Imprint
- Gateway
Classic science fiction
One of Russian SF's most important novels, available uncensored for the first time, in a new translation by Andrew Bromfield.
When 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.
The 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.
Praise for The Inhabited Island
-
With its harsh portrayals of nuclear disaster and demented autocracy, this book is bound to spark curiosity about the political purposes of Soviet science fiction . . . The narrative proceeds with a clarity and firmness not quite like anything in even the finest American science fiction . . . A work of unmistakable stature - Kirkus Reviews
-
A devastating fable of the nature of power - political and military - and the power of the courageous human heart
-
Once again the Strugatskys demonstrate an impressive and congruous flair for creating imaginary societies which combine features of capitalism and features of the totalitarian State in extraordinarily vivid, tangible detail - Sunday Telegraph
-
Russia's best-known SF duo have come up with another winner . . . absorbing and revealing - Publishers Weekly
Arkady Strugatsky
Arkady Strugatsky (1925-1991) and Boris Strugatsky (1931-2012)
Arkady and Boris Strugatsky began to collaborate in the early 1950s after Arkady had studied English and Japanese and worked as a technical translator and editor, and Boris was a computer mathematician at Pulkova astronomical observatory. The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction describes them as 'the best Soviet SF writers' and works such as Hard to be a God, Definitely Maybe, The Snail on the Slope and Monday Begins on Saturday are powerful and poignant novels that continue to amaze and move readers. Andrei Tarkovsky's much admired film, Stalker, was based on their most famous work, Roadside Picnic.
Read more at http://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/strugatski_arkady
Find a book you’ll love, get our Word Up newsletter
.png?auto=compress&w=150&h=60&fit=crop&fm=jpg)
.png?auto=compress&w=150&h=60&fit=crop&fm=jpg)
Hachette Australia acknowledges and pays our respects to the past, present and future Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our head office is located on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.
