Metro 2033 by Dmitry Głuchowski is a cult science fiction novel, the most famous Russian book of recent years. Circulation – half a million copies, translations into dozens of languages plus an amazing computer game! This post-apocalyptic story inspired a whole galaxy of contemporary writers and now they co-create the Metro 2033 Universe , a series of books based on the themes of an excellent novel.
The heroes of these new stories finally step outside the Moscow metro. Their adventures on the surface of the earth, almost annihilated by a nuclear war, exceed all expectations. Now the fight for the survival of mankind will be everywhere! From the shimmering fog on the Outskirts of Samara, from the city situated on the bank of the Bela River, from the burnt outposts of Orenburg … Kilometers of wandering through a half-dead world, a journey leading to a city devoid of joy. Each of the wanderers has a goal, each has a path. How it follows it depends what it will become. However, in a world full of blood and hatred, it is impossible to go your way without getting dirty. And the road changes everyone – it leaves scars on the body and scars on the soul. It is hard not to break under the pressure of circumstances, not to bow to the sharp lash of fate. But only when a man successfully passes his wandering trials can he understand who he is and why he is here. No matter what obstacles appear on the journey, he should overcome them with honor. And it is possible that then, at the end of the road, he will see a trembling mirage of hope.
The above description is provided by the publisher.
But what is in the book itself? This is how the author – Dmitry Manasypov answers the question.
There is steel and hope in it. For this a little lead, humanity, barbarism, pain, blood, minor tragedies and even smaller, and therefore more important, joys. Steel is not only in knives, axes, sharpened tubes, hammers and firearms. Steel is the rails of one of the oldest Russian railways connecting Moscow with Siberia. The whole thing takes place in three regions of Russia located far from Moscow. There are the great Volga River flowing through Samara, the endless Ural steppes of Orenburg and the once green forests and meadows of Bashkiria.
There are also many heroes, from the main to the supporting ones, and apart from people, I am very serious, one of them is a huge mutant cat. And believe me, Saber Tooth’s fate will interest readers throughout the trilogy. In the book, practically every reader will find a character for themselves.
The path of steel and hope is distinguished by its ruthlessness, the harsh and brutal post-apo climate will stay with us from the beginning to the end. What’s worse – the only way to survive in this new world and defeat evil is to become evil yourself. The author replies, which prompted him to such a pessimistic vision:
I don’t like post-apo romanticization. I probably stopped liking after serving in the army. Once upon a time, living in the world of Mad Max, the Water World or the Messenger of the Future seemed extremely attractive to me. You can forgive it when you watched these films when you were 12-13 years old. In the military, I happened to serve in the Caucasus when it was restless there. And understanding simple things – hot and always available water, warmth regardless of the availability of wood, a leak-proof roof over your head and eight hours of restful sleep – understanding them changed your view on many issues.
In Russia, we have a saying “when you live with wolves, you howl like a wolf.” In my opinion, it shows my idea very well in these books. If you are kind, noble, and peaceful, they will devour you. So sharpen your fangs and claws, and if you don’t have them, figure out what to replace them with. The most important thing is not the weapon, but the hands that hold it and the head, which is the most important weapon. After all, it is from thinking, not eating with it.
The way of steadfast and hope requires no knowledge of any previous books.
The book can be ordered at Empik.com
