части, като във втората част авторът е наредил целия пъзел и е обяснил защо се е стигнало до убийството. Краят, все пак, е неочакван, а на развръзката страниците хвърчат.
Интриги, приключения, тайни, екшън и много дедукция ви очакват в тази четвърта част от поредицата.
Генерал Соболев, участвал в Руско-турската освободителна война 1877 - 1878 г. и по специално в битката за Плевен, е намерен мъртъв. Известен като Белия генерал, той е почитан от русите и за тях смъртта му е трагедия. Ераст Петрович Фандорин се заема да разследва заплетения случай, понеже изглежда, че Соболев е умрял от естествена смърт. Оказва се, че нещата са много по-дълбоки и стигат чак до върховете. Някой иска генерала мъртъв, а Фандорин извън разследването.
Интересното е, че книгата е от три части, като във втората част авторът е наредил целия пъзел и е обяснил защо се е стигнало до убийството. Краят, все пак, е неочакван, а на развръзката страниците хвърчат.
Интриги, приключения, тайни, екшън и много дедукция ви очакват в тази четвърта част от поредицата.
July 23, 2023
"But I still insist, master. It is not possible for me to live after I have failed you so terribly. I deserve to be punished."
"All right," sighed Fandorin. "You will learn off by heart the next ten pages of the dictionary."
June 23, 2020
Very intriguing.
February 14, 2022
Best plot, best pace in series so far. At the same time series fatigue caught up with me, repeat potential is much less than I thought.
November 9, 2010
It is the year 1882, and Erast Petrovich Fandorin, detective and diplomat in Tsarist Russia, has returned to Moscow after six years of foreign adventures, ready to commence a new role assigned to the Governor General of Moscow. Hardly has he settled into his new environment that the news spreads that his former mentor and friend General Michel Sobolev, known as "Achilles" by the adoring Muscovites, has been found dead. Fandorin, however, is suspicious of the circumstances of the death: the thirty eight year old General, fit as can be, does not die from a heart attack while sitting in an armchair in his hotel suite...
This, the fourth installment of Boris Akunin's Fandorin detective stories (in English translation, there are more in the Russian original) is, without doubt, one of his best. Fans of the series will recognize some characters from previous volumes, including Achilles and ...well, an enemy who might turn out to be more dangerous than anybody else involved in the conspiracies centred around the Russian Royalty and governing class and the ongoing power struggle between Moscow and St. Petersburg.
What makes it one of Akunin's best novels? His characters are very vividly drawn, Fandorin has "matured" even though he is still only in his late twenties, and his four years in Japan has equipped him with a few extraordinary skills and martial art tools. He has also acquired a Japanese sidekick, Masa, 'manservant' in name only. Last but not least, Fandorin has found an opponent of equal intelligence, sharp and cunning. Just over half-way through the novel, Akunin introduces this adversary, starting with the description of childhood and upbringing. The reader ends up almost liking the man. The author succeeds in developing this other central character, without losing any of the tension that has been built around Fandorin's investigation. We see two sides of the coin, we can make connections that neither of the characters can... Not satisfied with focusing on his central characters, Akunin paints a comprehensive picture of Moscow's class society of the day, and expertly evokes the underbelly of the city and the people who try to survive there - by any means. Readers new to Akunin and Fandorin, will nevertheless enjoy the book, however, it would be preferable if they started at the beginning with The Winter Queen: A Novel (An Erast Fandorin Mystery). Their enjoyment will be enhanced.
This, the fourth installment of Boris Akunin's Fandorin detective stories (in English translation, there are more in the Russian original) is, without doubt, one of his best. Fans of the series will recognize some characters from previous volumes, including Achilles and ...well, an enemy who might turn out to be more dangerous than anybody else involved in the conspiracies centred around the Russian Royalty and governing class and the ongoing power struggle between Moscow and St. Petersburg.
What makes it one of Akunin's best novels? His characters are very vividly drawn, Fandorin has "matured" even though he is still only in his late twenties, and his four years in Japan has equipped him with a few extraordinary skills and martial art tools. He has also acquired a Japanese sidekick, Masa, 'manservant' in name only. Last but not least, Fandorin has found an opponent of equal intelligence, sharp and cunning. Just over half-way through the novel, Akunin introduces this adversary, starting with the description of childhood and upbringing. The reader ends up almost liking the man. The author succeeds in developing this other central character, without losing any of the tension that has been built around Fandorin's investigation. We see two sides of the coin, we can make connections that neither of the characters can... Not satisfied with focusing on his central characters, Akunin paints a comprehensive picture of Moscow's class society of the day, and expertly evokes the underbelly of the city and the people who try to survive there - by any means. Readers new to Akunin and Fandorin, will nevertheless enjoy the book, however, it would be preferable if they started at the beginning with The Winter Queen: A Novel (An Erast Fandorin Mystery). Their enjoyment will be enhanced.
