What do you think?
Rate this book
Приключения Эраста Фандорина #2
The Turkish Gambit
It is 1877, and war has broken out between Russia and the Ottoman Empire. In the treacherous atmosphere of a Russian field army, former diplomat and detective extraordinaire Erast Fandorin stumbles upon his most confounding case. Its difficulties are only compounded by the presence of Varya Suvorova, a deadly serious (and seriously beautiful) woman with revolutionary ideals who has disguised herself as a boy in order to reunite with her respected comrade and fiancé. Even after Fandorin saves her life, Varya can hardly bear to thank such a “lackey of the throne” for his efforts. When Varya’s fiancé is accused of espionage and faces execution, however, she must turn to Fandorin to find the real culprit . . . a mission that forces her to reckon with his courage, deductive mind, and piercing gaze.
211 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
About the author
Boris Akunin
399 books1,556 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 387 reviews
Read
February 10, 2019DNF. I did not finish this book so I’m not giving it a rating. I can see that some might enjoy this book, so I’ll give a brief summary of what I read. (See the punch-line at the end of my review.)
It’s fast-paced with a lot of action and just-in-time rescues of a damsel always in distress. As an example of the writing style, we learn on page 6 that our heroine has been abandoned in a roadside tavern by her male companion and left “alone in this dim, dirty, and distinctly malodorous sink of iniquity.” She has no money, no change of clothes, no papers. Fortunately, just in the nick of time, the famous Turkish detective, Erast Fandorin, who happens to be in the tavern, comes to her rescue.
Our heroine is a remarkably liberated Russian woman for her time. The novel is set in 1877 during the war between Russia and the Ottoman Empire. Having read that there are women doctors in the United States, she starts to train as one by helping a midwife but finds that she faints at the sight of blood. She then trains to become Russia’s first female telegraph operator. She finds that boring with no possibility of advancement, so instead, becomes a stenographer.
Then she returns to her village in Russia to be a teacher. The only other teacher in her school is a young male. They enjoy each other’s company so much that they move to live in St. Petersburg. Their relationship is chaste, so they live in a two-bedroom apartment, but, of course, have to tell the landlord they are married. All is well until her male companion decides that their platonic relationship is “defying the laws of nature” and gives her an ultimatum: they must kick their relationship up a notch - with or without marriage – or he’s gone. It’s up to her.
Meanwhile he enlists as an officer in the war and she follows him to the front, hoping to get a job as a stenographer again while she makes up her mind about his ultimatum. It’s a dangerous journey for a woman so she travels with him disguised as a boy. That’s how she ends up abandoned in the tavern.
The detective has remarkable gambling skills so he goes to the tavern dice table and wins a pony so she can travel with him. In the very first day they are attacked by bandits and her disguise is revealed but - just in the nick of time - a squadron of Russian Cossacks appear to rescue her from villainy.
Here’s the punch line: all that I described I learned in the first 29 pages! So I'm not kidding when I say it is fast-paced and action-packed. If you do like this type of book, you are in luck, because there are about a dozen in the series and almost all of them have been translated from Russian into English.
Painting of the Battle of Shipka Pass by Alexey Popov from wikipedia.com
Photo of the author from rferl.org
It’s fast-paced with a lot of action and just-in-time rescues of a damsel always in distress. As an example of the writing style, we learn on page 6 that our heroine has been abandoned in a roadside tavern by her male companion and left “alone in this dim, dirty, and distinctly malodorous sink of iniquity.” She has no money, no change of clothes, no papers. Fortunately, just in the nick of time, the famous Turkish detective, Erast Fandorin, who happens to be in the tavern, comes to her rescue.
Our heroine is a remarkably liberated Russian woman for her time. The novel is set in 1877 during the war between Russia and the Ottoman Empire. Having read that there are women doctors in the United States, she starts to train as one by helping a midwife but finds that she faints at the sight of blood. She then trains to become Russia’s first female telegraph operator. She finds that boring with no possibility of advancement, so instead, becomes a stenographer.
Then she returns to her village in Russia to be a teacher. The only other teacher in her school is a young male. They enjoy each other’s company so much that they move to live in St. Petersburg. Their relationship is chaste, so they live in a two-bedroom apartment, but, of course, have to tell the landlord they are married. All is well until her male companion decides that their platonic relationship is “defying the laws of nature” and gives her an ultimatum: they must kick their relationship up a notch - with or without marriage – or he’s gone. It’s up to her.
Meanwhile he enlists as an officer in the war and she follows him to the front, hoping to get a job as a stenographer again while she makes up her mind about his ultimatum. It’s a dangerous journey for a woman so she travels with him disguised as a boy. That’s how she ends up abandoned in the tavern.
The detective has remarkable gambling skills so he goes to the tavern dice table and wins a pony so she can travel with him. In the very first day they are attacked by bandits and her disguise is revealed but - just in the nick of time - a squadron of Russian Cossacks appear to rescue her from villainy.
Here’s the punch line: all that I described I learned in the first 29 pages! So I'm not kidding when I say it is fast-paced and action-packed. If you do like this type of book, you are in luck, because there are about a dozen in the series and almost all of them have been translated from Russian into English.
Painting of the Battle of Shipka Pass by Alexey Popov from wikipedia.com
Photo of the author from rferl.org
June 14, 2020
It's the Ottoman-Russian War in 1877, and a young liberated woman travels from Russia to the front lines to be with her soldier fiance. Along the way, she meets up with Erast Fandorin, a talented young man with a stammer.
Fandorin is put in charge of a project to identify and neutralize a master spy that no one has ever actually seen. He sets to work with a vengeance.
Highly recommended.
Fandorin is put in charge of a project to identify and neutralize a master spy that no one has ever actually seen. He sets to work with a vengeance.
Highly recommended.
