{"title":"Books by Arkady Strugatsky","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9780241472477","title":"One Billion Years to the End of the World","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e  'A beautiful book' Ursula K. Le Guin\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis mordantly funny and provocative tale from Soviet Russia's leading science fiction writers is the story of astrophysicist Dmitri Malianov. As he reaches a major breakthrough, he finds himself plagued by interruptions, from a mysterious crate of vodka to a glamorous woman on his doorstep. Is the Universe trying to tell him something?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'On putting down one of their books, you feel a cold breeze still lifting the hairs on the back of your neck' \u003ci\u003eThe New York Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43201607565490,"sku":"9780241472477","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780241472477_6ab5f7a3-8d7e-49e4-898c-47b06e8d0275.jpg?v=1786012498"},{"product_id":"9780575093133","title":"Roadside Picnic","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Strugatsky brothers' poignant and introspective novel of first contact that inspired the classic film \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eStalker\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRed Schuhart is a stalker, one of those strange misfits who are compelled by some unknown force to venture illegally into the Zone and, in spite of the extreme danger, collect the mysterious artefacts that the alien visitors left scattered around. His life is dominated by the Zone and the thriving black market in the alien products. Even the nature of his daughter has been determined by the Zone. And it is for her that Red makes his last, tragic foray into the hazardous and hostile depths.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReaders can't stop thinking about Roadside Picnic:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'A story of a horrific yet fascinating place, a story of an ordinary and unlikable man just trying to get by,\u003cb\u003e a\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003ephilosophical interlude on humanity and its significance or lack thereof\u003c\/b\u003e, of greed and wonder, and the fever dream of the soul scream. \u003cb\u003eIt still speaks to me\u003c\/b\u003e' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Such an intriguing setting for me, such \u003cb\u003ean unusual take on alien interaction\u003c\/b\u003e' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'It is \u003cb\u003ea thought-provoking, hard-to-put down masterpiece\u003c\/b\u003e, most probably the best introduction to Soviet science fiction. A must read for any sci-fi fan' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'A \u003cb\u003efantastic and creative\u003c\/b\u003e exploration of what first contact might be like' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'The tone of the book is \u003cb\u003eakin to that of some noir works, dark, gritty,\u003c\/b\u003e getting darker and grittier as the tale wears on . . . Like many great books, the meaning of the ending is left up to the reader' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'A beautifully depressive and \u003cb\u003ewonderfully atmospheric science fiction novel\u003c\/b\u003e about life on Earth after an alien \"Visitation\" that leaves humans with more questions than answers . . . \u003cb\u003eOnce I started reading it today, I couldn't stop.\u003c\/b\u003e The story captured my heart and held my attention' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  'This is the sort of book that you read and then immediately feel the need to lend it to someone you know so that they can experience and enjoy it themselves . . . \u003cb\u003eI was truly astonished\u003c\/b\u003e-by both the \u003cb\u003epoignancy and the deceptive(?) simplicity\u003c\/b\u003e of this relatively short novel' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43204024631474,"sku":"9780575093133","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780575093133_10e2a4cf-c29d-4a98-8c55-e9dd4153c79b.jpg?v=1786014580"},{"product_id":"9781473222281","title":"The Doomed City","description":"\u003cp\u003eIt is a mysterious city whose sun is  switched on in the morning and switched off at night, bordered by an  abyss on one side and an impossibly high wall on the other. Its  inhabitants are people who were plucked from twentieth-century history  at various times and places and left to govern themselves, advised by  Mentors whose purpose seems inscrutable. This is life in the Experiment.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAndrei Voronin, a young  astronomer plucked from Leningrad in the 1950s, is a die-hard believer  in the Experiment, even though his first job in the city is as a garbage  collector. As increasinbly nightmarish scenarios begin to affect  the city, he rises through the political hierarchy, with devastating  effect.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43204434362546,"sku":"9781473222281","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781473222281_ce9a37e6-28d6-41f7-bcd5-543ef48fd1c4.jpg?v=1786020713"},{"product_id":"9781473208292","title":"Hard To Be A God","description":"Anton is an undercover operative from future Earth, who travels to an alien world whose culture has not progressed beyond the Middle Ages. Although in possession of far more advanced knowledge than the society around him, he is forbidden to interfere with the natural progress of history. His place is to observe rather than interfere - but can he remain aloof in the face of so much cruelty and injustice ...?","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43204490264754,"sku":"9781473208292","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781473208292_988c6ff3-b90c-4594-a278-68b9c86d69f4.jpg?v=1786020582"},{"product_id":"9781473232440","title":"The Inhabited Island","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhen Maxim Kammerer, a young space explorer from twenty-second-century Earth, crash-lands on an uncharted world, he thinks of himself as a latter-day Robinson Crusoe. Eager to establish first contact with the planet's humanlike inhabitants, he finds himself increasingly entangled in their primitive way of life. After his experiences in their nightmarish military, criminal justice, and mental health systems, Maxim begins to realize that his sojourn on this radioactive and war-scarred world will not be a walk in the park.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Inhabited Island is one of the Strugatsky brothers' most popular and  acclaimed novels, yet the only previous English-language edition  (Prisoners of Power) was based on a version heavily censored by Soviet  authorities. Now, in a sparkling new edition by award-winning translator  Andrew Bromfield, this landmark novel can be newly appreciated by both  longtime Strugatsky fans and new explorers of the Russian science  fiction masters' astonishingly rich body of work.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43204494459058,"sku":"9781473232440","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781473232440.jpg?v=1786020915"},{"product_id":"9781399617208","title":"Roadside Picnic","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Strugatsky brothers' poignant and introspective novel of first contact that inspired the classic film \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eStalker\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRed Schuhart is a stalker, one of those strange misfits who are compelled by some unknown force to venture illegally into the Zone and, in spite of the extreme danger, collect the mysterious artefacts that the alien visitors left scattered around. His life is dominated by the Zone and the thriving black market in the alien products. Even the nature of his daughter has been determined by the Zone. And it is for her that Red makes his last, tragic foray into the hazardous and hostile depths.