What should be a book for summer reading - exciting, witty, easy? AiF.ru introduces book novelties, which are pleasant not only to take with you on vacation, but also to tell your friends about them.
Contemporary Russian prose
Vacation is the right time to catch up and read the unread. If you agree with this statement, then pay attention to the current books by contemporary Russian authors.
"Aviator" Evgeny Vodolazkin
Quote from the book: “During the life of a person, nothing is impossible - the impossibility comes only with death. And even then it is not necessary. "
The novel of the winner of the "Big Book" and "Yasnaya Polyana" prize Evgeny Vodolazkin "Aviator" today ranks first in the rating of the most popular books of the genre "fiction". And if you are not yet familiar with the current book of this season or the author who is already called "Russian Umberto Eco", It's time to start reading" Aviator ".
The hero of Vodolazkin's new novel is a man who once woke up in a hospital bed and realized that he did not remember anything. Now he has to rebuild his own life bit by bit. The strangest thing is that the calendar is 1999, and his memories are limited to Petersburg at the beginning of the twentieth century.
"Vera" Alexander Snegirev
Quote from the book: "Having made a choice, you recognize the path, and any path leads in one direction."
This winter, Alexander Snegirev received the most prestigious Russian literary prize "Russian Booker". His novel is a story about a simple woman named Vera and her unsuccessful search for a real man in modern Russia.
Despite the fact that the choice of the Russian Booker laureate was unexpected for many, Snegirev's novel itself was definitely one of the most notable books of 2015. And those who have not yet had time to get acquainted with “Vera”, which reflects Russian reality, should hurry up and form their own opinion about it.
Detectives
If you like solving riddles - the detective genre is what you need. But keep in mind, psychologists say that detective stories, like scientific books, are taken by those who find it difficult to relax even on vacation and need to maintain their usual level of tension.
In the Service of Evil by Robert Galbraith
Quote from the book: "If you stop and look closely, beauty can be found almost everywhere, but when every new day is given with a fight, you somehow forget about this free luxury."
Under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith is none other than the author of the cult Harry Potter saga Joanne Rowling.In the Service of Evil is her third book and the final installment in a series about private detective Cormoran Strike. The "Harry Potter mom" herself admits that "In the Service of Evil" is the only work that causes her the worst nightmares (in the process of working on the manuscript, Rowling had to re-read a bunch of police reports and stories about serial killers).
The adventures in "Service of Evil" begin with the fact that Strike's assistant Robin receives a parcel with a severed female leg. Now the detectives have to guess the name of the terrible criminal.
"Lontano" Jean-Christophe Granger
Quote from the book: “It is only in the movies that the wife of a billionaire sleeps with a policeman - heroic and low-paid. In real life, she prefers to stay by her pool. "
The book "Lontano" by the French journalist and writer Jean-Christophe Granger is one of the most popular on the Russian market today. And the secret is not even in the name of the famous writer and journalist or in his regalia, but in the fact that the author, as usual, came up with a top-notch thriller with a complex and exciting intrigue.
This time, in the center of the detective plot, the family of the chief of the French police, on which impudent attacks are made. Which criminal is operating in France and why the blows fall on the family of the number one policeman is not so easy to guess, because Granger is famous for keeping his readers in suspense until the very last page.
Memoirs and biographies
It has long been proven that reading memoirs and biographies satisfies not only people's interest in peeping through the keyhole, but also secret narcissism (we all involuntarily look for ideal images of ourselves or our loved ones in great people).
"Jackie Chan. I'm happy "Jackie Chan, Mo Zhu
Quote from the book: “I - a common personwho has the courage to do something unusual. "
This sincere book will be of interest not only to fans of Chan's talent, but also to everyone who likes works about brave peoplewho are not afraid to make and correct their own mistakes.
"Chicken broth for the soul: 101 best story»Canfield Jack, Hansen Mark Victor, Newmark Amy
Quote from the book: "If you need to cut down a tree with an ax, and you hit it with five strong blows every day, over time, even the largest tree will fall to the ground."
