Scan barcode
A review by couldbestephen
Jimi Hendrix Live in Lviv by Andrey Kurkov
3.0
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this novel!
Andrey Kurkov delivers a modern Ukrainian classic in this exploration of life in post Soviet Lviv, Ukraine. This novel is more about exploring the character of Ukrainians instead of following a plot and may not be a good introduction to Kurkov's body of work. I rated this 3 stars.
This story follows an eclectic cast of characters, such as the Jimi Hendrix loving "hippie," a man who collects urinary stones, and an actress, as they live their lives in and around Lviv, Ukraine. This is really an "extended slice of life" kind of book; low to no stakes, is character driven, and focuses on how all these characters live their lives and occasionally intersect with each other.
I adore Kurkov's translated prose; across the different translators, his direct voice and small bits of fantasy realism make the stories sing. Post Soviet Ukraine is dirty and strange and filled with characters who are occasionally off-putting and weird. But there's magic in reality. Reading this book renewed my pride in my home country. Kurkov's interpretation of Ukraine embraces the country in its entirety, his books are a love letter to this little country still figuring itself out.
The book's slow plot was a little off putting, I won't lie. As much as I enjoy a good character book, comparing JHLiL to his other character driven books that have a stronger plot (like Death and the Penguin or The Silver Bone) makes this one come across as a little "stuffy." Again, I still enjoyed it, it just didn't "hit" the same way his other works have. If you're a fan of slice of life slow burners, this book will be right up your alley.
I don't know if this is a book I would necessarily recommend to a general audience, but for those looking to read more Ukrainian lit, Kurkov cannot be missed and this book is an excellent exploration of the "character" of Ukrainians.
Andrey Kurkov delivers a modern Ukrainian classic in this exploration of life in post Soviet Lviv, Ukraine. This novel is more about exploring the character of Ukrainians instead of following a plot and may not be a good introduction to Kurkov's body of work. I rated this 3 stars.
This story follows an eclectic cast of characters, such as the Jimi Hendrix loving "hippie," a man who collects urinary stones, and an actress, as they live their lives in and around Lviv, Ukraine. This is really an "extended slice of life" kind of book; low to no stakes, is character driven, and focuses on how all these characters live their lives and occasionally intersect with each other.
I adore Kurkov's translated prose; across the different translators, his direct voice and small bits of fantasy realism make the stories sing. Post Soviet Ukraine is dirty and strange and filled with characters who are occasionally off-putting and weird. But there's magic in reality. Reading this book renewed my pride in my home country. Kurkov's interpretation of Ukraine embraces the country in its entirety, his books are a love letter to this little country still figuring itself out.
The book's slow plot was a little off putting, I won't lie. As much as I enjoy a good character book, comparing JHLiL to his other character driven books that have a stronger plot (like Death and the Penguin or The Silver Bone) makes this one come across as a little "stuffy." Again, I still enjoyed it, it just didn't "hit" the same way his other works have. If you're a fan of slice of life slow burners, this book will be right up your alley.
I don't know if this is a book I would necessarily recommend to a general audience, but for those looking to read more Ukrainian lit, Kurkov cannot be missed and this book is an excellent exploration of the "character" of Ukrainians.