Press about ‘Sergeant Bertrand’
Gazet van Antwerpen:
From time to time, but very rarely, a novel or story by a totally unknown author gives a glimpse of unexpected genius. The surprise is so big, that a second reading of the work compels itself, now with the clear gaze of the initiated. The novel ‘Sergeant Bertrand’ by Aleksandr Skorobogatov is one of those rare, really impressive debuts.
NRC Handelsblad:
It has been a while since such an original work has come from Russia to our language region. It is a relief, after the domination of the mundane and the moral indifference around which the present Russian literature seem to revolve, to be transported to other regions of human existence. And what is most gratifying is that Skorobogatov not only touches on other themes than his colleagues, but also writes so extraordinary well. I have read ‘Sergeant Bertrand’ in one sitting, and I remained in its grip even afterwards.
Knack:
In the first place, Skorobogatov wrote a beautiful, almost classic study.
Gonzo Circus:
Outstandingly charming prose debute.
Gazet van Antwerpen:
The previous year, ‘Sergeant Bertrand’ received an important award in Moscow, and the young author became a rising star at the literary firmament.
Het Laatste Nieuws:
When you start to read ‘Sergeant Bertrand’, you understand the reason for this award. It is a great story that immediately grabs you by the throat (and quite honestly, by other body parts too) and it doesn’t let go. It is written in a laconic and pointillistic way in a language without any superfluous detail. Just as with repetitive music, the repetitions must instil the reader with even more terror. And that makes the story extremely strong. This young god knows how to intrigue his readers with a mean, voyeuristic story. Reading it, you almost become an accessory to the fatal end. It is absolutely unique in Russian literature in general, and especially so in that of recent years. This story can be filmed as is, with an atmosphere worth a Polanski. In brief, a great talent. One to look forward to.
Focus Knack:
A novel that reads as a terrifying vision and mystifies you as a David Lynch film. Great literature, great author.
Algemeen Dagblad:
What he shows with this story is that decades of censorship and social-realistic literature are not sufficient to definitively exterminate individual strength of mind. There is still hope for the Russians.
De Standaard der Letteren:
Skorobogatov is considered as one of the most interesting authors of post-communist Russia.
Lektuurgids:
A Russian Edgar Allan Poe story, written in a sublime and breathtaking way.
Gierik/NVT:
This novel is in all respects one of the most astonishing books I have read.
Press about ‘Earth without Water’
Literaturnaja Rossia:
It has been a long, very long time since I have read a novel that I could only tear myself away from after I have turned the last page. Strong, sharp, dramatic and... bitter. A great book!
Ezhenedelnyj zhournal:
Here is yet another in the string of successes from the ‘non-commercial’ series by Olma-Press, without any doubt ‘Category A literature’. I put the word ‘non-commercial’ between bashful inverted commas, because it contains the connotation of ‘not easy to read, not absorbing’. But ‘Earth without Water’ is compelling, and sweeps you along like a whirlpool — somewhat in contradiction to the title.
Druzhba narodov:
In my opinion the best novel of last year was published in the series ‘Original’ of publishing house ‘Olma’. The leader I refer to is ‘Earth without Water’ by Aleksandr Skorobogatov. Aleksandr Skorobogatov’s novel deals with the traditional themes of Russian literature, and in my opinion, he does it with the same refinement as did the representatives thereof, thanks to which Russian literature is now considered great.
De Standaard der Letteren:
To say that ‘Earth without Water’ can be read as a thriller does injustice to Aleksandr Skorobogatov’s work. Yes, this book sweeps you along from the first page to the last. Yes, it is well written, with a lot of irony and black humour, but it is also a story with many layers and a subtly hidden message. It is a hallucinatory image of today’s Russia, but the motives, passions and cowardice of the personages are universal.
Znamya:
Aleksandr Skorobogatov is an outstanding author.
Press about ‘Audience with the Sovereign’
Gazet van Antwerpen:
‘Audience with the Sovereign’ confirms his extraordinary talent, which already emerged from his debut, the novel ‘Sergeant Bertrand’. It is one of the most wonderful literary works of recent times. Aleksandr Skorobogatov continues, in a modern and convincing way, the great literary tradition of the 19th century orthodox Russia of Dostoyevsky and Gogol.
Vrijzinnige lezer:
A marvelous piece of work that combines the Great Russian traditions with the achievements of the modern European novel.
Nieuw Vlaams Tijdschrift:
You read Skorobogatov in one befuddled breath.
Gazet van Antwerpen:
It would be a lot easier if his name was simply Smith or so, but this is unfortunately not the case: Aleksandr Skorobogatov is a name to remember.