September 12, 2018
I started this series a long time ago. I really enjoyed the The Winter Queen. Somehow, I managed to skip this second book and read all the other translated stories. This is a solid, old-fashioned, Victorian historical fiction, detective/spy thriller mashup. It’s very much in the vein of Jason Goodwin’s
Yashim the Eunuch
series, but Russian and set in the mid-1870s (mid-Victorian period).
Writing is good. Oddly, the POV did not include that of the protagonist (Erast Fandorin), which gave the book a somewhat more sophisticated feel than you’d expect in a historical fiction, detective novel. I thought dialog was better than description. More importantly, because this is a Russian series in translation, the translation by Andrew Bromfield was good. If a have a criticism it’s with the occasional sesquipedalian excess found in the narrative. For example, use of “scrofulous” and “odalisque” evoked peals of laughter while sending me to the dictionary to confirm their definition. However, I’ve read a lot of novels originally written in the period. The dialog of the “better” classes consumed a lot of syllables.
This book could be considered YA in tone. There was no sex, significant substance abuse, or musical references in the story. Oddly, I would have expected there to be "camp followers" mentioned. There were none. There was a moderate amount of alcohol consumption leading to drunkenness. There was also gambling. There was a modest amount of violence. Violence was edged-weapon and firearms related. It was not overly graphic. Frankly, I think the author missed an opportunity to describe the carnage and brutality of warfare in this period.
Characters were good and were solidly within trope. The nominal protagonist is Fandorin. He’s what might today be considered a high-functioning autistic, in the Sherlock Holmes mold. Unfortunately, you’d have to have read The Winter Queen to do much more than observe him in the third person. The real hero was Varya Suvorova, a modern woman. Suvorova’s was the primary POV. She’s a late 20th-21st century woman born in the wrong century . She’s well, but not excellently wrought as a character. The interesting spin on this is that she’s a thinly concealed Bolshevik. Otherwise, she functions somewhat like Watson to Fandorin's Sherlock. The remaining characters include a gaggle of Victorian journalists, Russian civil servants and Russian officers of the nobility. A familiarity with H. Rider Haggard novels and Alfred Lord Tennyson would hold you in good stead in appreciating them. The author takes several jabs at the defunct Imperial and Soviet systems with his characters. The antagonist was almost peripheral to the story and was unconvincing to me. Characters other than those mentioned above were mere NPCs .
Plot was a straightforward Sweet Polly Oliver with Suvorov. She goes to “the front” to be with her “comrade” fiancé/husband. Her feelings for him go through a change, as things go badly, get much better, and she becomes embroiled in the politics, dynamics, amours and “guns, drums and steel” of Russian HQ during the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878). Suvorova then watches and aids Fandorin catch a Turkish spy in HQ. I thought the real antagonist was too deeply buried beneath red herrings for this to be a fair fight. A long exposition was included with the big reveal at the end of the story to ensure the reader did not leave confused, although, this is very much in character with Victorian-flavored mysteries.
This was a solid story for a Victorian historical fiction spy thriller. The Russian perspective was refreshing from the typical British one. However, it’s not the best I’ve ever read. I didn’t think Suvorova’s narration followed Fandorin’s investigation properly. I frankly wasn’t interested in her “born in the wrong century" sub-plot. I really didn’t know much about the region after the Crimean War. I was more interested in the atmosphere of the Russian HQ in this Balkans war setting. In summary, this book was readable, but not recommended.
Readers interested in late Russian Imperial military and diplomatic history might also want to read The Great Game: The Struggle for Empire in Central Asia by Peter Hopkirk. In fiction, there is the very similar in concept Ottoman-flavored The Janissary Tree.
Writing is good. Oddly, the POV did not include that of the protagonist (Erast Fandorin), which gave the book a somewhat more sophisticated feel than you’d expect in a historical fiction, detective novel. I thought dialog was better than description. More importantly, because this is a Russian series in translation, the translation by Andrew Bromfield was good. If a have a criticism it’s with the occasional sesquipedalian excess found in the narrative. For example, use of “scrofulous” and “odalisque” evoked peals of laughter while sending me to the dictionary to confirm their definition. However, I’ve read a lot of novels originally written in the period. The dialog of the “better” classes consumed a lot of syllables.
This book could be considered YA in tone. There was no sex, significant substance abuse, or musical references in the story. Oddly, I would have expected there to be "camp followers" mentioned. There were none. There was a moderate amount of alcohol consumption leading to drunkenness. There was also gambling. There was a modest amount of violence. Violence was edged-weapon and firearms related. It was not overly graphic. Frankly, I think the author missed an opportunity to describe the carnage and brutality of warfare in this period.
Characters were good and were solidly within trope. The nominal protagonist is Fandorin. He’s what might today be considered a high-functioning autistic, in the Sherlock Holmes mold. Unfortunately, you’d have to have read The Winter Queen to do much more than observe him in the third person. The real hero was Varya Suvorova, a modern woman. Suvorova’s was the primary POV. She’s a late 20th-21st century woman born in the wrong century . She’s well, but not excellently wrought as a character. The interesting spin on this is that she’s a thinly concealed Bolshevik. Otherwise, she functions somewhat like Watson to Fandorin's Sherlock. The remaining characters include a gaggle of Victorian journalists, Russian civil servants and Russian officers of the nobility. A familiarity with H. Rider Haggard novels and Alfred Lord Tennyson would hold you in good stead in appreciating them. The author takes several jabs at the defunct Imperial and Soviet systems with his characters. The antagonist was almost peripheral to the story and was unconvincing to me. Characters other than those mentioned above were mere NPCs .
Plot was a straightforward Sweet Polly Oliver with Suvorov. She goes to “the front” to be with her “comrade” fiancé/husband. Her feelings for him go through a change, as things go badly, get much better, and she becomes embroiled in the politics, dynamics, amours and “guns, drums and steel” of Russian HQ during the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878). Suvorova then watches and aids Fandorin catch a Turkish spy in HQ. I thought the real antagonist was too deeply buried beneath red herrings for this to be a fair fight. A long exposition was included with the big reveal at the end of the story to ensure the reader did not leave confused, although, this is very much in character with Victorian-flavored mysteries.
