Terminus radieux

More about the book

Irreducible to any single literary genre, the Volodinian cosmos skillfully fuses elements of science fiction, magical realism, and political commentary. This work, the most distinctly sci-fi of Antoine Volodine’s translations into English, unfolds in a Tarkovskian landscape following the collapse of the Second Soviet Union. With most of humanity annihilated by nuclear meltdowns, a few communes persist, including one led by Solovyei, a psychotic father who invades the dreams of others, including his daughters, tormenting them for millennia. When a group of damaged individuals seeks refuge from the nuclear winter in Solovyei's commune, they plot to overthrow him, aiming to end his reign of mental abuse and restore humanity. Fantastical, unsettling, and occasionally humorous, this narrative is a pivotal entry in Volodine's expansive literary project, featuring a broad landscape, ambitious vision, and interconnected characters and ideas reminiscent of David Mitchell. Antoine Volodine, also known as Lutz Bassmann and Manuela Draeger, is a prolific French writer with over forty published works, including seven available in English translation. Jeffrey Zuckerman serves as the digital editor of Music & Literature, with his writing and translations featured in various notable publications.