Hello my fellow book lovers!
First of all, I want to thank Swift Press for the proof copy of this book and for the opportunity to be part of this blog tour! Exciting! #ToTheLakeBlogTour
I want to begin with - this book hits home.
A deadly flu pandemic is sweeping through Russia's capital Moscow. In the beginning nobody really takes it that seriously, but very soon, when the flu starts killing hundreds of thousands of people, everything shuts down. Schools, shops, streets ... Whole Moscow is cut off, surrounded by barbed wire. No phones. Masks. Or, no masks? People shut behind closed doors, afraid to step outside.
From one day to another - everything changed. People are trying to get into Moscow to save loved ones, and people are trying to get out to save themselves and their loved ones. Chaos. Panic.
Sounds familiar?
Reading this book made me relive all the feelings around the Covid-19 pandemic, especially when it all started being very serious back in March, 2020. In this book, you could really feel this fear of the unknown... the same way we all felt back then and are still feeling now.
In the centre of the story we have Anya, her son Mishka and her husband Sergey living in the suburban area of Moscow. We follow them on their journey to flee Moscow. They agree on going to a cabin on a lake, surrounded by nothing, in the far north of Russia. No people, no problem? But of course, the idea is one thing, the execution is something else.
More and more people join them. All of them are people Anya dislikes - their annoying neighbours Marina, Lenny and their daughter Dasha, Sergey's ex-wife Ira and their son Anton, Sergey's father Boris, Sergey's friend Andrey and his wife Natasha.
They encounter numerous obstacles on their way, from food and gas shortage, navigating their way through the harsh Russian winter, aggression, hostility, jealousy, grief, fear and dealing with their own feelings and especially some past relationships. To make things worse for Anya, all those people are from Sergey's side, while she had only him and Mishka - all her loved ones couldn't get out of quarantined Moscow and have lost their lives to the deadly virus.
The story is told from Anya's point of view, and she is not the most likeable person. Neither of them is, actually, but that makes the story even better, more real, authentic and raw. With time, you really start to care and route for them, especially for Anya. Yana Vagner did a great job with Anya - even though you might not like her at all times, but you can definitely see where her feelings and actions are coming from. You understand her and you feel for her.
I was constantly on the edge of my seat. With each page I wanted to know what will happen next. What new issue, obstacle or drama will occur, how will they solve it and will they actually make it, and how many of them, to the final destination. The story is dramatic and intense, at times fast and exciting and at times quiet and introspective.
The book ends kind of abruptly, but as there is a second book, I am sure we will find out more soon. It is also a Netflix show - looking forward to seeing the story unfold on screen too!
All in all, I find it to be a very gripping and suspenseful psychological thriller. I really enjoyed Yana Vagner's clever writing, translated from Russian to English by Maria Wiltshire.
This is a book that will keep you guessing and make you feel like you are in the middle of the chaos, traveling with our protagonists. You will feel what they feel. I recommend it!
Have you read the book? Let me know what you think on my Instagram or Twitter.
Much love, Z.