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReaders can't stop thinking about Roadside Picnic:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'A story of a horrific yet fascinating place, a story of an ordinary and unlikable man just trying to get by,\u003cb\u003e a\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003ephilosophical interlude on humanity and its significance or lack thereof\u003c\/b\u003e, of greed and wonder, and the fever dream of the soul scream. \u003cb\u003eIt still speaks to me\u003c\/b\u003e' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Such an intriguing setting for me, such \u003cb\u003ean unusual take on alien interaction\u003c\/b\u003e' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'It is \u003cb\u003ea thought-provoking, hard-to-put down masterpiece\u003c\/b\u003e, most probably the best introduction to Soviet science fiction. A must read for any sci-fi fan' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'A \u003cb\u003efantastic and creative\u003c\/b\u003e exploration of what first contact might be like' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'The tone of the book is \u003cb\u003eakin to that of some noir works, dark, gritty,\u003c\/b\u003e getting darker and grittier as the tale wears on . . . Like many great books, the meaning of the ending is left up to the reader' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'A beautifully depressive and \u003cb\u003ewonderfully atmospheric science fiction novel\u003c\/b\u003e about life on Earth after an alien \"Visitation\" that leaves humans with more questions than answers . . . \u003cb\u003eOnce I started reading it today, I couldn't stop.\u003c\/b\u003e The story captured my heart and held my attention' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  'This is the sort of book that you read and then immediately feel the need to lend it to someone you know so that they can experience and enjoy it themselves . . . \u003cb\u003eI was truly astonished\u003c\/b\u003e-by both the \u003cb\u003epoignancy and the deceptive(?) simplicity\u003c\/b\u003e of this relatively short novel' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56298801496437,"sku":"9781399617208","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781399617208_ec0a9d61-6549-43e3-9aff-5ac928dc897b.jpg?v=1786019707"},{"product_id":"9781473228283","title":"The Snail on the Slope","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eENTER THE ADMINISTRATION\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePeretz spends his days navigating the bureaucracy of the Administration, the institute tasked with governing the Forest below. Except no one ever seems to go there, and his attempts only trap him further within the workings of this strange organisation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eENTER THE FOREST\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCandide cannot remember how he got to the Forest, and he is certain he belongs somewhere else. Determined to escape, he finds that all paths lead him round strange bends and into encounters with bizarre creatures.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNOTHING IS AS IT SEEMS\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis classic SF novel sees Boris and Arkady Strugatsky meditate on how little man can understand of the wider world, and in doing so produce one of the great literary works to come out of Soviet Russia.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56301193757045,"sku":"9781473228283","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781473228283_f3f2a6a6-c9a8-42c5-afb4-7dc75a325b6a.jpg?v=1786020856"},{"product_id":"9781473202214","title":"Monday Starts on Saturday","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhen young programmer Alexander Ivanovich Privalov picks up two hitchhikers while driving in Karelia, he is drawn into the mysterious world of the National Institute for the Technology of Witchcraft and Thaumaturgy, where research into magic is serious business. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd where science, sorcery and socialism meet, can chaos be far behind?\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56301390266741,"sku":"9781473202214","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781473202214_0c87ff8c-419f-468c-94bc-8d25169aa976.jpg?v=1786020540"},{"product_id":"one-billion-years-to-the-end-of-the-world","title":"One Billion Years to the End of the World","description":"Astrophysicist Dmitri Malianov is on the precipice of a major discovery - a Nobel Prize-worthy breakthrough. Yet, home alone in his Leningrad apartment, his work is beginning to be stymied. Strange and improbable distractions are mounting around him - and he is not alone. Across the city, his scientific colleagues, all close to their own Eureka moments, keep finding themselves subject to countless mysterious interruptions. Are they paranoid, or is a malign authority conspiring against them...?A science fiction classic from two Russian masters, One Billion Years to the End of the World is at turns both hilarious and suspenseful, while at its heart hiding a quiet yet biting critique of Soviet totalitarianism.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57499307934069,"sku":"9780241845301","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"the-dead-mountaineer-s-inn","title":"The Dead Mountaineer’s Inn","description":"Inspector Peter Glebsky goes away to an isolated ski chalet for a much-needed break, but strange, ghostly things start happening to him and an eclectic group of holidaymakers. Shortly after an avalanche blocks the mountain pass, a body is found. A murder, a mountain and a mystery to be solved!","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57499323203957,"sku":"9780241847756","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"lame-fate-ugly-swans","title":"Lame Fate - Ugly Swans","description":"A chilling exploration of Soviet society and the artist's role within it. Never before translated into English, Lame Fate tells of author Felix Sorokin, asked to submit a writing sample to a machine evaluating literary merit. Should he risk sharing his unpublished masterpiece? Sorokin's work is Ugly Swans, presented here in a new translation. It follows Victor Banev, who returns to his hometown to find it haunted by the supernatural \"clammies.\" They terrify adults but enthral teens, including Banev's daughter.    These intertwining stories delve into political progress, honor, courage, and art's value. As the Soviet era wanes, can individuals maintain integrity against oppression and decay? For readers of science fiction, literary fiction, and Russian history, this collection offers a thought-provoking journey into a world of moral compromise and the search for meaning.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57504743752053,"sku":"9781473234345","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}]}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/author-arkady-strugatsky.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}