This was a solid story for a Victorian historical fiction spy thriller. The Russian perspective was refreshing from the typical British one. However, it’s not the best I’ve ever read. I didn’t think Suvorova’s narration followed Fandorin’s investigation properly. I frankly wasn’t interested in her “born in the wrong century" sub-plot. I really didn’t know much about the region after the Crimean War. I was more interested in the atmosphere of the Russian HQ in this Balkans war setting. In summary, this book was readable, but not recommended.
Readers interested in late Russian Imperial military and diplomatic history might also want to read The Great Game: The Struggle for Empire in Central Asia by Peter Hopkirk. In fiction, there is the very similar in concept Ottoman-flavored The Janissary Tree.
April 9, 2024
לסקירה מפורטת בעברית ואנגלית, קישור לבלוג שלי -
https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/גמבי...
https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/גמבי...
September 15, 2023
Das hat wirklich Spaß gemacht
March 4, 2021
8.5 out of 10
I feel like this installment was slightly better than the first one and I hope for further improvement since there a LOT of books in this series. Here we witness real historical events that the author entwine with fiction in an intricate manner. Fandorin opens up from new angles, and, finally, I know what happened with him after the creepy final of Azazel. Almost 20 years of waiting, as I mentioned before xDD
I loved Varya's character. So sincere, strong, and funny. And despite the main character is Fandorin we see his adventures through her eyes. Too bad our paths fork 'cause we'll follow Erast in Japan as I got it. But it's fine with me. A little break for Alex Finley's story and I'll be back for book #3 here.
January 26, 2011
The Book Report: Erast Petrovich Fandorin, titular counsellor of the Tsar's Special Branch (secret police, ugh), finds himself in the thick of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878. In a manner very like that of a skinny, stammering love-child of James Bond and Nero Wolfe, Fandorin arranges things so that the party responsible for the sudden and inglorious halt of victorious Russian armies to Constantinople, long the most urgent desire of Imperial Russian froeign policy, comes inevitably to light. His newly minted assistant, the silly and delightfully idealistic Varvara Andreevna Suvorova, takes the center stage for much of this wild, careening caper; a good choice for misdirecting attention, that, and yet the author *scrupulously* plays fair and puts all the clues before the reader...yet Varya's goosey honkings about irrelevancies and her young woman of middling class and wealth scruples, presented with great and genuine affection by the author, do screen the actual malefactor's malefactions quite neatly. One scene, a sword-fight, is particularly nicely handled; Varya's emotions of fear, disgust, and slightly tickled vanity (it's over her honor the parties fight) are so believable that it's hard to imagine the author hasn't had the same thing happen to him. (I doubt much that it has, though.) Quite a wonderful piece of writing (and translation), and not the only one.
My Review: All hail friends with reading addictions! My friend's praise tipped the scales for me, causing me to get these books. I don't regret this, though I am sorry that I waited so long. Still, that means I've got a lot of time before I run out of them! There are over ten in the series so far.
Very high-quality escapism, written and translated very ably, and presented in a point-of-view that's different enough to make the well-worn genre of lone wolf solves problems for Big Government, and then runs away from the limelight, feel fresh and new. Recommended to all who have a yen for solving puzzles...I didn't figure this one out until halfway through!
My Review: All hail friends with reading addictions! My friend's praise tipped the scales for me, causing me to get these books. I don't regret this, though I am sorry that I waited so long. Still, that means I've got a lot of time before I run out of them! There are over ten in the series so far.
Very high-quality escapism, written and translated very ably, and presented in a point-of-view that's different enough to make the well-worn genre of lone wolf solves problems for Big Government, and then runs away from the limelight, feel fresh and new. Recommended to all who have a yen for solving puzzles...I didn't figure this one out until halfway through!
February 6, 2018
Fandorin finds himself on the front lines of the Russo-Turkish war of 1877 in the Balkans (at the siege of Plevna). This is a war story, as Fandorin unravels a spy-vs-spy style of behind-the-lines intrigue and espionage.
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.
November 19, 2011
Dalla Russia con amore.
Si può civettare in un accampamento militare?
Si può fare spionaggio col sorriso?
Si può investigare balbettando?
Si può far capitolare un giovane vecchio?
Se esiste un modo per vedere una guerra con occhi naif, questo libro spiega come.
Si può civettare in un accampamento militare?
Si può fare spionaggio col sorriso?
Si può investigare balbettando?
Si può far capitolare un giovane vecchio?
Se esiste un modo per vedere una guerra con occhi naif, questo libro spiega come.
August 15, 2020
Sagribējās palasīt Fandorina sēriju. Dažas grāmatas no sērijas pirmās puses biju jau lasījusi, pāris ekranizācijas arī redzējusi, bet nu jau sajucis, ko lasījusi, ko - tikai redzējusi. Tāpēc šoreiz izlēmu lasīt no sākuma. Slinkuma pēc gribējās sākt latviski, jo dažas pirmās ir tulkotas. "Azazēla" vietējā bibliotēkā nebija, tāpēc to sāku lasīt krieviski. Tikmēr tiku pie divu nākamo tulkojuma, un tās tad arī aši izlasījās.
January 28, 2021
וורייה, צעירה מפטרבורג, מגיעה בעקבות ארוסה לחזית המלחמה העות'מאנית-רוסית ושם פוגשת את פנדורין ועוזרת לו לחפש מרגלים טורקייםן בקרב הצבא.
את עזאזל מאוד אהבתי אבל כאן היה קשה לעקוב אחרי כל הדמויות והשמות הרוסים המסובכים ולכן פחות נהניתי. פתרון התעלומה היה מפתיע בכל זאת. קצת חבל שבספר הזה הגיבורה היא וורייה ולא פנדורין.