In Russian bookstores the sale of the most anticipated summer series "Chicken Broth" starts. Interestingly, in 1993 no one wanted to publish this collection of small real life stories, and by 2016, the book, which was rejected by 144 publishers, had become one of the most successful projects in the history of book publishing.
The collection "Chicken Soup for the Soul: 101 Best Stories" is not so called by chance - it contains hundreds of poignant stories that can heal wounds and strengthen the spirit. The authors introduce readers to the most unexpected heroes, among them a failed actress who finds true happiness after learning that she has cancer; the most beautiful girl in town who falls in love with a hunchback after just two phrases and a 13-year-old girl who sold 45,526 boxes of cookies to make her mother's dream come true.
Romance novels
The fashion for novels in the Fifty Shades of Gray format has finally passed, it's time to look for new books and discover the names of authors you don't know yet.
"After You" by Jojo Moyes
Quote from the book: "I doubt that happiness is exactly the thing that can be earned."
At the end of 2015, a sequel to the world bestseller "See you" was published in Russia, which still remains the leader in bookstore sales in the country. Jojo Moyes' new book "After You" tells about what happened to the main character of the saga Lou Clark after the death of her lover.
As Moyes herself admitted, she was not going to write a sequel, but the work on the script for the film adaptation and the endless number of letters asking how Lou's future life was, did not allow her to forget the heroes of the popular novel.
"Sorry ..." Janusz Wisniewski
Quote from the book: "Some things remain in memory and evoke corresponding associations only when they are correctly named."
One of the most popular writers in modern Poland and the author of one of the most reprinted love novels, Loneliness on the Net, has written a poignant new story. "I'm sorry ..." Janusz Vishnevsky is told from the perspective of a man who suddenly discovered his wife's betrayal. A man cannot forgive betrayal and becomes obsessed with a thirst for revenge.
It seems that this fantastic story is just a fiction of the author, but in fact the book is based on real events that took place in the early 1990s in Krakow: the popular jazz singer Andrzej Zaucha and his companion Zuzanna Lesniak were shot by their jealous husband. Vishnevsky not only retells this tragic story, he carefully examines the feelings of the heroes.
Inga Mayakovskaya
Reading time: 13 minutes
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The most popular books on the planet are, of course, the Bible and the Koran, the number of reprints of which is impossible to count. But in our ranking of the most read books we will not include religious literature.
To your attention - TOP-20 book bestsellers: masterpieces fictionwhich became the best-selling in the whole world.
Released in 1997.
A series of fascinating fairy tales about the young wizard Harry has become the most popular in the world, and not only among children.
Circulation of books translated into 67 languages \u200b\u200bis breaking records in the world book market: more than 400 million books were bought by Hogwarts fans in the first 11 years after the book was published.
The sensational series of books also became the basis for the films of the same name, after the appearance of which they significantly arrived in the regiment of Harry Potter fans.
Have you read about Harry to your children yet? It's time to fill this gap!
Released in 1954.
No less popular than about Harry Potter, a series of books (or rather a large book of 3 parts) about the fairy-tale ring of omnipotence has conquered many people (note - the circulation has already exceeded 500 million copies). The world of hobbits and gnomes, the terrible Mordor and the eye of Sauron, Frodo and Gandalf - perhaps there are practically no people who would not have heard of them.
Films based on the books became a pleasant surprise for Tolkien's fans, although it is, of course, impossible to replace the writer's books, even if they are of high quality, with screen versions.
It is worth noting that Tolkien's first book about the hobbits also sold a solid circulation - more than 100 million. This background to the main books ("The Hobbit or There and Back") is listened to and read by children who have not yet grown to the trilogy.
One of the cult books of the 20th century definitely deserves its honorable 2nd place.
Released in 1943.
How to tell about the most difficult things that are accessible and simple? Exupery knew how, answering the most pressing questions in his book, which instantly gained popularity immediately after its first publication.
