The book is really clever in terms of structure, but the humour is the linchpin in whether or not you like it. I didn't find the humour that funny, so I found it hard to wade through. I think this is a smart satire of history and its abuses, so I can see assigning it in a class, but I don't think I can see myself coming back to it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for honest feedback

Thank you to Plough Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy of A HISTORY OF THE ISLAND.

Lyric writing. It feels as if I am watching a classic movie from the mid 20th century. I liked the book.

Recommended for Religious Scholars.

"A History of the Island" is a brilliantly satirical and thought-provoking novel by Eugene Vodolazkin, a renowned novelist and medieval literature scholar. In this captivating narrative, Vodolazkin weaves a clever tapestry that critiques Western civilization and the entirety of history itself. The story revolves around a fictional island whose chronicles span from medieval times to the modern era, offering a witty commentary on the cycles of power, betrayals, wars, pandemics, and revolutions that mark the course of human history.

Vodolazkin's storytelling prowess is on full display as the monastic chroniclers present the island's history, while a hidden, "true" history is concealed for future generations. This duality adds depth and intrigue to the narrative, leaving readers to question the veracity of historical accounts and the motives behind their manipulation. The inclusion of an elderly royal couple, Prince Parfeny and Princess Ksenia, who have miraculously lived for 347 years, brings an element of mystery and reflection on the passage of time. Their keen insights into their people's illusions and delusions serve as a lens through which the reader contemplates the eternal struggle between progress and stagnation.

"A History of the Island" is not merely a conventional history; it's a multidimensional exploration of human folly, ambition, and the ever-present search for meaning. With its sharp wit, astute observations, and intertwining layers of narrative, Vodolazkin's novel is a must-read for those who seek to delve into the complexities of history and the enigmatic interplay between the past, present, and future.

Thank you #NetGalley for an advance copy #AHistoryoftheIsland

This took me a long time to read, not because I didn't like it but because, like non-fiction book history, it unwound slowly. Even as it finally moved towards the climax, there was still a sense that the book is finished as the island will go on. It took a while for me to actually connect with the two supranaturally long-lived main characters, Parfeny and Ksenia, who for many years ruled the island. Their comments enliven the historical details, and their lives frame the history of the island. Not for everyone, those people who like slow, thoughtful fiction which has may levels will like this book.

Fictionalized history of an unnamed island written as if initially composed by a monk of the medieval age and moving forward in time up to somewhere near present day. The two original rulers of the island, Princess Ksenia and Prince Parfeny, live for 347 years. A prophesy ties the island’s welfare to these two leaders. Other rulers come and go, some by election, a few by force, others by birthright. Later, we find Parfeny and Ksenia in Paris where they are consultants to a French producer who is creating a film based on their lives.

The manuscript documenting the island’s history is modified over time by various scribes based on instructions from the leader du jour. This history includes wars, revolutions, and social changes. Religion plays a role, as does immigration and giant companies that want to harvest the island’s natural resources, generally with the assistance of the country’s current leader (who stands to gain riches).

It occasionally feels repetitious (probably intentionally), but the social commentary on world politics, corruption, greed, abuse of power, and ignoring lessons from history is unmistakable. It is filled with irony and subtle humor. The author employs touches of magical realism, which work well here, adding to the feeling of reading a fable or myth. The author is a wonderful storyteller and this is an unusual and creative work. This is the second book by Vodolozkin that I have read. I can also recommend Laurus.

In a History of the Island, Vodolazkin puts his favorite subject front and center, the nature of time itself. Set off the coast of France in an unnamed island nation this fictional metahistory-cum-novel covers centuries of history through political upheaval, changing faith, and the near-immortal couple that lives through (almost) it all. (That reads like a spoiler, but they aren't alive at the beginning, thus, almost).

The form of the novel is a handwritten history (passed down by a series of scribes) being footnoted and commented upon by Prince Parfeny and Princess Ksenia, the elderly former royal couple who have lived through several centuries of the dramatic history. Through his use of single scribes for long periods of history, Vodolazkin shows how history can be sculpted to fit different needs and the way singular viewpoints can change a nation's understanding of itself.

