Ljudmila Stefanovna Petruševskaja Book order

From Ludmilla Petrushevskaya, Russia's greatest living absurdist and surrealistic writer and New York Times bestseller: traditional family drama meet burlesque social satire, enveloped in a Bollywood soap-opera plot. Set in the 1980s and '90s, Kidnapped focuses on the life of Alina, a promising language student who must drop her academic career because of an unplanned pregnancy. Alina decides to give up a baby for adoption after birth and is set to leave the hospital alone. In the hospital she meets another girl, Masha, who is happily looking forward to the childbirth and speaks up of her life plans with the husband in a republic in South Asia. When Masha dies in childbirth, Alina impulsively exchanges the babies' name bracelets in an attempt to send her newborn son away from the dull reality of Soviet life. But then the unthinkable happens: Masha's husband asks Alina to falsify her identity and come with him in the foreign service. Full of twists and turns, Kidnapped results in a drama worthy of a daytime soap opera: medical deceit, identity scams, and falsified death abound. Despite it all, Alina survives against all odds in unthinkable circumstances, sure above all that she will learn to be a good mother.

"The New Adventures of Helen" features tales that blend fairy tale elements with satire and darkness. Petrushevskaya explores themes of gender, love, and memory in a unique style that challenges readers. These "adult fairy tales" offer a quirky yet hopeful perspective, appealing to English-speaking audiences worldwide.

This autobiographical work offers a profound exploration of personal experiences and reflections, delving into the author's life journey with honesty and depth. It captures significant moments that shaped the author's identity, revealing vulnerabilities and triumphs. The narrative invites readers to connect with universal themes of resilience and self-discovery, making it a compelling read for those interested in authentic life stories. Its recognition as a finalist for a prestigious award underscores its impactful storytelling and emotional resonance.

"The masterly novellas that established Ludmilla Petrushevskaya as one of the greatest living Russian writers . After her work was suppressed for many years, Ludmilla Petrushevskaya won wide recognition for capturing the experiences of everyday Russians with profound pathos and mordant wit. Among her most famous and controversial works, these three novellas-The Time Is Night, Chocolates with Liqueur, and Among Friends-are modern classics that breathe new life into Tolstoy's famous dictum, "All happy families are alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." Together they confirm the genius of an author with a gift for turning adversity into art"--

Exploring the complexities of life in Stalinist Russia, this collection features masterly novellas that showcase the author's profound storytelling and insight into the human experience. Included is a new translation of the modern classic "The Time Is Night," which delves into themes of isolation and resilience. The work highlights the author's reputation as one of the greatest living Russian writers, offering readers a poignant glimpse into a tumultuous era through rich characters and evocative narratives.

Exploring dark and surreal themes, this collection features love stories that blend the uncanny with the emotional complexities of relationships. Each tale offers a unique twist, challenging conventional narratives and delving into the depths of desire, obsession, and the human psyche. The author's distinctive style weaves together elements of fantasy and reality, creating a haunting atmosphere that lingers long after the final page. Ideal for readers seeking thought-provoking and unconventional romantic narratives.

Featuring unique love stories, this collection showcases the work of Russia's leading contemporary fiction writer, known for their acclaimed memoir about childhood in Stalinist Russia. The narratives delve into complex relationships, blending emotional depth with unexpected twists, reflecting the author's insightful perspective on love and life. Each story offers a fresh take on romance, revealing the intricacies of human connections against a backdrop of rich cultural history.

Born in Moscow in 1938, Ludmilla Petrushevskaya is a prominent contemporary Russian writer known for her impactful prose and plays. With over fifteen collections to her name, her notable works include the short novel "The Time: Night," which was shortlisted for the Russian Booker Prize, and "Svoi Krug," a significant portrayal of the 1980s Soviet intelligentsia. A celebrated playwright since the 1980s, she has had her works performed by leading Russian theater companies and received the esteemed Triumph Prize for lifetime achievement in 2002.

The literary event of Halloween: a book of otherworldly power from Russia's preeminent contemporary fiction writerVanishings and apparitions, nightmares and twists of fate, mysterious ailments and supernatural interventions haunt these stories by the Russian master Ludmilla Petrushevskaya, heir to the spellbinding tradition of Gogol and Poe. Blending the miraculous with the macabre, and leavened by a mischievous gallows humor, these bewitching tales are like nothing being written in Russia-or anywhere else in the world-today.