In addition to the most amazing fairy tale, the author presented the world with his illustrations, which are in various interpretations, but are still present in various editions of the book - by the way, translated into 100 languages \u200b\u200band sold over 200 million copies.
Released in 2003.
Just a few years after the release of this novel, the circulation "exceeded" 81 million copies. Bestselling book translated into 44 languages \u200b\u200band successfully filmed. No other book written in the same genre of thriller with an intellectual bias has gained after such popularity.
Released in 1988.
A novel, understandable to any generation, and necessary for everyone. A book that will be the perfect springboard for new world self-development. A cure for depression and wind in the back for everyone who lacks the courage to move forward.
One of the best-selling novels, with circulation over the millions. A fairy tale-parable about striving for your dream, published in 117 countries and written in an accessible language.
The novel "Alchemist" is among the most important
Released in 1996.
King's acclaimed novel bypassed many literary bestsellers in popularity. The story of the death row, which is being led by former, already aged warden Paul, brought many readers to tears.
The book was filmed in 1999, and the film with Tom Hanks in the title role to this day occupies a leading position in the ranking of the best.
A 100% immersive novel.
Released in 1936.
A screened novel, the name of which is familiar to readers of almost any country. An amazing book about love (as well as friendship, devotion, betrayal ...) that happened in the background civil war in USA.
Worldwide love of readers and 8 Oscars for film adaptation, more than 50,000 copies sold on the first day of the novel's release, 31 reprints and more than 40 million copies (however, this number is constantly growing).
If you have not yet had time to enjoy this literary masterpiece, do not deny yourself the pleasure - time will not pass in vain.
The novel "Gone with the Wind" is one of
Released in 1940.
This fantasy novel could not be filmed for a long time. “As if the dark forces were in the way,” - as the participants in the failed film adaptations told later. Until the moment when Bortko got down to business.
A novel that does not need advertising at all, and which has conquered the whole world.
A love story, a visual aid about human vices, a philosophical novel - everyone decides for himself what this book will become for him.
Released in 1936.
There are three of them. Three friends who are united by a common front-line past. Comrades who were thrown into the jaws of world wars, like other youth.
But, despite the ghosts of the past and the post-war crisis, you need to find your own way and fight for what is dear.
A novel filmed in 1938.
Released in 1890.
The novel was filmed twice, in 1945 and in 2009, but for all the beauty of the films, of course, they could not compare with the book.
"The Portrait of Dorian Gray" - among
Release year: 1960th.
One of the world's most famous books on the Holocaust. The book was first published in Holland, where a 2 year old Jewish girl wrote her memoirs during the German occupation.
Today, this book, translated into 17 languages \u200b\u200band sold in millions of copies, is considered one of the most popular in the world.
You won't find the literary smoothness of a venerable writer here - it's just a diary written by the hand of an ordinary 13-year-old girl whose childhood ended very quickly.
Release year: 1951st.
The boy Holden is only 16, he is a classic "goof" and a dreamer with a big heart.
A story for which there are no boundaries of time - as a reflection of tens of thousands of lives of young girls and boys, free from frames, still able to dream and not noticing the close edge of the abyss.
Release year: 2001
A modern novel on the burning topic of human loneliness in the Internet age.
Is it possible to experience the same vivid emotions from falling in love on the web, as in reality? How deceiving are these feelings? And what happens then when you decide to meet in real life?
The book, which has become a bestseller, and which so far has not been surpassed in popularity by any novel with a similar theme.
Release year: 1813th.
A true classic, timeless.
Worldwide famous work about strong womanabsolutely free from prejudices, stereotypes and even poverty. Elite prose, which has become not only the classics of love literature, but also a whole life lived for readers - atmospheric, sensual and relevant for all times.
Released in 1964.
The book, deservedly considered the pinnacle of the authors' creativity.
Psychological fiction, from which even those readers who have not yet had time to get acquainted with the work of the Strugatskys are immediately delighted.
Released in 1925.
Sometimes it's still better (and calmer) if dreams remain unfulfilled ...
