Kombinat Book Review: A Gripping, Thought-Provoking Novel

Get ready for a wild ride on the Kombinat - you might get taken out by a stray bullet on day 5 or 30 years later, who knows?

summarizeEditor's Summary

Dmitry Danilov's Kombinat is a wild ride of a novel that'll keep you on the edge of your seat. The non-linear storyline's got plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. It's a thought-provoking exploration of complex themes and existential questions. I was hooked from the start, and the story's build quality impressed me with its depth and complexity. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to get invested in their struggles. If you're up for a challenge, Kombinat's definitely worth checking out.

settingsSpecifications

Kararİyi

KitapSayfası7/10

HikayeKalitesi9/10

YazarınGörünümü8/10

I started with the headline translation, which set the tone for the entire story. That's basically the hook that grabs your attention.

xa0

From that opening line, I think most readers can tell if they're in the mood for a dive into...the abyss.

xa0

This is my first time reading Dmitry Danilov's work - I hadn't come across him before, but then I saw his book on the Big Book shortlist. His background as a renowned author and playwright, winner of the Golden Mask, Andrei Bely, and Moscow Art Prize awards, and a Big Book and NOSS finalist, definitely caught my attention.

Dmitry Danilov - a renowned author and playwright, winner of the Golden Mask, Andrei Bely, and Moscow Art Prize awards, and a Big Book and NOSS finalist. Learn more: [link]

xa0

Publisher: Elena Shubina's Edition, 2022.

With only 256 tiny pages, it's a quick and intense read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Contains explicit language, 18+

It's also a pretty harsh and sometimes explicit read for those under 18.

I stumbled upon a preview of this book online, but the blurb didn't exactly win me over initially. However, I chanced upon the book in the library, and I thought, why not flip through it, read a bit more right there in the reading room, without even taking off my coat? And then I could take it home. It's also nice to be the first reader, since it's a new release, after all. And I devoured it in one sitting, no problem.

It may seem like unnecessary info, but this is actually a great illustration of how the novel really hooks you! I mean, we often can't tear ourselves away from what scares us because it's so intriguing. And maybe it's also because, against the backdrop of such a story, many of our own problems seem like everyday stuff.

xa0

Dmitry Danilov masterfully paints a picture of the world in just a few strokes, where the initially positive idea of humanism becomes absurdity and even its opposite.

The book isn't structured into chapters, but rather small episodes. We see everything from the outside. Also, the author gives the reader the opportunity to decide for themselves what's important and what's not in each situation. At one point, he notes that it means nothing. But who says we have to believe and agree? I, for one, don't agree.

I have to say, the concept of the main character's sentence being decided randomly really got under my skin. It's not just about the death sentence itself, but the uncertainty of it all.

The story starts off with Sergei (the main character, not Sasha - I've seen some reviews explain who Sasha is, but I'll let you discover that for yourself) spending his last days on conditional freedom. Let's just say, freedom is not exactly what he's experiencing.

What really got my blood boiling, though, was how the main character's loved ones behaved. It's heartbreaking to see him isolated like this - it's like no one actually cares about him. And that's just not fair, because he needs support more than ever.

I'm also cringing at the psychologist's behavior - I'm a psychologist myself, so I know how things should be done.

As we read the book, we're all on edge, waiting for the execution to happen. But for the main character, there's no clear end in sight. He's trapped in this never-ending nightmare, with no escape in sight.

What led to the main character's sentence? Was it a crime that deserved punishment, or not? In the world of this book, the letter of the law is pretty much irrelevant, and it has its own logic.

The narrative voice may seem dry to some, not very ornate. For me, that wasn't a problem. The short episodes are convenient for modern readers, and the author might have been counting on the fact that people are now better at processing fast, clip-like content. We don't focus on one thing for long; we need to switch between things constantly. In a way, the work is almost a ready-made script. But the author is a screenwriter, after all.

The author does a great job of raising universal, existential questions in a subtle way, without resorting to obvious philosophy or lecturing. Meaning of life, loneliness, responsibility, freedom, fear of death.

The ending is open, which caught me off guard. Two possible interpretations come to mind, and while one doesn't exclude the other, I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. At least, it's thought-provoking and memorable.

A few quotes

"I haven't done anything bad to you, but please forgive me, as a person who's got everything going for them. You've got problems, and I've got everything, so please forgive me, okay?"

To me, the dialogue is great because it's very conversational, with people being emotional, rambling, and repeating themselves.

"There are situations where someone just needs to be with someone, without doing anything else. Just be with them."

I have to admit, you shook my faith in humanity pretty badly.

xa0

Check out my other book reviews!

live_helpFeatured FAQ

What can I expect from the story of Kombinat?

Get ready for a wild ride with a non-linear storyline, complex themes, and multiple plot twists. The story explores existential questions and features well-developed characters with relatable struggles.

Is Kombinat suitable for all ages?

No, Kombinat contains harsh content and is not recommended for readers under 18.

What makes Kombinat stand out from other literary fiction?

The original and engaging narrative, combined with the build quality of the story, make Kombinat a must-read for fans of literary fiction.

Can I relate to the characters in Kombinat?

Yes, the characters in Kombinat are well-developed and their struggles feel authentic and relatable.

Is Kombinat a challenging read?

Yes, Kombinat can be challenging to follow at times due to its non-linear structure, but the payoff is worth it.

What awards has Dmitry Danilov won?

Dmitry Danilov's a renowned author and playwright who's won several awards, including the Golden Mask, Andrei Bely, and Moscow Art Prize awards, as well as being a Big Book and NOSS finalist.

What is the Big Book shortlist?

The Big Book shortlist is a prestigious literary award that recognizes outstanding works of fiction, and Kombinat's nomination is a testament to its quality and impact.

What can I expect from the writing style of Dmitry Danilov?

Dmitry Danilov's writing style is engaging, original, and thought-provoking, making Kombinat a compelling read.

check_circlePros

•Gripping non-linear storyline that'll keep you hooked
•Original and engaging narrative that explores complex themes
•Well-developed characters with relatable struggles
•Authentic and thought-provoking story that'll keep you thinking
•Build quality is impressive, with a depth and complexity that's hard to put down
•Ease of use is high, with a narrative that flows smoothly
•Characters are well-written and feel real
•Story's got plenty of surprises to keep you engaged
•Themes are thought-provoking and make you think
•Author's writing style is engaging and original