Amatka

by Karin Tidbeck
Amatka cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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  • ID: 7659
  • Added: 2025-12-16
  • Updated: 2025-12-16
  • ISBN: 9781101973950
  • Publisher: Vintage
  • Published: 2017-06-27
  • Reviews: 3

Amatka is a surreal debut novel that explores a world where language has the power to shape reality. The story follows Vanja, an information assistant sent to the austere colony of Amatka, where she quickly realizes that something strange is afoot. People act oddly, and citizens are monitored for signs of subversion. As Vanja falls in love with her housemate, Nina, she prolongs her visit, but her investigation into a growing threat to the colony puts her at tremendous risk. /n/n Karin Tidbeck's Amatka is a captivating exploration of freedom, love, and artistic creation. Set in a world where everyone is suspect and nothing can be taken for granted, the novel delves into the power of language and the fabric of reality. With its beguiling narrative and original concept, Amatka is a standout in the tradition of Margaret Atwood and Ursula K. Le Guin.

Reviews
Reddit - r/Fantasy · Para · 2021-02-26
intriguing 4.00

The atmosphere is gray and depressing, masterfully done. There's a sense of wrongness that intensifies throughout the book.

The reviewer found the atmosphere of the book to be exceptionally well-crafted, describing it as gray and depressing in a way that enhances the narrative. This sense of wrongness is a recurring theme that adds depth and tension, making the reading experience quite immersive. They appreciate how the atmosphere is not just a backdrop but a character in itself, contributing to the overall mood and tone of the story. The reviewer also notes that the book's setting and language play crucial roles in conveying this sense of unease, making it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    The atmosphere of the book is gray and depressing and masterfully done.

    You can feel a sense of wrongness that intensifies with each new page.

    The setting and language play crucial roles in conveying this sense of unease.

SF IN TRANSLATION · 2017-11-13
fascinating 4.50

The novel is strange, compelling, and truly fascinating. It's a mind-bender that leaves a powerful imprint.

The reviewer describes 'Amatka' as a strange and compelling novel that is truly fascinating. They appreciate the book's ability to engage the reader with its unique and thought-provoking narrative. The story is described as a mind-bender that leaves a powerful imprint on the reader, suggesting that it is a book that stays with you long after you've finished reading. The reviewer also notes that the novel's surrealist elements and its exploration of language and reality make it a standout work in contemporary fiction.

Quick quotes

    A strange, compelling, and truly fascinating novel.

    This mind-bender left a powerful imprint on my brain.

    Tidbeck's prose is elegant and dry; jokes don't exactly abound but when they do occur they perfectly complement the setting in their chilly way.

NPR · NPR Staff · 2017-06-27
chilling 4.25

Tidbeck crafts an ending that is both unsettlingly vague and true to the book's internal logic.

The reviewer highlights Tidbeck's skill in crafting an ending that is both unsettlingly vague and true to the book's internal logic. They appreciate how the ending fits perfectly with the rest of the narrative, creating a cohesive and thought-provoking reading experience. The reviewer also notes that the book's exploration of post-truth reality and its chilling portrayal of a warped world make it a compelling read. They suggest that the book's themes and ideas will resonate with readers long after they've finished the story.

Quick quotes

    Tidbeck triumphs at crafting an ending that's both unsettlingly vague and unerringly true to the warped internal logic of her world.

    A warped and chilling portrait of post-truth reality.

    The book's themes and ideas will resonate with readers long after they've finished the story.

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