First published in 2012

127 pages

Historical Fiction, Social Commentary, Thriller

This little book packs a serious punch. It caught my eye because it's square, instead of rectangular like most published books. And any novel with a unique physical structure will grab my attention. It's a brief story about a young Russian conscript on a trans-Siberian train to Vladivostok. While on the train, he decides to desert. With the help of a French woman he meets on the train, Hélène, he attempts his plan. There is an "uncanny trust" for each other, even though they had never met before. This pull is unexplainable but strong enough for them both to risk their lives.

This is an intense and visceral story about the inner worlds of these individuals and how it relates to the harsh outer worlds they both occupy. The writing style is concise and pinpoints the exact words necessary to make you heart jump. A unique and enlightening read, for sure. It sprints through you and leaves you breathless, like a bus that passes too close to you on the street. It leaves you standing in the sudden silence after it occupies your mind for a short time. It's complex without being long winded; its impact is an artful tool the author uses to capture our minds long after you finish reading it. I would recommend taking some time after reading it to reflect, to sit with the story for a moment and let it sink in.