מתלבט אם להמשיך לספר הבא בסדרה.
את עזאזל מאוד אהבתי אבל כאן היה קשה לעקוב אחרי כל הדמויות והשמות הרוסים המסובכים ולכן פחות נהניתי. פתרון התעלומה היה מפתיע בכל זאת. קצת חבל שבספר הזה הגיבורה היא וורייה ולא פנדורין.
מתלבט אם להמשיך לספר הבא בסדרה.
March 7, 2012
I have to be honest, this is the first Fandorin book that I've read, but not the first in the series (obviously). I saw it in a second-hand bookstore and thought it looked interesting.
Unfortunately, not so much.
The setting is interesting. I got the book because I enjoy reading historical novels set during times I didn't learn much about in school. So I can give it that! And while a little expected, I did like when everything started becoming a real pop-mystery novel.
But...
Varya is a caricature of a person at best, and at worst is insulting to women. I mean, we're talking about someone who goes to great lengths to see her fiance, then basically forgets about him, and can't help but flirt even when she's been taken hostage.
The men are hardly any better. They seem to exist only to be attracted to Varya.
Fandorin seems interesting, though, and I'd like to pick up another Varya-less book in the series to see what he's like.
Unfortunately, not so much.
The setting is interesting. I got the book because I enjoy reading historical novels set during times I didn't learn much about in school. So I can give it that! And while a little expected, I did like when everything started becoming a real pop-mystery novel.
But...
Varya is a caricature of a person at best, and at worst is insulting to women. I mean, we're talking about someone who goes to great lengths to see her fiance, then basically forgets about him, and can't help but flirt even when she's been taken hostage.
The men are hardly any better. They seem to exist only to be attracted to Varya.
Fandorin seems interesting, though, and I'd like to pick up another Varya-less book in the series to see what he's like.
May 20, 2008
Really good read. I loved it! It helps if you have read some Turgenev or Lermontov's "Hero..." but you would enjoy even if you hadn't. Interesting narrative in that the "hero" Fandorin is never given a voice and we are never taken into his confidence. This works really well as his detachment remains absolute and in keeping with the Byronic type although there is a warmth about him which does make him
appealing.I loved the humour and the characters were wonderful, in particular Zurov.I will definitely seek out the other titles. Final plus was I didn't spot the traitor!
appealing.I loved the humour and the characters were wonderful, in particular Zurov.I will definitely seek out the other titles. Final plus was I didn't spot the traitor!
February 14, 2020
I am bored!!!
March 31, 2018
תענוג לחזור לסדרה הזו לאחר הפסקה בת 8 שנים... ספר מרתק שנשען על אירועים היסטוריים, הקריאה שוטפת ובכלל זה עשה לי חשק להמשיך לחלק השלישי...
February 12, 2012
"Gambit", literally "tricking somebody" is usually applied to military operations or chess strategies. In order to achieve the ultimate win some losses have to be accepted along the way. Both contexts fit here beautifully. Boris Akunin, Russian pen name of Georgian writer Grigory Chkhartisvili, has taken an actual episode from the 1877-78 war between the Russian and Ottoman empires to spin yet another successful yarn around young Erast Fandorin, secret agent in the Tsar's Special Division. The author fills a niche market in Russia, as he himself sees it, between the serious literature of the likes of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy and the usual light detective stories of today. For the international reader this new genre of Russian "espionage mystery" - the subtitle of the original - in a specific historical context is a fun read that at the same time provides some insights into the society of the day.
At the end of the previous, first novel in the series, Winter Queen, Erast Fandorin's world was shattered; the repercussions of the drama seem to have resulted in a change of character. Now, he tends to stutter and is introvert and reserved. Has he lost his detective's touch as well? En route to the Russian military command headquarters outside Plevna, in Bulgaria, where a secret mission has sent him, he literally stumbles across Varvara Andreevna Suvorova. A vivacious and "modern" young woman, she is intent on following her fiancé, a volunteer soldier and cryptographer stationed at the same camp. Varvara, Varya for short, takes over as the primary protagonist of the narrative and Akunin exquisitely develops her character and describes her increasingly important position among the expanding entourage of admiring men. One of these is Sobolev, the White General, for the Russian reader easily recognized as General Skobelev, the real-life hero of the battle for Plevna. For the Turkish side, Akunin also bases some of his characters on actual personalities in the conflict. Furthermore, he introduces an illustrious retinue of international journalists, who mingle with the senior military and are "embedded" at the front lines. Akunin's subtle sarcasm at their doings and mishaps shows through and gives the story a certain actuality to current issues surrounding media observing military conflicts. The drama builds when it becomes evident that a saboteur must be at work: Russian attack positions are pre-empted by Turkish troops. Can the culprit or culprits be apprehended before more lives are lost? Like at a treasure hunt, Akunin leads the protagonists and the reader on a few wild good chases. Will Erast Fandorin's ingenuity and sharp deductive talent, help or hinder the investigation?
Erast Fandorin has become a household name in Russia where millions of copies of each Akunin book are sold. The English speaking world is slowly catching on with now eight novels available in translation. This highly entertaining, this fast moving, action-packed and character-rich story, the second in the series, will delight any reader, beyond the already established Akunin fans. The author brings the intricate Russian historical events of the late 19th century to life with wit and a great sense of irony and humour.
