The Slynx

by Tatyana Tolstaya
The Slynx cover
Good Books rating 3.89
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 1151
  • Added: 2025-09-27
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • ISBN: 9781681371733
  • Publisher: New York Review of Books
  • Published: 2016-10-25
  • Formats: 16
  • Reviews: 4

Two hundred years after a catastrophic event known as the Blast, Benedikt lives in a world where civilization has crumbled. He works as a transcriber, presenting old books as the words of the new leader, Fyodor Kuzmich, Glorybe. Benedikt's life is a delicate balance between survival and avoiding the Saniturions, who punish any sign of Freethinking, and the mythical Slynx that lurks in the wilderness. /n/n Tatyana Tolstaya's The Slynx is a postmodern literary masterpiece that reimagines dystopian fantasy. The novel is a tribute to art and its complexities, blending echoes of Russia's literary past with a grim vision of the future. It's a work that is both horrifying and humorous, offering a unique perspective on human nature and the resilience of the human spirit.

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.

Letterpress Project · 2017-05-04
thought-provoking 4.25

The book is seen as a social satire, with the Slynx serving as a metaphor for deeper societal issues. The reviewer appreciates the novel's depth and its exploration of Russian attitudes.

The Slynx is a rich tapestry of social commentary, using the dystopian setting to critique Russian societal structures. The reviewer notes how the novel's use of the Slynx as a metaphor adds layers of meaning, making it a thought-provoking read. The exploration of communal life and the impact of the apocalypse on society is both insightful and engaging. The reviewer also highlights the novel's ability to blend humor and bleakness, creating a narrative that is as entertaining as it is intellectually stimulating.

Quick quotes

    Other critics have seen the book as a social satire on Russian attitudes and social or political structures.

    The Slynx itself is a metaphor for deeper societal issues, adding layers of meaning to the narrative.

    The novel's blend of humor and bleakness makes it a compelling read, offering both entertainment and intellectual stimulation.

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.

Appears in Lists