The book is about love and dreams, about the times of dry law and post-war rapid enrichment, fashionable jazz and capital, amassed not in the most honest way.
A successfully filmed novel in which the author painfully and sensitively described his own love.
1984
Released in 1949.
Heavy, but super-popular grotesque novel about three powers, constantly fighting (traditionally) for territory.
A book full of hate and fears associated with totalitarianism. Control over people, over their thoughts and feelings, over desires, control over the mind and denial of any emotions and manifestations of freedom. Total lack of freedom, more terrible than which, according to the author, there is nothing ...
Released in 1955.
It was from this scandalous book that fame came to the author.
Few people know, but the events described in the novel really took place back in 1948, in the United States.
Despite the contradiction in which the “disgusting plot” and the aestheticism of the whole novel enter, it still attracts and attracts readers.
Released in 1865.
Who would have thought that this work was created by the author so long ago - in 1865.
The book, which has been at the top of the popularity charts for one and a half hundred years, has sold (and continues!) Around the world in millions of copies.
"Classics of Postmodernism" - this is how "Alice" was described in the list of the best science fiction books.
Released in 1791.
A gripping novel by a Chinese, world famous author about 3 generations of the aristocratic Jia family.
A book with a clear storyline, elements of the author's autobiography, supernatural incidents, intrigue and love lines.
A true literary masterpiece with a circulation of over 100 million copies.
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To make it easier for you now and in the future to find a book "to suit your mood", we started making monthly collections interesting books for every taste.
They may contain literature of various genres, published both 10 days and ten years ago. It is not a fact that you will meet record-breaking sales here (there is no need to wait for “Fifty Shades of Gray”), because these reviews will not be done by a store that has a goal of “getting away with it”, but by an enthusiastic reader who loves to write about books.
“There will never be anything in this section that I didn’t like (at least in evaluating the books, I’ll try to be frank), nor will it contain reviews of books that I have not read. But objectivity, perhaps, is not particularly worth waiting for, because all markers are different in taste and color, and lists of books are not recommended by any important government bodies.
Sometimes this heading will be thematic, sometimes just a list of books read during the month that I am preparing this text, there are no rules - only books. And one more small introductory point: I will write quite a lot about some books, about some less, but this absolutely does not mean either the quality or the volume of the book, but simply about how the letters in words were formed personally by me".
All the books you love were published decades, or even centuries ago, but are you afraid to tackle something modern because you don't want to be disappointed?
Then to your attention - a selection of modern books that you should definitely include in your personal library!
Ann Tyler, Spool of Blue Thread
This is a family saga of three generations of the Whitshank family, told exactly the opposite: from end to beginning.
A story connected with the family home, the local way of life, customs, customs, habits, with a constant desire to break out of the boundaries of what surrounds.
Like any family, the Whitshenkov are united by joy, laughter, holidays, as well as grief, misunderstandings, conflicts and, of course, secrets and family secrets.
Tyler writes measuredly, in detail, showing simple life without fancy, and wins not with a fascinating plot, but with an honest, quiet, as if in a whisper, story.
John Thorne, J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
The long-awaited sequel to the Harry Potter saga is a play staged in London.
Do not expect a repetition of a fairy tale from childhood: the style, manner of presentation, plot construction - everything is different. But this is such a "hello" from the past, thanks to which you plunge into the world of childhood and adolescence for several hours, remembering a little half-forgotten heroes and plunging with interest into their new adventures.
19 years have passed since the last events described by J.K. Rowling, and already the children of the main characters are the main characters of the story, forming the most unexpected alliances.
Narine Abgaryan - "Zulali"
These are simple stories about life, about Berd, about Armenia, about people, about recipes, about air, about parables ... Narine Abgaryan invariably it turns out to create something amazing and completely beyond the ordinary description.
So "Zulali" has absorbed all the love, all the tenderness, the national flavor and simple human joys and sorrows.
Tears welling up when reading, but a bright smile remains on your face, and you yourself somehow especially feel life.