Interspersed with a more modern story of the prince and princess and their quest for a prophecy that will alter the future of the island, the book skillfully comments on progress and faith as the Island barrels forward into the modern world.

This is an interesting and original 'novel', that sets out to describe the entire history of a fictional island, probably located somewhere in the Black Sea.

Inevitably, by covering all centuries in one volume the big risk is that it becomes an insufferable sequence of monarchs coming and going. Vodolazkin attempts to address this by making characters live for many centuries, which is perfectly possible because in its essence time is purely individual. And so we have a royal couple, Parfeny and Ksenia, who are also co-narrators and direct witnesses of the history of the island, that brings personality and life to the story.

There are interesting thoughts on warfare, progress and the subjectivity of written history, but overall I was left with the question what the author had in mind with this book (unlike Orhan Pamuk who also invents an island in this geographical area but created a more lively and detailed story around it by focus on just 20 years or so).

What I also missed was a sense of humour sparkling the narrative...there are attempts, but I found myself repeatedly wishing to put the script in the hands of Daniel Kehlmann or Laurent Binet and sprinkle over some of their magic.

Part of not enjoying this too much may also have been the fact that I didn't read Laurus (on my tbr since forever), as the description says this can be seen as a coda to that book.

I am still processing this one and expect to be for a while. The Island is of course fictitious, but you keep trying to pin it on something familiar. Of course it doesn't fit because this is bigger, and smaller, than any one nation's history. The translator has done wonderfully with maintaining the cadence, tone, and style of premodern chroniclers throughout, which adds to the almost dream-like quality. Yet it perfectly parallels the trends and issues in the broad swath of history it covers.

If you need concrete "realism," then this book is not for you. If you can untether and float among the symbols while examining the real, then you should pick this up and enjoy the ride! It helps if you know your history

this was a very bizarre read but i thoroughly enjoyed it. in the spirit of m. e. saltykov-schedrin's "the history of a town," this was a well-written, thematically impactful satire. at times the prose was difficult to follow, but that may be a result of formatting in the arc and hopefully it was resolved in the final publication. witty and darkly humorous, anyone who enjoys historical satire should give this a try!

I am still digesting this book. Mr. Vodolazkin has written a not so thinly disguised history of everywhere. This takes place on an island over hundreds of years and one can see the pattern of the idiocy and greed and stupidity of men (and women) that takes place pretty much everywhere.

This was not a quick read for me because it actually made me think and that isn't usually my goal when I escape into literature. Let those who have eyes see.

Thank you Plough Publishing and NetGalley for the early read.

This was a wonderful departure for me - a translated work from Russian - that was a delight to read. Its structure is a record of events documented by monks of a seemingly small island country. The volumes are grouped by the rulers/leaders of the time and the reader meets some wonderfully imagined characters who have centuries-long life spans akin to Old Testament Biblical figures. The highlights for me was the clever retelling of the events, politics, and the machinations which mimic the history of Russia from the Middle Ages into the modern era. I’m not a scholar and there’s no doubt that I missed a lot; however, I learned a great deal – taking notes and googling additional information as I read along when I noticed familiar dates and references. (Yes, I can be a bit nerdy).

The characters are true to the times in which they lived and the roles they assumed – many are not particularly likable; which (loosely) mimics their real-world counterparts’ presumed personalities, actions, and points of view; allowing the reader to understand their method of ruling, witness the morphing of governments (dictatorships/authoritarianism, communism, etc.), observe the role/influence of religion, and gasp their missteps and misuse of power that spawn corruption, scandal, and unforgettable revolutions and downfalls.

For me, I loved the originality and freshness applied to deliver such an informative look at a part of history in which I was vaguely familiar. I’ll definitely pick up his earlier works and look forward to upcoming releases.

Thanks to Plough Publishing and NetGalley for an opportunity to review.

