The Slynx

by Tatyana Tolstaya
The Slynx cover
Good Books rating 3.77
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
Technical:
  • ID: 1151
  • Added: 2025-09-27
  • Updated: 2025-09-27
  • ISBN: 9781681371733
  • Publisher: New York Review of Books
  • Published: 2016-10-25
  • Formats: 16
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

Two centuries after a cataclysmic event known as the Blast, society has devolved into a strange and brutal world. Benedikt, a humble transcriber, lives a precarious life under the rule of Fyodor Kuzmich, Glorybe, avoiding the ever-watchful Saniturions who punish any sign of Freethinking. His world is filled with mutations, both physical and societal, and the ever-present threat of the mythical Slynx lurking in the wilderness. The Slynx is a postmodern masterpiece that blends dystopian fantasy with echoes of Russia's literary past, offering a grim yet humorous exploration of human resilience and the power of art. Tatyana Tolstaya's novel is a brilliant and ambiguous work that reimagines the future as a degraded version of the past. It's a tribute to literature's sovereignty and helplessness, a portrait of human inhumanity, and a vision of a world where the future is now. The Slynx is a wild, horripilating amusement park ride that challenges readers to question the nature of society, art, and humanity itself.

Reviews
Cannonball Read · Olga Stein · 2019-04-11
Thoughtful 3.50

The book delves into the intricacies of life after a catastrophe and touches on current Russian societal questions. It's a thought-provoking exploration of survival and identity.

This reviewer appreciated how The Slynx focuses on the nuances of life in a post-apocalyptic society. The novel's exploration of survival and the remnants of civilization is both haunting and insightful. They also noted the book's relevance to contemporary Russian societal issues, adding a layer of depth to the story. While the novel is set in a dystopian future, it resonates with current themes and questions, making it a timely and thought-provoking read.

Quick quotes

    The book spends a lot of time focusing on how life would be lived and what remains.

    It also deals with the current Russian question of how do we survive and identify ourselves.

    It's a thought-provoking exploration of survival and identity.

SFIN Translation · 2017-05-03
Intriguing 3.80

The novel blends dystopian dreariness with absurd humor, creating a unique and engaging world. The characters are cynical and distrustful, adding depth to the story.

This reviewer found The Slynx to be a compelling mix of dystopian elements and absurdist humor. The setting, two hundred years after a catastrophic event, is both bleak and darkly funny. The characters, with their cynical and distrustful nature, add layers to the narrative, making it a wild and entertaining ride. They appreciated how the novel balances the grimness of the post-apocalyptic world with moments of levity, creating a rich and engaging story.

Quick quotes

    The Slynx is a heady mix of dystopian dreariness and absurd hilarity.

    Set two hundred years after civilization ended in an event known as the Blast.

    It's both amusing and frightening, with cynical and distrustful characters.

NYRB · 2007-03-06
Fantastic 4.00

The novel reimagines dystopian fantasy as a thrilling and horripilating amusement park ride. It's a unique and captivating exploration of a post-apocalyptic world.

This review highlights how The Slynx transforms the dystopian genre into an exhilarating and somewhat terrifying experience. The novel's setting, two hundred years after a devastating event, is depicted as a wild and unpredictable journey. The reviewer found the book to be a masterful blend of fantasy and dystopia, making it a standout in the genre. They praised the novel's ability to keep readers on the edge of their seats while exploring profound themes.

Quick quotes

    Tatyana Tolstaya's The Slynx reimagines dystopian fantasy as a wild, horripilating amusement park ride.

    It's a unique and captivating exploration of a post-apocalyptic world.

    The novel's setting is depicted as a wild and unpredictable journey.

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