June 24, 2012
It's the second book in the series I've read and I have to say that I enjoy them a lot, more for the atmosphere than for the mystery, however. They have this vivid, funny, sparkling sense of humor which is a trademark of the better Russian literature (Gogol, Chekhov and the like). The main character is nice enough (nice, for lack of a better word), strong, honest and invincible and all that - I don't care for him that much, but he's all right. The ladies, I noticed, are always the same, passionate, strong-willed and mysterious. The sidekick Masa is, I don't know, probably a caricature. The author supposedly knows Japan and Japanese, and still he calls Yokohama "Yokahama", and don't get me started on the weird mixing of ninja, samurai and yakuza stuff. These things have nothing to do with each other and a guy who was supposedly a "yakuza boy" (whatever that means) is not what you would call "a good man of Japan". The Japanese references are just too silly to be taken seriously, but whatever.
I didn't like the villain at all. I guess I'm just tired to death of calculating, cold, psycho/socio/beat-your-dog-and-steal-your-breakfast-pathic guys as villains. Bo-ring. And rare, but, not in fiction. In fiction I get these guys delivered in buckets. Always so menacing, always as intelligent as the hero, and always setting boring traps. I'm rambling here, but I'm done with these suave dudes, really. Don't care. Shrug-shrug don't care.
One star down for the lame exploitation of the Dutroux case. I happen to have read the court documents - fragments that is. This stuff made me want to die. I don't want to talk about this, but yeah - one star down.
I didn't like the villain at all. I guess I'm just tired to death of calculating, cold, psycho/socio/beat-your-dog-and-steal-your-breakfast-pathic guys as villains. Bo-ring. And rare, but, not in fiction. In fiction I get these guys delivered in buckets. Always so menacing, always as intelligent as the hero, and always setting boring traps. I'm rambling here, but I'm done with these suave dudes, really. Don't care. Shrug-shrug don't care.
One star down for the lame exploitation of the Dutroux case. I happen to have read the court documents - fragments that is. This stuff made me want to die. I don't want to talk about this, but yeah - one star down.
Read
March 17, 2018Listening in the car. I do not recommend the audio version of this book. That narrator does all of the dialogue with Russian accents, which makes it harder to comprehend and also is inappropriate in an English translation. Since the speakers are speaking their native language, presumably without accents, the English dialogue should also not have accents except perhaps for speakers for whom RUSSIAN is a foreign tongue, like Masa, the Japanese servant.
Fandorin is his own man, but every book in this series is somewhat different, as Akunin emulates/parodies/pays homage to a different kind of classic mystery. They are all good, but some I like better than others, and I imagine that is typical because the underlying type of mystery will appeal to me more or less.
Midway through the point of view and narrative changed, and not in a good way. And our car trip ended. My reading went on hiatus while I wait for a used copy to arrive so I could peruse to see if this is worth finishing. My comment above was more prescient than I had realized!
The new viewpoint persisted, I noted immediately, until about 15 pages before the end of the book, and I did not want to read that much about that character, so I read the ending, which seemed twisted in a possibly intriguing way but not enough to suffer through what preceded it. So I moved on to something else.
Not Best of Boris!
Fandorin is his own man, but every book in this series is somewhat different, as Akunin emulates/parodies/pays homage to a different kind of classic mystery. They are all good, but some I like better than others, and I imagine that is typical because the underlying type of mystery will appeal to me more or less.
Midway through the point of view and narrative changed, and not in a good way. And our car trip ended. My reading went on hiatus while I wait for a used copy to arrive so I could peruse to see if this is worth finishing. My comment above was more prescient than I had realized!
The new viewpoint persisted, I noted immediately, until about 15 pages before the end of the book, and I did not want to read that much about that character, so I read the ending, which seemed twisted in a possibly intriguing way but not enough to suffer through what preceded it. So I moved on to something else.
Not Best of Boris!
January 21, 2009
An excellent addition to the Fandorin series – I loved the way that Akunin used a parallel narrator to Fandorin (and one who was, in many respects, very similar to Fandorin) and how the paths of these two individuals eventually collided. (There’s a bit of “Rashomon” homage here too, with the other narrator remembering the events we’ve already seen through Fandorin’s eyes, as well as what I can only see as a tribute to the Pink Panther with Fandorin’s Japanese valet, Masa.) In addition, the novel contains a callback to the first Fandorin mystery (The Winter Queen), an intrigue at the highest levels of Russian society, and one scene in which Fandorin is surprised in his bath that had me laughing out loud, as well as a really clever retelling of the life of Achilles that appealed to my Greek mythology geek side immensely (hint: there is more than one death of “Achilles” in this novel!)
My one quibble was that we never really found out what happened to Sobolev’s girlfriend, but I sort of hope we see her again in the series, because Fandorin clearly was attracted to her!
My one quibble was that we never really found out what happened to Sobolev’s girlfriend, but I sort of hope we see her again in the series, because Fandorin clearly was attracted to her!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2018
Possibly the best yet (I am slowly readying through them all). Our hero, Erast Fandorin, is becoming something of a ninja Sherlock Holmes. His adversary in this is something of the same, but a bad guy. All very entertaining. It takes place mainly in Moscow and is all about political conspiracies. Any more information would be a spoiler.
July 19, 2017
Great book. Don't know how much was lost in translation, I read the book in Finnish instead of Russian.
July 30, 2018
Another fun instalment of the Erast Fandorin series. I love the combination of historic background and fun classic detective story, all written in an engaging fast flowing style.
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