At the end of the previous, first novel in the series, Winter Queen, Erast Fandorin's world was shattered; the repercussions of the drama seem to have resulted in a change of character. Now, he tends to stutter and is introvert and reserved. Has he lost his detective's touch as well? En route to the Russian military command headquarters outside Plevna, in Bulgaria, where a secret mission has sent him, he literally stumbles across Varvara Andreevna Suvorova. A vivacious and "modern" young woman, she is intent on following her fiancé, a volunteer soldier and cryptographer stationed at the same camp. Varvara, Varya for short, takes over as the primary protagonist of the narrative and Akunin exquisitely develops her character and describes her increasingly important position among the expanding entourage of admiring men. One of these is Sobolev, the White General, for the Russian reader easily recognized as General Skobelev, the real-life hero of the battle for Plevna. For the Turkish side, Akunin also bases some of his characters on actual personalities in the conflict. Furthermore, he introduces an illustrious retinue of international journalists, who mingle with the senior military and are "embedded" at the front lines. Akunin's subtle sarcasm at their doings and mishaps shows through and gives the story a certain actuality to current issues surrounding media observing military conflicts. The drama builds when it becomes evident that a saboteur must be at work: Russian attack positions are pre-empted by Turkish troops. Can the culprit or culprits be apprehended before more lives are lost? Like at a treasure hunt, Akunin leads the protagonists and the reader on a few wild good chases. Will Erast Fandorin's ingenuity and sharp deductive talent, help or hinder the investigation?
Erast Fandorin has become a household name in Russia where millions of copies of each Akunin book are sold. The English speaking world is slowly catching on with now eight novels available in translation. This highly entertaining, this fast moving, action-packed and character-rich story, the second in the series, will delight any reader, beyond the already established Akunin fans. The author brings the intricate Russian historical events of the late 19th century to life with wit and a great sense of irony and humour.
March 20, 2009
This is the third according to the publisher of Boris Akunin's Erast Fandorin Russian detective stories, however I think they must have them out of sequence as he departs on the trip covered in the second novel at the end of this story.
Akunin is quite interesting in that he looks at the narrative in each of these books in a different way, in this case we follow Varvara Suvorova as she journeys to the front line in the Russo-Turkish war of the 1870s to be with her cryptographer boyfriend. On the way she is rescued from the Bashi Bazouks by Fandorin. On arrival it isn't long before she is drawn into investigating a plot to sabotage the Russian War effort when her boyfriend is arrested for sending the message for the Russian forces to occupy the wrong town handing the Turks a victory. So its up to Fandorin and Suvorova to find the spy at the Russian HQ to avert a disaster.
I liked a lot of things about this book, the setting was very interesting and made me want to learn more about what to most of us is a little known footnote in the history of Europe, but one that almost precipitated a World War. The story was intriguing and well structured, but I think the translation has let it down as the language lacks vigour. Its still fun though
Akunin is quite interesting in that he looks at the narrative in each of these books in a different way, in this case we follow Varvara Suvorova as she journeys to the front line in the Russo-Turkish war of the 1870s to be with her cryptographer boyfriend. On the way she is rescued from the Bashi Bazouks by Fandorin. On arrival it isn't long before she is drawn into investigating a plot to sabotage the Russian War effort when her boyfriend is arrested for sending the message for the Russian forces to occupy the wrong town handing the Turks a victory. So its up to Fandorin and Suvorova to find the spy at the Russian HQ to avert a disaster.
I liked a lot of things about this book, the setting was very interesting and made me want to learn more about what to most of us is a little known footnote in the history of Europe, but one that almost precipitated a World War. The story was intriguing and well structured, but I think the translation has let it down as the language lacks vigour. Its still fun though
July 10, 2014
Привлича с това, че действието се развива изцяло на българска земя. Освен това го има и историческия елемент - поставих си за задача да търся исторически несъответствия, но такива не открих. Акунин е изпипал всичко, до последния детайл, което си е впечатляващо.
Проблемът с тази повест е следния: действието се развива от гледна точка на жена. Което означава неизбежен анализ на всякакви чувства, емоции и женски позиции. Когато тези неща са представени от гледната точка на мъж е някак...мило. Липсваше момента от "Азазель", в който си вътре в действието и имаш възможността да мислиш, да се главоблъскаш и да изпиташ триумф от правилните догадки. Тук интригата беше задушена от сърдечните трепети и невнимание на Варя Андреевна, която се интересуваше от всичко, но не и от къде мирише на гнило, и най-важното, защо...мда.
Проблемът с тази повест е следния: действието се развива от гледна точка на жена. Което означава неизбежен анализ на всякакви чувства, емоции и женски позиции. Когато тези неща са представени от гледната точка на мъж е някак...мило. Липсваше момента от "Азазель", в който си вътре в действието и имаш възможността да мислиш, да се главоблъскаш и да изпиташ триумф от правилните догадки. Тук интригата беше задушена от сърдечните трепети и невнимание на Варя Андреевна, която се интересуваше от всичко, но не и от къде мирише на гнило, и най-важното, защо...мда.
February 20, 2012
I enjoyed listening to this as I drove to and from work. However, toward the beginning I had trouble remembering who was who among the more secondary characters and found myself wishing I could flip back to earlier pages to remind myself. There were also a few times that I thought something was so beautifully written (or translated) that I wanted to stew over it for a bit. I think I'll eventually end up buying this in actual book form, so I can do just that.
So far I've enjoyed Akunin's Fandorin novels and look forward to reading the rest. (I'll never get one of these as an audio book again).
So far I've enjoyed Akunin's Fandorin novels and look forward to reading the rest. (I'll never get one of these as an audio book again).
March 27, 2021
Šis gan vairāk bija spiegu romāns uz krievu-turku kara fona. Šajā daļā bija pat žēl, ka izmeklētājs Fandorins vairāk bija otrā plāna tēls un parādījās vairāk, kad jāizdara sižeta pavērsnieni un lielais beigu atklājums. Kopumā neslikta izklaide.
