The Roadside Picnic and more....

[@brettrobson5739]

It's been a few years since I read Picnic, and the movie has obviously got in my head as well. To me, this story's subtext is about why working class people, men in particular, continue to do things for a living that are bad for their health. Every working class person I have managed to get to read this has found this resonance. I get Le Guin's comment about "free men" but none of us are free physically, just in our minds. There's no escaping the milieu you come from, no matter where or what it is.

[@GrammaticusBooks]

Absolutely, the book works on a plethora of levels. Which is what makes it so good!

[@macrograms]

I've read Roadside Picnic twice. I love it so much. Philosophic traps, moral indifference, bittersweet struggles, and vodka. Because of course there is vodka.

[@GrammaticusBooks]

Russian equals vodka! Thanks for checking out the video Macrograms!

[@kdj3000]

I had never heard of Roadside Picnic. Thank you for the review. I'll put it on my TBR list.

[@GrammaticusBooks]

It is dark KDJ, definitely a book outside my normal bailiwick but worth the read.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I still haven’t read this (Roadside Picnic). I’m VERY late to the picnic. It sounds fantastic!

[@GrammaticusBooks]

Better late than never though! I do recommend it but it is quite a change of pace from normal fare.

[@thekeywitness]

You'll love it and so will Roger!

[@stunik156]

Great book … I loved it when I read it last year .. and kept thinking about it a long time after .

[@GrammaticusBooks]

It's definitely one of those books that slowly invades your mind!

[@jamesabbiati5775]

Added to my to-get list. (Amber was awesome, btw! Ate those up pretty quick.)

[@GrammaticusBooks]

Very glad you liked the Amber series James! A great fast paced adventure. Picnic is definitely a different animal. But good in it's own way. Very Russian, I hope you enjoy it as well. Please let me know what your take on it is!

[@ReadingIDEAS.-uz9xk]

Your library shows some great books. Best wishes with your reading choices this year.

[@GrammaticusBooks]

Thanks IDEAS! And back at you sir!

[@OzrikTentakles]

Yeah, thanks for the rec... the Strugatsky books are really great. The recent republication of The Doomed City is worth checking out as a fascinating (if complex and rambling) time capsule of the absurdity of life in the USSR.

[@GrammaticusBooks]

I used to work with (or receive instruction from is more accurate) Soviet dissidents and escapees from the USSR. Crazy stories! Thanks for checking out the video Ozrik!

[@BookBlather]

Great review of R.P. I had a lot of trouble wrapping my head around this book. As I read it, I knew there was some underlying socioeconomic message, but for the life of me, could not figure out exactly what it was 😜. I also didn’t dig the change in narrative voice… you might be right about how the brothers wrote it. The long history of them trying to publish this in its original form is fascinating.

[@GrammaticusBooks]

I had some idea of what I was in for starting the book. If I hadn't, I'm not sure I would have continued, with it being such a departure from what I normally read. I can see how it could be off putting. It is growing on me. One of those rare books that seems to age well after reading. And the history of getting it published was an amazing story. You can see right there where the brothers got a large portion of their pessimistic attitude!

[@DDB168]

Roadside Picnic sounds great, I think I'll read it. I wonder if there is a pre-censorship panel version?

[@GrammaticusBooks]

I think they were eventually able to publish a relatively un-censored version of the book....after 8 years of fights!

[@StygianDogs]

Going to have to check this out. Thanks GB!

[@GrammaticusBooks]

it's different. But I think you'll like it SD!

[@StevenEverett7]

Interesting reviews Grammaticus. I'll be interested in hearing your thoughts on Stranger. I read it once many years ago and I can agree that it's definitely strange! That's one Heinlein that I won't read again... not that I disliked it but it was just weird!

[@GrammaticusBooks]

A lot to talk about there Steve!

[@Littlebiglibrary]

I've read all the Tarzan books years ago and was pleasantly surprised at how good those books are. I also used to read Thor when I was a kid and my favorite issues was when Thor was fighting Hercules. I loved when those two fought!

[@GrammaticusBooks]

I very much enjoyed the first Tarzan novel and am looking forward to the second. The Thor v Hercules are classic comics! Legendary really. Thanks for checking out the video James!

[@Toracube]

I’ve watched Stalker quite a few times, and liked its eerie pacing. Didn’t know this book even existed. There is grim and there is soviet grim. Try to catch the ascent, by the late great larrisa Shepitko if you can. It’s on KZbin. Grim, but amazing. Got to find me some Lem.. he’s rated highly apparently.

