The beings landed in six Zones across the planet, stayed for only two days, and then left, without making any contact with humanity. Roadside Picnic is set in the years following an extraterrestrial event on Earth, known as the Visit. It’s a bit daunting to write a blog post about a book that is widely regarded as one of the greatest science fiction novels of all time, and deservedly so: what can I add to the discussion that hasn’t already been said? I won’t presume to add new insight about the book, but will simply share those thoughts that occurred to me while reading. The next natural choice was the classic 1972 novel Roadside Picnic, by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky. Ever since I read Dmitry Glukhovsky’s sublime 2005 novel Metro 2033, I’ve been interested in reading more Russian science fiction. The story captured my heart and held my attention' Goodreads reviewer, 'This is the sort of book that you read and then immediately feel the need to lend it to someone you know so that they can experience and enjoy it themselves.

Once I started reading it today, I couldn't stop. Like many great books, the meaning of the ending is left up to the reader' Goodreads reviewer, 'A beautifully depressive and wonderfully atmospheric science fiction novel about life on Earth after an alien 'Visitation' that leaves humans with more questions than answers. A must read for any sci-fi fan' Goodreads reviewer, 'A fantastic and creative exploration of what first contact might be like' Goodreads reviewer, 'The tone of the book is akin to that of some noir works, dark, gritty, getting darker and grittier as the tale wears on.

It still speaks to me' Goodreads reviewer, 'Such an intriguing setting for me, such an unusual take on alien interaction' Goodreads reviewer, 'It is a thought-provoking, hard-to-put down masterpiece, most probably the best introduction to Soviet science fiction. Readers can't stop thinking about Roadside Picnic: 'A story of a horrific yet fascinating place, a story of an ordinary and unlikable man just trying to get by, a philosophical interlude on humanity and its significance or lack thereof, of greed and wonder, and the fever dream of the soul scream. And it is for her that Red makes his last, tragic foray into the hazardous and hostile depths. Even the nature of his daughter has been determined by the Zone. His life is dominated by the Zone and the thriving black market in the alien products. The Strugatsky brothers' poignant and introspective novel of first contact that inspired the classic film Stalker Red Schuhart is a stalker, one of those strange misfits who are compelled by some unknown force to venture illegally into the Zone and, in spite of the extreme danger, collect the mysterious artefacts that the alien visitors left scattered around.

Strugatsky roadside picnic