March 16, 2016
აკუნინის 2 წიგნი ერთდროულად ჩამივარდა ხელში: ეს და Любовница смерти. წიგნებს ეწერა რიგითობაც (#2 და #8) და ცხადი იყო, რომ თურქული გამბიტით უნდა დამეწყო, მაგრამ იყო ერთი ნიუანსი, რის გამოც მეორეთი დავიწყე - ადრე ნანახი მაქვს აკუნინის რომელიღაც წიგნის ეკრანიზაცია, რომელშიც ბევრი კი არაფერი მახსოვს, მაგრამ "ნა ზლო" რაც მახსოვს არის მთავარი რაზვიაზკა. შესაბამისად, ნუ გასაგებია. Любовница смерти-ს წაკითხვის შემდეგ, ვიფიქრე რომ ეს რადგან ისეთი კარგი ვერაა, იქნება ის იყოს კარგი-თქო, გავრისკე და როგორც აღმოჩნდა გამიმართლა - ის ნანახი ფილმი ალბათ Статский Советник-ია და არა გამბიტი.
რაც შეეხება წიგნის - ამ კაცმა წერა იცის, ფაქტია - იკითხება თავისუფლად, დაუძაბავად, გასაგებად, მშვიდად, საინტერესოდაც კი. ისიც ეტყობა, რომ ყველაფერთან ერთად აქვს იდეაც, რომლის გატარებასაც სულ ცდილობს თავის წიგნებში - ლიბერალიზმი (მე ეს იდეა ჯამში მომწონს მამენტ... სხვა იდეების ჯობია სულ მცირე). ამას კი ფუთავს კარგად, მაგრამ ხანდახან ცოტა ზედმეტადაც, კონკრეტული ეპოქიდან გამომდინარე - ზოგი იდეა დღევანდელი რუსეთისთვისაც კი ზედმეტად თანამედროვეა და XIX საუკუნის რუსეთში ცოტა ხელოვნურად ჩანს.
შინაარსი კარგია, განსხვავებით Любовница смерти-ისგან. მაგრამ მთლიანობაში მაინც ტოვებს პრიმიტიულის შთაბეჭდილებას - ბევ��ი რამე ხდება შემთხვევითა და დამთხვევით, ლოგიკური ჯაჭვები მომენტებში მთლად ფოლადის ვერაა და მთავარი ინტრიგაც და მისი განხორციელებაც ბუნდოვანია. ეს შეიძლება იმის ბრალია, რომ აკუნინი ეცადა "კეთილი" მთლად კეთილი არ ყოფილიყო და "ბოროტი" - ბოლომდე ბოროტი. ეს მცდელობა კარგია, მაგრამ შესრულება მოიკოჭლებს.
ჯამში, კარგი "ჩწივაა" და რადგანაც ეს წინასწარ ვიცოდი, შეფასების კრიტერიუმები დავადაბლე. ამიტომაც - 4. Азазель-ს წავიკითხავ. სხვებს - ალბათ აღარ.
რაც შეეხება წიგნის - ამ კაცმა წერა იცის, ფაქტია - იკითხება თავისუფლად, დაუძაბავად, გასაგებად, მშვიდად, საინტერესოდაც კი. ისიც ეტყობა, რომ ყველაფერთან ერთად აქვს იდეაც, რომლის გატარებასაც სულ ცდილობს თავის წიგნებში - ლიბერალიზმი (მე ეს იდეა ჯამში მომწონს მამენტ... სხვა იდეების ჯობია სულ მცირე). ამას კი ფუთავს კარგად, მაგრამ ხანდახან ცოტა ზედმეტადაც, კონკრეტული ეპოქიდან გამომდინარე - ზოგი იდეა დღევანდელი რუსეთისთვისაც კი ზედმეტად თანამედროვეა და XIX საუკუნის რუსეთში ცოტა ხელოვნურად ჩანს.
შინაარსი კარგია, განსხვავებით Любовница смерти-ისგან. მაგრამ მთლიანობაში მაინც ტოვებს პრიმიტიულის შთაბეჭდილებას - ბევ��ი რამე ხდება შემთხვევითა და დამთხვევით, ლოგიკური ჯაჭვები მომენტებში მთლად ფოლადის ვერაა და მთავარი ინტრიგაც და მისი განხორციელებაც ბუნდოვანია. ეს შეიძლება იმის ბრალია, რომ აკუნინი ეცადა "კეთილი" მთლად კეთილი არ ყოფილიყო და "ბოროტი" - ბოლომდე ბოროტი. ეს მცდელობა კარგია, მაგრამ შესრულება მოიკოჭლებს.
ჯამში, კარგი "ჩწივაა" და რადგანაც ეს წინასწარ ვიცოდი, შეფასების კრიტერიუმები დავადაბლე. ამიტომაც - 4. Азазель-ს წავიკითხავ. სხვებს - ალბათ აღარ.
August 31, 2011
During the war between Russia and the Ottoman Empire in 1877, Boris Akunin's eccentric and brilliant detective, Erast Fandorin, finds himself yet again at the center of the action. While attempting to return home to Russia after being a prisoner of the Turks, he rescues a rash young Russian woman trying to join her true love stationed at the Front. Since the woman has been robbed and needs transportation, he joins a poker game where wagers this damsel in distress against a donkey. Fortunately for her, he wins, and they set off toward their destination. In camp, officers and journalists with little to do welcome the woman happily, and when treason causes disaster, she is appointed Fandorin's assistant whose mission is to find the culprit.
Akunin has a creative imagination and a deadly eye for character description. However, for one whose grasp of Russian and Turkish history is minimal, not to mention the difficulty of keeping straight Turkish and Russian names, the book isn't always an easy read. Still, the clever twists of plot and the quirks of the various characters make The Turkish Gambit well worth the effort.
Akunin has a creative imagination and a deadly eye for character description. However, for one whose grasp of Russian and Turkish history is minimal, not to mention the difficulty of keeping straight Turkish and Russian names, the book isn't always an easy read. Still, the clever twists of plot and the quirks of the various characters make The Turkish Gambit well worth the effort.
