Hard to Be a God

Arkady and Boris Strugatsky are widely known as the greatest Russian writers of science fiction, and their 1963 masterpiece Hard to Be a God is widely considered one of the greatest of their novels. Yet until now the only English version (unavailable for over thirty years) was based on a German translation, and was full of errors, infelicities, and misunderstandings. Now, in a new translation by Olena Bormashenko, whose translation of the authors’ Roadside Picnic has received widespread acclaim, here is the definitive edition of this brilliant work.

It tells the story of Don Rumata, who is sent from Earth to the medieval kingdom of Arkanar, with instructions to observe and to save what he can. Masquerading as an arrogant nobleman, a dueler and a brawler, Don Rumata is never defeated, but can never kill. With his doubt and compassion, and his deep love for a local girl named Kira, Rumata wants to save the kingdom from the machinations of Don Reba, the first minister to the king. But given his orders, what role can he play?

Hard to Be a God has inspired a role-playing video game and two movies, including Aleksei German’s long-awaited swan song History of the Arkanar Massacre. This long overdue translation will reintroduce one of the most profound Soviet-era novels to an eager audience.