I did not finish this book. After reading into it a while, I realized I did not understand much of anything going on. It was a very hard read. The whole Russian culture is foreign to me. I do not know enough of it to make sense of what the author was trying to do. It was just too difficult and I should have never agreed to review it. I thought I knew what a parody would be like and I thought the novel would be about Russia as a nation, not an imaginary location.
So sorry.

Very interesting book how these two characters move through time and space through the years. P a r f y was the king and the queen was k s t and I a. They take this book when they had primitive ideas with this monk and how it moved through the times. They would tell the story didn't the end of it? They had like little blips and how this person felt about it. And the island had a lot of problems but they embraced technology. Between north and south. Then the oil came in much later and this caused a lot of problems as well. So then they had a revolution to try to figure this out it kind of reminded me of uganda or sudan first of all. I know it's an island but you can take these metaphors implying to different things. I think it was interesting how they could put all this together and it was like if like tha tell how things move through time and space. This writer is amazing because he kept the character's focus even when they were changing with the times.

Written by various monks, this fictional history is the several-century chronicle, minus the entries for the 150-year foreign occupation subsequently burned once foreign forces left, of an island nation. The chronicle is being published for the first time and annotated by the long-time deposed monarchs, Parfeny and Ksenia, who happen to be exceptionally long-lived (347 years as of publication). Contemporaneously, a famous filmmaker is making a movie about their lives. The history is a droll account of the succession of rulers who, particularly subsequent to the revolutionary overthrow of Parfeny and Ksenia, become more and more absurd in their so-called leadership. This political satire is an entertaining and thoughtful critique of political and social change. There are religious undertones, but one can take them however one desires.


I received an ARC from Plough Publishing House in exchange for an honest review.

My relationship with the Russian literature is a sort of love-hate. I love this book that mixes genre and tells the story of a fictional island.
The author is an excellent storyteller and there's plenty of stories and details.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

A History of the Island
By Eugene Vodolazkin

Vodolazkin is a Russian novelist and medieval scholar. He has received many awards for his previous works, and doubtless will for this book as well. The story is about a non-existent Island – but it is obviously symbolic of his homeland, which has historically separated itself from the European continent of which it is a part.

The story revolves around Prince Parfeny and Princess Ksenia and a prophecy that the welfare of the Island's people is entwined with the survival of this couple. They appear to represent guardian angels of the Island.

The royal couple do, in fact, live to the age of 347 years. During their long lives they witness the rise and fall of many different leaders; wars; treachery; the endless struggle for power. In fact this history seems to parallel the actual history of Russia and its people. As each new dominant power rises up, it seeks to wipe out the memory of things past and focus only on its ideas for the future. But as history has taught us, if we do not learn from the past we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes.

This book is not an easy read. It is the product of a culture very different from ours. It is, however, a fascinating glimpse into the Russian mindset. For that alone it is well worth reading.

A History of the Island is a book that seems to be a combination of different genres that makes for some difficult reading. Though by diction, the book is not difficult to read, the storyline, the way the book was written and in the end, the point the author was trying to relay makes me question even my own choice for reading this book. I do/did understand, well, think I do/did understand the point trying to be made, but if someone reading this does not having certain knowledge of history or politics, there is no way anything can be taken away from reading this book.

“A History of the Island” by: Eugene Vodolazkin

“A History of the Island” is quite literally a history of a made up island. I don’t have much to say about it. It’s basically a fantasy/ history novel. Precognition, religion, good and bad rulers as well as the existence of a secret history written to preserve the truth as the author sees it all collide in this narrative of multiple voices. It reads akin to a history book. In this year, this happened. In that year a different thing happened. Etc. So the voices speak matter of factly. While it wasn’t my type of book, it wasn’t bad. I think I’d give it 3.5 stars if that were an option. As it is not, I have to give it three stars. It’s not bad, so if it is your type of book do read it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

It's a big, sprawling narrative - but like his previous book Brisbane, it keeps the action rooted in particular characters, While it deals with similarly serious, sad ideas, there's a dry humor that makes the medicine easier to swallow. I haven't read enough Russian literary masters to say how it compares to their work - the huge scale, the tragicomedy, the multifaceted religious vision - but it's an entertaining read nevertheless.