February 19, 2010
Not being well-versed in Russian history (which may actually help), this story based on the siege of Pleven during the Russo-Turkish war (well, one of the many) didn't have the appeal that the next book in the series did. There wasn't enough Fandolin (which is a shame because he is such fun), just the whole story from the point of view of Varvara, a "modern" woman who has romantically run off to join her fiance, a cryptographer. Varya is annoying in her fickleness, which she cops to at the very beginning. Her fiance doesn't appear much in the story; she's too busy wallowing in the flirtation of handsome officers and journalists while he rots in a cell, accused of treason.
Akunin employs a clever ruse to cover several months where nothing much happens: Varya comes down with typhus! So much better than "as the months passed" or some such.
The end was a bit silly - if Romantic. Akunin seems to have adopted the literary conventions of a by-gone era, if only to parody them a bit.
Akunin employs a clever ruse to cover several months where nothing much happens: Varya comes down with typhus! So much better than "as the months passed" or some such.
The end was a bit silly - if Romantic. Akunin seems to have adopted the literary conventions of a by-gone era, if only to parody them a bit.
May 3, 2024
Abandoned at 25% through the book.
The story wasn't engaging and the author's effort to be humorous at all costs got on my nerves even more.
I loved book #1 in the series, but this one is awful and doesn't even feel like a book from the same series by the same author.
I am deeply disappointed and angry for having wasted my time reading something I didn't like from the first line.
The story also seemed disjointed, it was so difficult to understand that I left the English translation after the first chapter and started reading the translation in my native language (Italian), but the situation did not improve. I can't rate a book that I put down after only a quarter of the way through, but I would never recommend it to anyone.
The story wasn't engaging and the author's effort to be humorous at all costs got on my nerves even more.
I loved book #1 in the series, but this one is awful and doesn't even feel like a book from the same series by the same author.
I am deeply disappointed and angry for having wasted my time reading something I didn't like from the first line.
The story also seemed disjointed, it was so difficult to understand that I left the English translation after the first chapter and started reading the translation in my native language (Italian), but the situation did not improve. I can't rate a book that I put down after only a quarter of the way through, but I would never recommend it to anyone.
November 19, 2010
"I am opposed to democracy in general. One man is unequal to another from the very beginning, and there is nothing you can do about it. The democratic principle infringes the rights of those who are more intelligent, more talented, and harder working; it places them in a position of dependence of the foolish will of the stupid, talentless, and lazy, because society always contains more of the later. Let our compatriots first learn to rid themselves of their swinish ways and earn the right to bear the title of citizen, and then we can start thinking about a parliament."
April 5, 2017
למרות שניחשתי את הטוויסט בעלילה עוד בהתחלה, זהו ספר מהנה ביותר. הבחירה לספר את סיפור המעשה דרך עיניה של בחורה צעירה עושה את כל ההבדל וגורמת לו להיות פשוט מעולה.
February 8, 2024
Clarament millor que la primera part gràcies a una estructura més ben tramada i uns personatges més ben construïts, no deixa de ser una lleugera història que mescla gèneres de forma efectiva i entretinguda. A més a més, en aquest cas sí que hi ha passatges crítics amb Rússia que, tot i en boca d'estrangers, permet entendre per què l'autor ha estat prohibit i els seus llibres s'han retirat del mercat rus.
December 21, 2014
Full review (including movie and spoilers alert)/Цялото ревю (плюс филм и спойлери) - click, click
Следпрочитно:
С удоволствие се потопих в стила на Акунин. Той пише много леко, достъпно и увлекателно - поне в тези му книги. Скоро ми стана ясно, че това няма да ми стане любимата негова книга, но и също така, че ще е приятна за четене и много по-добра от историите за Пелагия или за Магистъра. Тук се плетат и нищят политически интриги, което не ми е любимата част при кримки и трилъри - аз предпочитам прости, конкретни престъпления - я убийство, я кражба. Въпреки това обаче успя да ме заинтересува. Книгата е построена като класически криминален роман - дават на читателя някои улики и информация, и той може сам да разсъждава кой е предателя. Но при крайното разкриване на изменника, Фандорин си имаше информация, с която само той разполагаше.
Основните ми оплаквания от книгата... са всъщност от Варя и Фандорин. Любимият ми Фандорин не участваше много активно в книгата, освен това беше в някакво странно междинно състояние между младият наивен Ераст от "Азазел" и остроумният Фандорин от "Вале пика". По голямата част от историята бе разказана чрез Варя, но освен гледна точка и няколко важни, но случайни момента, тя не помогна за развитието с друго. Освен това опасно балансираше с това да бъде досадна.
Финалът обаче беше разкошен. Мисля, че вече си имам нов кандидат за "харизматичен антагонист" в бингото Very Happy Ще го обсъдя обаче при филма, за да не издавам спойлери.
~~~
After-read thoughts:
It was a pleasure to read Akunin.I love his style - light, nice to read, and so easy to get lost in it - at least in those books of his. Soon it became clear, that the Gambit won't be my favourite book, but it will also be better than the stories of Pelagia or the Magister. Here we get deep into the world of politics - while in my detective novels I prefer crimes that are easier to define - a murder, a robery. But even so, I felt intrigued. The book is built like a classic detective story, giving the readers clues and information, and letting him build his own theories. But for the final conclusion, Fandorin kept his own secrets.
What I din't like in the book... was actually Varya and Fandorin's fault. My favourite Fandorin here was somewhere in between the young naive Erast from The Winter Queen, and the clever Fandorin from The Jack of Spades.Most of the story was told by Varvara, but beside a point of vue, and a few important
but accidental details, she didn't contribute at all. Even more, at times she was very close to being annoying.
But the final... oh the final was amazing!