Khaled Hosseini - "The Wind Runner"
Khaled Hosseini's gripping novel is largely autobiographical. He tells about the boy's life in pre-war Kabul and his journey to the United States.
Children's life is not yet overshadowed by war, but it contains its own troubles and joys. For example, the father, as it seems to the boy, does not love him enough and pays more attention to the servant's son. And he himself does not grow up as a worthy successor of the family, but as a coward and weak in character. But is it really so?
A novel about Afghanistan, about nationalism, about friendship, about childhood, about the vicissitudes of fate. This is another world, sometimes incomprehensible, but existing in real time, very close to us, which sometimes becomes creepy ...
David Mitchell - The Hungry House
Invisible from the street, a quiet side street in the center of London, a small black iron door, which not everyone will notice, let alone be able to open, and behind it is a huge Victorian house, which is not clear how it fit there.
All this is the beginning of a chilling story, from which it is simply impossible to break away from it until the last page is turned.
Time passes, people change, but after the cycle the house gets its sacrifice every time. Will it last forever? You can only find out by reading a book.
Stephen King called The Hungry House "rare, great thing"! And it is impossible not to agree with him.
Dina Rubina - "Babi Wind"
The new book by Dina Rubina is beautiful, however, as always. The tale, which fits into 317 pages, tells about the fate of a woman in exile. Ordinary, perhaps, absolutely any woman, in whose life there was an indelibly bright childhood, great love, unbearable pain, and now only work, hard, exhausting, sometimes disgusting work, but this "diary" that she keeps for her "writer" ...
And, of course, in her life there was and remains freedom, freedom of flight, balloons and incredible love for the sky, she just forgot a little about it ...
Rubina's amazingly figurative language makes us not only empathize with the characters, but also feel completely immersed in the story.
Donna Tart - "The Goldfinch"
A dashingly twisted plot plunges you into a completely unreal jungle of narration: there are explosions, and murders, and drugs, and childhood problems. But this is 828 pages, and therefore you are rocking on the waves of text, plunging into incredibly beautiful and naturalistic images.
Donna Tart is, first of all, language and enjoyment of the very process of reading, even if the story is about a drug addiction. True, the immersion in it occurs so sharply and deeply that one wants to quickly break through it.
But when the turn of the text about art comes, the chapters want to stretch indefinitely ...
The world-famous picture runs like a red thread through the entire novel and the life of the protagonist, but it is impossible to say for sure that this is a curse or a guiding thread.
The book is about a lot and is simply worth reading for yourself.
Rune Belsvik - Prostodursen
The stories of a modern Norwegian writer about Prostodursen and his friends are gaining popularity. Simple stories about the simple things that are so necessary in childhood to distinguish good from evil, friendship from pretense. These books teach how to live and be friends, and also answer the questions why the sky is blue, the grass is green and the wind blows. And most importantly: they talk about the fact that each person is individual and has the right to his own life.
I am me, this is me, this is me
Here I am, who I am.
Others are completely different
Who are they, who are they.
Each of us is bigger than it seems
There is something hiding in each of us.
Mikhail Shishkin - "Coat with a strap"
Not the main book of Shishkin, but in the absence of his new books "Coat with a strap" is a breath of fresh air for fans of the author's work.
On the pages of the book, you can find sketches from life, and historical chronicles, and journalistic investigations. But all these seemingly incompatible texts have one thing in common - the author's unique style. Mikhail Shishkin remains true to himself and, like no one else, precisely defines his prose: “The writer has no choice but to perform a miracle and resurrect dead words, to make them alive again. And only with these revived words will it be possible to talk about love. For me, the only way to resurrect words is to spell it wrong. I sniff at every phrase, and if it smacks of the textbook “Speak and Write Correctly”, I cross it out. To say something right is to say nothing. "
This section contains editions of books by authors who wrote at the end of the 20th century and who are starting or continuing to write in the last decade. Here are collected writers of different styles and themes, representing contemporary foreign and Russian prose. At the same time, the events that are being narrated do not always take place in our days. The Eksmo catalog contains stories, novels and novellas, the action of which takes place in the historical past, and more often than not, it is located no further than a hundred years away.
