Source – personnel copy
Andrey Kurkov is a Ukrainian writer he grew up under the soviet system ,his father was a test pilot and his mother a doctor .He trained as a Japanese translator and did his Military service as a prison guard in the southern Ukraine city of Odessa ,he has publish thirteen novels and some children’s books .His books have been translated into numerous languages
Death and the penguin was Kurkov’s debut novel and was written in russian and translated here by George Bird ,he has translated Kurkov’s over novels .The book centre’s on Victor a writer struggling to make a living at his craft he has a companion Misha a Penguin he rescue from a local zoo that had to get rid of its animals .The book starts with victor been offered a job which he takes as Obituary writer ,so he then seems to be boosted in the world of politics and corruption as he meets and chats to the friends and family of the recently deceased or to be deceased as it turns out along the way Victor meets another Misha a human thou which made me laugh as she is referred to as the non penguin Misha through the book .There is also two women that seem to end up at the funerals and a shadowy figure called that fat man ,A downward spiral of disaster awaits Victor as the hapless writer gets drag into a conspiracy ,which means he has to escape and Misha the penguin ends up getting sent to her home in the Antarctic .
Two days later the phone rang ,
capital news. Sorry to trouble you said a crisp ,clear female voice I have the editor in chief on the line .
The receiver changed hands .
Viktor Alekseyevich a man’s voice enquired couldn’t pop in today could you ? or are you busy ?
no said Viktor .
The phone call that sets Viktor on a troubling path and a start in writing Obituaries
This book was dark and comic novel ,a look at post communist Ukraine ,I felt Misha and Viktor maybe symbolise Ukraine a little Misha a nation flightless and out-of-place and Viktor an artist want to find its voice amongst corrupt people and crumbling system .Kurkov’s writing is fast-moving and lyrical at times .Most of the story is told from Viktors point of view as he gets caught up in troubling times .Misha is his escape from his everyday world this penguin that needs him to look after him and ultimately set her free on her new life and in doing so sets himself on a new life path .This book has a follow-up penguin lost
This is one of my eastern european reading challenge choices ,
Have you read this book ?
I’ve wanted to read this one ever since Armen chose it for his Triple Choice Tuesday selection http://kimbofo.typepad.com/readingmatters/2010/11/triple-choice-tuesday-armen.html
I remember the post Kim I had penguin lost at time but want to wait to get this to read fist ,all the best stu
I liked the book- dark and funny. It seemed quite unusual and was very readable. It did not seem like art but it was certainly diverting. I would recommend it to anyone who was looking for that kind of thing. Thank you so much for reminding me of a book that had all but slipped out of my memory. Jon.
Thanks for first comment Jon ,it is very readable looking forward to reading Penguin lost ,all the best stu
I’ve read & enjoyed Kurkov’s Good Angel of Death, in fact posted on it. Have been meaning to check this out, as It’s supposed to be better.This writer has got some stick before, because he writes in Russian, not Ukrainian, strange but true.
Yes can imagine it didn’t go down well ,this is well worth reading ,all the best stu
I read this a few years ago, Stu, and really enjoyed it. Quite surreal but amusing and engaging. You’ve reminded me that I need to read Penguin Lost.
Thanks Claire ,all the best stu
I haven’t read it bit it sounds amazing. I love the title and the cover and the story sounds pretty unique. Ill keep an eye out for it
Worth trying becky,all the best stu
This book sounds so intriguing, I haven’t read it yet but would like to.
Good to hear Emily ,all the best stu
I got this on my TBR pile and am very much looking forward to reading it.
Hope you enjoy it too ,all the best stu
I like the idea of black humour being used to explore the absurdity of communist regimes. Everything I’ve read so far has been deadly serious.
yes at times the system was very funny ,all the best stu
I’ve been meaning to read some of his books for ages. A Russian friend of mine doesn’t like the English translations though – maybe because he’s Ukrainian writing in Russian then translated into English … I will try one soon though.
sure it is that ,know Makine has same problem he is Russian and writes in French ,all the best stu
I loved this book – I love Penguins and I thought this was absolutely fantastic. I read the sequel too. I haven’t tried any other books by Kurkov; not sure if I’d enjoy them as it was the Penguin element that appealed most to me.
I ve another of his the presidents last love and penguin lost as well ,all the best stu
I thought I’d heard of this book somewhere and it was on Kim’s blog! Kurkov was actually at the Galle Literary Festival I went to in Sri Lanka a few weeks back and I really wanted to attend his talk but couldn’t because it clashed with Lawrence Hill’s. His books sound so interesting.
This one sounds intriguing, Stu. My library doesn’t have any of Kurkov’s books but I will keep my eyes open for a used copy.
I haven’t read it nor any Eastern European novel as such. I really need to set up a challenge of reading Easter European novels – may be next year. Thanks for this Stu
oh look forward to see what you pick Nana ,all the best stu
You find the most interesting books Stu. I do think it would be worth the effort to search this one out. Thanks.