Следпрочитно:
С удоволствие се потопих в стила на Акунин. Той пише много леко, достъпно и увлекателно - поне в тези му книги. Скоро ми стана ясно, че това няма да ми стане любимата негова книга, но и също така, че ще е приятна за четене и много по-добра от историите за Пелагия или за Магистъра. Тук се плетат и нищят политически интриги, което не ми е любимата част при кримки и трилъри - аз предпочитам прости, конкретни престъпления - я убийство, я кражба. Въпреки това обаче успя да ме заинтересува. Книгата е построена като класически криминален роман - дават на читателя някои улики и информация, и той може сам да разсъждава кой е предателя. Но при крайното разкриване на изменника, Фандорин си имаше информация, с която само той разполагаше.
Основните ми оплаквания от книгата... са всъщност от Варя и Фандорин. Любимият ми Фандорин не участваше много активно в книгата, освен това беше в някакво странно междинно състояние между младият наивен Ераст от "Азазел" и остроумният Фандорин от "Вале пика". По голямата част от историята бе разказана чрез Варя, но освен гледна точка и няколко важни, но случайни момента, тя не помогна за развитието с друго. Освен това опасно балансираше с това да бъде досадна.
Финалът обаче беше разкошен. Мисля, че вече си имам нов кандидат за "харизматичен антагонист" в бингото Very Happy Ще го обсъдя обаче при филма, за да не издавам спойлери.
~~~
After-read thoughts:
It was a pleasure to read Akunin.I love his style - light, nice to read, and so easy to get lost in it - at least in those books of his. Soon it became clear, that the Gambit won't be my favourite book, but it will also be better than the stories of Pelagia or the Magister. Here we get deep into the world of politics - while in my detective novels I prefer crimes that are easier to define - a murder, a robery. But even so, I felt intrigued. The book is built like a classic detective story, giving the readers clues and information, and letting him build his own theories. But for the final conclusion, Fandorin kept his own secrets.
What I din't like in the book... was actually Varya and Fandorin's fault. My favourite Fandorin here was somewhere in between the young naive Erast from The Winter Queen, and the clever Fandorin from The Jack of Spades.Most of the story was told by Varvara, but beside a point of vue, and a few important
but accidental details, she didn't contribute at all. Even more, at times she was very close to being annoying.
But the final... oh the final was amazing!
May 30, 2020
I read this in Russian, and had a great time!
Again, very entertaining, twisty and fun.
However, this is more based on history, the Russo-Turkish wars if 19th century.
Funny aside. When I was studying Russian history and preparing for the oral college entrance exam in 1975,
my stepfather was helping me to practice. The night before the exam I was exhausted, and told him that I was as ready as I could ever be, and to leave me alone. He convinced me to try to answer just one more "ticket" (topic) at random.
It was "2nd Russo-Turkish War".
By some strange coincidence, that was the ticket I pulled the next morning at the exam! I got 5 (the highest mark), which assured my admittance to college.
So, in a way, I had a somewhat sentimental feeling about the events described in this novel. Although I had very little memory of the actual history, and had to periodically refresh it.
Luckily, with an e-book it is easy: just click and the reference appears.
Anyway, back to Akunin.
This novel changed course yet again. There is a young lady protagonist. She is involved (married, engaged... or whatever - "it's complicated, like Facebook says), but gets thrown in Fandorin's orbit by complicated circumstances.
All actors get involved in the War. The geopolitics of 1870s are complex and very dynamic. So, of course, Fandorin is involved. And Barbara (Варенька) becomes his assistance/secretary.
Characters are multinational: Russian, Turks English, French, Greek....
The pace is breathtaking.
I wonder whether a typical American reader can follow them easily, without a lot of cultural background.
Just remembering that "Istanbul was Constantinople" is a start, but do you know that it was also "Tsargrad" and that a medieval Russian 🤴 Prince Oleg had at some point conquered it and hanged his shield on it's gate?
There are so many references to such details, which may be obscure to anyone, who did not pass the exam on Russian History!
Anyway, it is a terrific romp. Romantic, bloody, international, exotic (a great short aside about the actual daily life of concubines of a Turkish pasha - not at all what you imagine).
So dive right in, if you dare.
Again, very entertaining, twisty and fun.
However, this is more based on history, the Russo-Turkish wars if 19th century.
Funny aside. When I was studying Russian history and preparing for the oral college entrance exam in 1975,
my stepfather was helping me to practice. The night before the exam I was exhausted, and told him that I was as ready as I could ever be, and to leave me alone. He convinced me to try to answer just one more "ticket" (topic) at random.
It was "2nd Russo-Turkish War".
By some strange coincidence, that was the ticket I pulled the next morning at the exam! I got 5 (the highest mark), which assured my admittance to college.
So, in a way, I had a somewhat sentimental feeling about the events described in this novel. Although I had very little memory of the actual history, and had to periodically refresh it.
Luckily, with an e-book it is easy: just click and the reference appears.
Anyway, back to Akunin.
This novel changed course yet again. There is a young lady protagonist. She is involved (married, engaged... or whatever - "it's complicated, like Facebook says), but gets thrown in Fandorin's orbit by complicated circumstances.
All actors get involved in the War. The geopolitics of 1870s are complex and very dynamic. So, of course, Fandorin is involved. And Barbara (Варенька) becomes his assistance/secretary.
Characters are multinational: Russian, Turks English, French, Greek....
The pace is breathtaking.
I wonder whether a typical American reader can follow them easily, without a lot of cultural background.
Just remembering that "Istanbul was Constantinople" is a start, but do you know that it was also "Tsargrad" and that a medieval Russian 🤴 Prince Oleg had at some point conquered it and hanged his shield on it's gate?
There are so many references to such details, which may be obscure to anyone, who did not pass the exam on Russian History!
Anyway, it is a terrific romp. Romantic, bloody, international, exotic (a great short aside about the actual daily life of concubines of a Turkish pasha - not at all what you imagine).
So dive right in, if you dare.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 387 reviews