[@GrammaticusBooks]

Lem is up there. Held up as the pinnacle of Eastern (Soviet era) SciFi. I enjoy Lem but wouldn't put him on the Mt. Olympus of scifi writers. I'll check out Ascent. Thanks for the tip on that one Toracube!

[@davidryle]

Good review. My copy is from 2007 (SF Masterworks of Orion Books). I would love to know your thoughts on Stanislaw Lems' "The Cyberiad" and Frank Herberts' "The White Plague". ...and don't fret the Tarzan series. E. R. Burroughs was/is an absolute genius and translates well to this day.

[@GrammaticusBooks]

Thanks David! And would you believe I've not read Cyberiad (I don't think so anyway, I read Lem decades ago and may have just forgotten this one) or White Plague. Loving the Tarzan series. Should be done with 'Return of Tarzan' by tomorrow. Thanks again for checking out the video!

[@PeculiarNotions]

I agree that Roadside Picnic is a book that stays with you. It's definitely worth reading for concept and setting alone.

[@GrammaticusBooks]

Great book on many different levels PN!

[@General_reader]

What a coincidence I just had a coworker recommend this book 2 days ago. PS, you really should put a dust jacket cover on that dune.

[@GrammaticusBooks]

It's a good one. Better than I expected GR.

[@BookBlather]

MKV got me on Tarzan, too. I’m about to start book 6. Damn him 😜

[@GrammaticusBooks]

He's insidious that way!

[@luiznogueira1579]

I saw the Tarkowsky movie and was a bit underwhelmed by the whole thing. But I know Roadside Picnic is highly regarded and has many fans. Your description of the setup reminded me of how the Soviets handled foreign service personnel and their families back in the early 70's. There were some half dozen neighborhoods set aside for us foreigners, where the locals weren't allowed access unless permitted by the government. At first these places were surrounded by metal fences, and all entrances had guards to keep the russians away. But as the fences were rusty and full of holes, some russian kids would get in and trade all sorts of objects with us. I guess they were like the 'stalkers' in the book. They'd trade anything for a piece of chewing gum! Eventually the rusty fences were replaced by concrete walls, and the 'stalkers' stopped coming.

[@GrammaticusBooks]

Interesting story Luiz! Were you able to trade for anything memorable/valuable? And if I may ask, what line of work was your Dad in? Diplomatic?

[@luiznogueira1579]

@@GrammaticusBooks They usually brought medals(Soviets had a thing for medals) insignia, epaulettes, etc. The most interesting thing I got was a Matchbox miniature car which had been stolen from me in the hotel we stayed in before moving to the flat. Turns out the kid had an aunt who worked there--the likely culprit. Yeah, my dad was in the diplomatic Corps, that's why we ended up in that godforsaken place. But he actually enjoyed working there, said It was pretty interesting. We just had to endure...

[@GrammaticusBooks]

@@luiznogueira1579 So you got back the Matchbox car that was stolen from you? Classic!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Hath I fallen under the Curse of Grammaticus!? I SAY THEE NAY!

[@GrammaticusBooks]

Hah!

[@SleepyBookReader-666]

In the very early 80s I saw a Russian film called Stalker that was supposedly sci fi, I couldn't understand what was going all at all. Maybe i should read the book and then try the movie again, heh.

[@GrammaticusBooks]

Would you believe I have not watched the film Sleepy? (is it any good?)

[@SleepyBookReader-666]

@@GrammaticusBooks When i saw it at age twenty it seemed boring as heck.

[@SleepyBookReader-666]

Stan Lee is the most successful writer of all time, you should treasure, savor and take notes on each and every pulse pounding word! Excelsior beleaguered reader!

[@GrammaticusBooks]

Oh I'm savoring it......Lol. It is good, but 1000+ pages and I need a palette cleanser.

[@danhamilton7990]

The Russian film passed on this book is available on Max

[@GrammaticusBooks]

I've not seen the movie yet. But have heard from a number of viewers that it's not that good. Would be interested in your opinion if you've seen it?

[@danhamilton7990]

Called Stalker

[@GrammaticusBooks]

The movie I'm assuming?

[@stephenmorton8017]

one can always tell Russian fiction, either prose or film. the is absolutely NO banter in the dialog.

[@GrammaticusBooks]

Very true Stephen!