Mihhail Pavlovič Šiškin Ordre des livres (chronologique)

A passionate, eye-opening account of a state entangled in a complex and bloody past, as well as a love letter to a conflicted country.

Fate sends two star-crossed lovers, Sasha and Volodenka, on two separate journeys across space and time. Sasha finds herself as a young woman in a time not far from the present day. Volodenka finds himself as a young soldier in a horrific conflict at the turn of the twentieth century. Yet, despite their cosmic schism, their letters still reach one another; as he helps her to come to terms with life and she helps him to come to terms with death. Half male, half female; half exploration of the physical and the immediate, half meditation on the intangible and the infinite, The Light and the Dark is a literary feat as balanced and beautiful as it is prodigious and profound.

This debut novel introduces readers to the work of Russia's leading contemporary author, now available in English for the first time. It promises a unique perspective and rich storytelling that reflects the complexities of modern Russian life and culture. The narrative explores profound themes and character dynamics, showcasing the author's distinctive voice and literary prowess.