Apocalyptic Realism

Howell's work is intellectually rich and devoid of academic tedium. It is good reading, and above all it throws new light on the Strugatskys for us, the Strugatskys' compatriots. (Vladimir Gopman) This is a well researched and well documented study which brings in a wealth of information, branching, as it does, into related fields of folklore and mythology, utopian literature, social and political studies. It should be of interest to anyone connected with the study of science fiction as a special literary genre as well as to those dealing with futurology, social and political. (Kenneth Knoespel, Georgia Institute of Technology) Yvonne Howell's book goes beyond the bounds of a monograph dedicated to the famous writing team of Boris and Arkady Strugatsky; its main value is in its artful depiction of the Soviet intelligentsia's ethos, which gave rise to the genre of science-fiction-cum-philosophical-tale. (Leo Loseff, Professor of Russian, Dartmouth College) Howell's book is...an important study. (Elana Gomel, Science-Fiction Studies) It is quite heartening to see the publication of this book in the new series on Russian culture launched by Peter Lang...the book is worth reading by anyone whose interest is not so much in the science fiction as in the mentality of the Soviet intelligentsia on the eve of the cataclysmic events that would destroy both the empire system and the culture that they cherished so much. (Dmitry V. Shlapentokh, The Russian Review) Howell's timely interdisciplinary monograph marks an impressive beginning to a new academic series, and as such is greatly to be welcomed. (Arnold McMillin, The Slavonic and East European Review) Howell's book will be useful both for those who seek a deeper understanding of the Strugatskys' work and for those who are interested in Soviet culture of the 60s through the 80s. (Konstantin Kustanovich, Slavic and East European Journal)