In the narratives, various traditions and genres are sometimes intricately intertwined: classical - like a parenting novel or a rogue story, and innovative, such as a metaromaniac. Quite often the presence of anachronisms and elements in the form of fantasies, dreams, immersions in other worlds. And, of course, many writers are faithful to simple and understandable large and small prose forms, which they fill with parable, philosophical or memoir-biographical content. Among the famous and popular authors should be named Alexandra Marinina, Dina Rubina, Viktor Pelevin, Lyudmila Petrushevskaya, Vasily Aksenov, Daniel Keyes, Haruki Murakami, Fannie Flagg, Guillaume Musso.
A good book is much more than a time killer. Wanting to get acquainted with unusual worlds, mysterious and powerful characters and incredible adventures, the reader should take a closer look at the works of the most popular contemporary writers. Below are the brightest and most famous works of the last decades - top 10 the best modern books!
1.111/22/63 (Stephen King)
Topping our list of the best modern books is Stephen King's science fiction novel 11/22/63. The first publication of the work took place in 2011.
The assassination of JF Kennedy has become one of the most powerful tragedies in American society. A popular politician was shot dead during a huge parade in front of thousands of Americans. Could the President have been saved? Surprisingly, the answer to this question has to be learned by a simple teacher! Jake Epping is an ordinary resident of a small town who works at a school and is not much different from thousands of his fellow citizens. However, by the will of fate, it is he who gets the chance to go through the time portal, which is located in the back room of the cafe with his longtime friend Al. The owner of the device has long wanted to find Kennedy's killer, but illness upset all plans, so Jake must replace him! Go back straight to the 60s, live there for several years, figure out the future executioner and stop him on the day of a terrible tragedy! Will he be able to change the course of history and generally go back?
2. American Gods (Neil Gaiman)
American Gods is one of the best modern fantasy books written by English writer Neil Gaiman in 2001.
America. A haven for a huge number of migrants from all over the world. In search of a better life, people went to an unknown continent, hoping to settle there and find the long-awaited happiness. However, they did not travel alone: \u200b\u200beach visiting guest brought with him a piece of their native culture. Gods, beliefs, rituals, customs - these are the true baggage of immigrants! Will different deities be able to get along together and what does such a neighborhood promise? Shadow will have to find out, the protagonist, who has recently been released from prison. Once free, he finds himself straight into a series of strange events and mysterious crimes that need to be unraveled.
3. The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini)
Closes the top three best book contemporary American writer Khaled Hosseini. The work was born in 2003.
What is real friendship? It is sometimes very difficult for adults to answer this question. Much easier for children. Amir and Hassan are two completely different boys who are bound by true friendship. Only one of them is an aristocrat, and the other is a poor servant! Coming from different social backgrounds, they do not pay attention to the differences that are so important to adults. Playing, joking, sharing secrets and impressions, experiencing failures and knowing grief, the boys gradually mature, and their friendship only grows stronger. One day, serious changes are coming in the country, which will test their strength and scatter friends on different sides. Can childhood friendship survive?
4. A Song of Ice and Fire (George Martin)
A Song of Ice and Fire is one of the most famous and best contemporary fantasy books. This is a whole series of works, consisting of five already published volumes. Two more books in the project. The first publication took place in 1996. The book gained particular popularity after the release of the HBO TV series Game of Thrones based on it.
A unique fantasy world is inhabited by far from good fairies and funny gnomes. This is the world of several powerful powers that are desperately fighting for their best. Their goal is the throne of Westeros. Their means are weapons, intrigue, murder and mutiny. The palace of Verteros is filled with vile and greedy people who are eager to seize the throne at any cost. There is no longer any place for honesty and nobility. By arranging serious intrigues and organizing coups, the conspirators will do everything to undermine the situation in the kingdom. However, one should be afraid not only of them, because the cunning rulers of neighboring states are also not averse to grabbing a “tidbit” during a cruel and blind turmoil! A real war for power is coming, ready to bury the old order forever.
