I see now why this book inspired so much other art! From the classic Tarkovsky movie Stalker, to the STALKER video game franchise, to Metro 2033 – the Strugatsky brothers have left an awfully big legacy with this one.
Here’s the setup (no spoilers, but inside tags just in case you want a blank slate):
Red Schuhart is a stalker, one of the young rebels who venture illegally into the Zone to collect mysterious artifacts left behind by aliens after their visit. But when he and his friend Kirill go in together to pick up a “full empty,” something goes wrong. Despite the danger, Red keeps getting pulled back to the Zone, again and again, until he finds the answers he’s looking for, or his luck runs out.
The book is a masterpiece of world-building and suspense. The Zone itself is a character, a constantly shifting landscape that both repels and compels those who enter. I won’t say too much more about it, and the specifics of the danger lurking there, or the power of the artifacts inside, because seeing it alongside Red, piecing together its secrets through his experiences, is a hugely fun part of the book.
Red is a complex and fascinating protagonist, a man hardened by his experiences but not without compassion. He’s tough, cynical, and incredibly competent, but also has a huge soft spot when it comes to his family and the people he knows. Absolutely one of the best, most fun, and complex characters I’ve come across in all of sci-fi, and he’s what makes this book so special. My only complaint about the book is that it's four parts long, and in one of the parts, Red is mostly offscreen – we could have had a few more pages with Red Schuhart!
PS: Part of an ongoing series of posts about the best sci-fi books of all time for the Hugonauts. If you're interested in a deeper discussion about Roadside Picnic, plus similar book recommendations, search 'Hugonauts scifi' on any podcast app or YouTube. Just trying to spread the love of good books – keep reading y’all!
by brent_323
18 Comments
Roadside Picnic was awesome. I enjoy books more when there is a bit of mystery to them and everything isn’t fully explained.
I’ve got The Snail on the Slope, also by the Strugatsky brothers, sitting on my shelf waiting to be read.
My favorite too. Love it so much I bought the Folio edition with art from Dave McKean.
It’s a really tight quick read that stays with you.
Essential reading for anyone who’s a fan of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games. I feel like the dark, foreboding atmosphere of the games and that hostility of the environment of the Zone, is translated so well from Roadside Picnic.
Did you read the translation by Antonina W. Bouis or Olena Bormashenko?
I want to start on the Noon Universe stuff but I don’t have a lot of time for physical books these days…
Hmm. I have a battered copy sitting on my shelf published in the SF Masterworks line by Gollancz. Unfortunately it doesn’t state the translator. I’ll have to give it a go!
I added it to my to be read list. Thank you.
I think it’s one of the greatest science fiction books ever written, and when you put it into context – its clear criticism of the Marxist dream, which they somehow got away with by setting it in Ohio— it’s so brilliant.
And yet Definitely, Maybe is my favorite book by them, even though it’s on a smaller scale, or perhaps because it is. They had such amazing ideas and executed them perfectly.
As a sci-fi reader and Cormac McCarthy fan, thank you for this recommendation. I’ve added it to my “want to read” list.
Similar sci-fi that it inspired in Nova Swing and Annihilation are both interesting to read after Roadside Picnic.
I first heard about Roadside Picnic when it was referred to as a reason that the ‘pastime’ of penetrating the exclusion zone around Chernobyl is so popular. I got a copy and was completely blown away. It is definitely a thrill ride. Absolutely recommended.
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In my 65yrs never heard of this book but started reading it today and it’s really good. Just thanks so much for the recommendation
Can’t argue with your take on this. Brilliant book in every respect, I think.
I liked how weird this book was, but I definitely had the feeling I was missing something the entire time. Maybe it was the translation, or maybe I wasn’t tuned in enough to catch all the plot points, but I felt lost a lot. Still enjoyed the humor and atmosphere though.
I love that book. The Stugatsky brothers are incredible.
We read this last week in my book club. I think everyone enjoyed it but nobody was blown away. Lead to great discussions though. I would recommend it, but I can’t say it’s a must read or even a personal favourite.
In Russian Red is kind of a synonym for an idiot.