Suvudu has an exclusive look at the upcoming novel from Russian author Max Frei, The Stranger, which is garnering a fair bit of early buzz.
A synopsis:
Once a self-described “classic loser” who, if it weren’t for bad luck, wouldn’t have any luck at all, Max is an insomniac who sleeps all day, a night owl in a world of larks, a social outcast and a glutton with nothing to show for himself but empty cigarette packs. At twenty-something, Max is never the early bird and he never gets the worm. Then one day he suddenly finds himself transplanted into an alternate dream universe in the city of Echo, summoned by the chief of the Secret Police. In this world, he is deemed a species of magical secret agent, is made a member of the Department of Absolute Order, and must solve unimaginably extravagant cases with his exceptional new powers. Fate smiles on Max in the city of Echo, where everything that happens to him happens for a reason, and the one-time slacker is known reverently as the “unequalled Sir Max.” As Max learns how to navigate through his bizarre new reality, he takes readers on the journey of a lifetime punctuated by incredible events and a cast of unforgettable characters.
In an additional twist of fantasy, the true author behind the endearing narrator of The Labyrinths of Echo series is revealed in reality as Russian writer Svetlana Martynchik. In the hands of this literary ventriloquist, Max Frei comes alive in the tradition of Sergei Lukyanenko’s internationally bestselling Night Watch trilogy. Similarly sprawling, inventive, and destined for success, The Stranger is soon to become a favorite fixture in bookshelves all over the world.
From Kirkus:
If Harry Potter smoked cigarettes and took a certain matter-of-fact pleasure in administering tough justice, he might like Max Frei, the protagonist of this fantasy novel… Well-written, well-paced grown-up fantasy with a strong dose of reality.
You can find Chapter Four of the novel HERE.
This will prove to be an interesting reading, even if the story fails to deliver, though I doubt that given the free chapter. The world building is inviting enough to guarantee a pleasent experience. I have to give to the marketing team though, even though I am fed up of Harry Potter used as a marketing tool, it’s still is an attention sucker.
The synopsis sounds fantastic, like a total escapist’s dream read… I must check it out. Let us know if you read it! : )
Indeed. Courtesy of Colleen Lindsay, I should be getting my hands on a copy of this sometime in the next couple of weeks. I’m damn excited to take a look. Ever since reading The Shadow of the Wind, my interest in translated works has skyrocketed.
[…] they’re read, not talked about. If you want do talks before reading, I can recommend you to try this review — quite truthful one, indeed (I especially like the reader’s comment about escapists, for that […]
I’m so happy that this book is translated at last. I was waiting for it long time for my English speaking friends could read it. I will not lie if I say that Max Frei changed something in me. I’ve never read something more exiting and optimistic easy and deep – all at the same time. Really hope that translation is the same good as original. So I’ll gladly read it to. Wish you to enjoy “The Stranger” and wait for other translations. “You’ll never know where you luck out”…