As many of my regular blog readers will know, I am a great fan of Boris Akunin’s Erast Fandorin books. The most recent one to be published in English became available just before we went on our recent cruise, and I took delivery of a copy yesterday.
NOT SAYING GOODBYE follows on from the previous volume, BLACK CITY. Despite being shot in the head, Fandorin survived in a coma, looked after by his faithful Japanese companion, Masa. He remained in this state until after the Russian revolution, and thus missed Russia’s involvement in the Great War.
I won’t expand any further on the plot, but needless to say, it deals with events in Moscow between the dismissal of the Kerensky government and the Communist seizure of power.
NOT SAYING GOODBYE is the thirteenth book in the series to be published in English. In each book, Boris Akunin has tried to write the story in a particular fictional genre or style. The books are:
NOT SAYING GOODBYE was written by Boris Akunin, translated into English by Andrew Bromfield, and published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson in 2019 (ISBN 978 1 474 61098 8).
NOT SAYING GOODBYE follows on from the previous volume, BLACK CITY. Despite being shot in the head, Fandorin survived in a coma, looked after by his faithful Japanese companion, Masa. He remained in this state until after the Russian revolution, and thus missed Russia’s involvement in the Great War.
I won’t expand any further on the plot, but needless to say, it deals with events in Moscow between the dismissal of the Kerensky government and the Communist seizure of power.
NOT SAYING GOODBYE is the thirteenth book in the series to be published in English. In each book, Boris Akunin has tried to write the story in a particular fictional genre or style. The books are:
- THE WINTER QUEEN (2003): A conspiracy mystery
- THE TURKISH GAMBIT (2005): A spy novel
- MURDER ON THE LEVIATHAN (2004): Agatha Christie-type mystery
- THE DEATH OF ACHILLES (2005): a hired killer mystery
- SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS (two novellas published together) (2007)
- THE JACK OF SPADES: A novella about confidence men
- THE DECORATOR: A novella about a maniac
- THE STATE COUNSELLOR (2009): A political mystery
- THE CORONATION (2009): A high society mystery
- SHE LOVER OF DEATH (2009): A decadent mystery
- HE LOVER OF DEATH (2010): A Dickensian mystery
- THE DIAMOND CHARIOT (2011): An ethnographic mystery
- ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE (2017): A theatrical mystery
- BLACK CITY (2018): A political/thriller mystery
- NOT SAYING GOODBYE (2019): A historical mystery
NOT SAYING GOODBYE was written by Boris Akunin, translated into English by Andrew Bromfield, and published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson in 2019 (ISBN 978 1 474 61098 8).
Thanks for the heads up. I've only recently read Diamond Chariot, so I'm a few behind. And I've used that poster on the new book in a set of Wargames rules. Got a copy up on the wall in Shedquarters too.
ReplyDeleteTrebian,
DeleteI’m about halfway through this latest book, and think that it is well worth reading.
The poster is a well-known one, and I wish that I had a copy of it in my wargame/toy room.
All the best,
Bob
Just in time for holiday reading:thanks for the notice!
ReplyDeleteEd M,
DeleteI hope that you enjoy it as much as I have.
All the best,
Bob
Never heard of these. Must look them up! I've been reading Philp Pullman's latest 'Book of Dust' stories. Very different from the 'Dark Materials' trilogy, but with the same characters at different times in their lives. There seems to be a good deal of socio-political comment (observation?) embedded in 'The Secret Commonwealth'.
ReplyDeleteArchduke Piccolo,
DeleteThey are best sellers in Russia, and several have been turned into films. THE TURKISH GAMBIT is set during the Russo-Turkish War, and the film/DVD has some magnificent battle scenes.
I’ve read HIS DARK MATERIALS, but have yet to read the latest of Philip Pullman’s more recent books. I hope to remedy this next year.
All the best,
Bob