Vita Nostra
3.9
Sergey Dyachenko
Marina Dyachenko
The definitive English language translation of the internationally bestselling Russian novel – a brilliant dark fantasy combining psychological suspense, enchantment, and terror that makes us consider human existence in a fresh and provocative way. ‘A book that has the potential to become a modern classic.’ – Lev Grossman, bestselling author of The Magicians Our life is brief . . . Sasha Samokhina has just met Farit Kozhenikov and her life will never be the same again. Whilst on holiday, Sasha is asked by the mysterious Farit to undertake a strange task for him. Reluctantly, she obliges, and is rewarded with a shining golden coin. The more tasks she performs, the more coins Sasha receives until Farit instructs her – against the wishes of her family – to travel to a remote village and use her gold to gain entrance to the Institute of Special Technologies. Sasha quickly discovers this is no ordinary school. The books are impossible to read, the lessons obscure to the point of maddening, and the knowledge itself refuses to be remembered. Despite this, Sasha undergoes changes that defy matter and time; with experiences that are nothing like what she could have dreamed of before... but which are suddenly all she could ever want. But this learning comes at a cost. The school uses terror and coercion to keep students in line: should they transgress at all, their families pay a terrible price... A complex blend of adventure, magic, science, and philosophy, expressed through a distinctly Russian voice, this astonishing story will transport the reader to a place far beyond imagining.
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"I really enjoyed this book. It feels like you are going through Sasha’s metamorphosis alongside her. I feel like this must have been a beast to translate, considering how much of it is about language and very abstract concepts. Still, overall it was clear and evocative but emotional. Unlike many others here, I loved the ending. <br/><br/>I docked a star because some of the sexual violence/coercion early in the book felt really unnecessary (with Lisa most of all, but the part where Sasha basically has to lose her virginity for homework too). If you can stomach that though, and you're interested in a strange cerebral story about a person growing beyond her limit, you might enjoy this."
a
awesome_user_984860
"DNF (made it to part 2)<br/>I don’t think I’m going to rate this one actually. Because it was weird. So weird. And frustrating and every page felt dark and foreboding and I felt like I was sinking as Sasha struggled and I hated the professors but wanted to understand them and know what the hell was going too. Despite all this, I kept reading page after page. I made pretty slow progress considering how long I spent reading, and that’s mostly because this book is so complex and confusing and most times I don’t understand just what exactly the point of it all was. I wondered at first if it was a horror, but I’ll classify it as part “psychological”. I probably would have finished it if I didn’t have to be away from it for a full day. Now I don’t feel like touching it. How so very odd, this book.<br/><br/>Also, it felt like Sasha was staring to lose her mind"
Jan
"I think I’m going to need several years to fully digest this book. I went in expecting dark academia and magic, but I got so much more. The ‘magic’ system is more philosophical than anything, and if you read closely you’ll find it actually makes sense in the real world too. This book was like a spiritual journey for me, and that ending... holy ****. I was confused at first, but the longer I sit on it the more amazed I am at the talent of the authors. Beautiful."
B M
Breanna Matlock