5. The house in which ... (Mariam Petrosyan)
“The House In Which…” is an interesting modern science fiction novel by the Armenian writer Mariam Petrosyan, published in 2009.
There is a boarding house for abandoned children on the edge of the city. This old and gray place seems very inhospitable and gloomy, but everything is not so simple ... Once inside, a person can discover a new, unusual world in which there is more kindness and light than on the bright city streets. The pupils of the house are divided into groups, each of which has its own leader. There are no names and surnames here - only bright nicknames. There is a lot of unknown and very little familiar. These are miniature societies with their vices and virtues. Children get to know the world, growing up, changing and trying to find their place in it.
6. The Book Thief (Markus Zuzak)
The Book Thief is a captivating contemporary novel by an Australian writer, written in 2006.
Liesel Meminger is a little German girl whose childhood fell on a truly monstrous time. In 1939, the Nazi regime reached its zenith, destroying the rebellious and preparing to subjugate the world. Horror, murder, robbery and terror became the daily companions of the lives of those who did not suit new government... After the death of her husband, Frau Meminger moved, trying to find a more peaceful corner for her daughter. But in vain ... Looking around, Liesel sees the ongoing chaos through the eyes of an innocent child who does not understand this cruel and strange world of adults. Growing up quickly, she has to learn and rethink a lot.
7. Gone Girl (Gillian Flynn)
Gone Girl is one of the best contemporary thriller books. The work was published in 2012 and became the basis for the film of the same name.
How hard it can be to recognize a person, even if you have lived with him for many years! An unusual incident turns the fate of the protagonist when his wife suddenly disappears. During the tumultuous celebration of their wedding anniversary, the woman mysteriously disappears. The arriving police find blood and traces of a struggle, deciding that the man had killed his wife and hid her body. Now the confused man has to solve this incredible puzzle himself. Who knows, maybe the clue will turn out to be even more monstrous than the disappearance itself ...
8. Cloud Atlas (David Mitchell)
The novel "Cloud Atlas" was written in 2004 by an English writer. Its plot is a complex interweaving of stories and destinies that, at first glance, do not connect anything. American lawyer stranded on a tropical island while repairing a ship; a young English musician forced to trade in music and body in order to earn a piece of bread; a brave Californian journalist fighting against a powerful corporation; a London publisher facing criminals after another best-selling book; a clone from a Korean anti-utopia and a Hawaiian old man watching the decline of human civilization. All events and characters go through a difficult path at different times, gradually intertwining together.
9. When I Was Real (Tom McCarthy)
Tom McCarthy's When I Was Real continues our top 10 best contemporary books.
A sudden catastrophe changed the life of a young man, erasing his past. He finds himself in a prolonged coma, from which he, fortunately, manages to get out. But such a long process did not pass without leaving a trace: now he needs to learn to live anew. Walk, move, work with your hands and speak. All past life comes in the form of vague memories, and the hero endlessly wishes to return himself to his former self. Moreover, some large corporation is ready to pay him a lot of money in order to keep the cause of the incident a secret. How are they related? What happened that day? And how do you become completely the same?
10. Anathem (Neil Stevenson)
And the top ten is completed by the modern science fiction book "Anathem", written by American writer Neil Stevenson in 2008.
Arb is a distant and mysterious planet resembling Earth. People who worship science live here. A science that completely replaced religion and managed to split society into two irreconcilable camps. The keepers of science are monks who were once scientists. They once worked and created for the benefit of progress, but their work led to something terrible. Now the monks live in a monastery, shutting themselves off from the outside, secular world. Their life is simple, calm and measured, but once every ten years a special date comes - the day when the two sides can switch places. Monks will see external world, and secular people will be able to join the monastic life and worldview. Once such a change led to dire consequences, and now the two sides need to unite to prevent the impending disaster!