Viktor, a Ukrainian author manqué, writes obituaries and lives with his pet penguin, Misha.

When the subject of one of his obituaries dies, Viktor's life begins to change, with what control he ever had over his own destiny finally sliding out of his hands completely. Not that Viktor seems bothered by this - he appears quite happy to watch life unfolding around him somewhat in the manner of a detached observer.

I enjoyed the style of this book - very short chapters, snapshot-style - and the way Kurkov paints such a clear picture of Ukraine and his various characters, bringing out a surprising amount of detail with very few words.

To me it felt semi-surreal yet real and down-to-earth at one and the same time. Gently humurous, rather black, never morbid.

_______________


To go out as an international bookring (Europe).


E-J-V (Paris, France)
Scruffykaz (Kent, UK)
Seg0 (Paris, France)
lapin-blanc (France)

________________


Will be given to E-J-V at the March meetup.

Got this book tonight at the meet-up. Thanks parisreader :-)

The story seems sometimes to strange and bizarre to be real, but yet you don’t have the feeling it’s fantasy. You never know which characters to trust and the strange visits at night (with the locks still on the doors in the morning) sends shivers down your spine. Viktor continues writing obituaries and decides not to think too much about what happens to the people he’s writing about. The book is written with a lot of humour.
Is it true that Viktor enjoys good protection and does the Penguin have anything to do with that?

Sent to Scruffykaz today (should take 4-5 days or so).

Found this on my shelf as I am tidying up for a house move. I'm really sorry I forgot to journal it :S Haven't read it but I will mail the next person on the list and get it mving asap

Returned to me by Scruffykaz - thanks.

To be sent on to lapin-blanc, as Seg0's reading pile is already too big...