The Stranger (The Labyrinths of Echo, Book 1) [Hardcover]

Max Frei (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2, 2009

The millions-selling fantasy epic of the new Russian literary icon-a freeloading freebooter who finds a new home in a magical world

Max Frei's novels have been a literary sensation in Russia since their debut in 1996, and have swept the fantasy world over. Presented here in English for the first time, The Stranger will strike a chord with readers of all stripes. Part fantasy, part horror, part philosophy, part dark comedy, the writing is united by a sharp wit and a web of clues that will open up the imagination of every reader.

Max Frei was a twenty-something loser-a big sleeper (that is, during the day; at night he can't sleep a wink), a hardened smoker, and an uncomplicated glutton and loafer. But then he got lucky. He contacts a parallel world in his dreams, where magic is a daily practice. Once a social outcast, he's now known in his new world as the "unequalled Sir Max." He's a member of the Department of Absolute Order, formed by a species of enchanted secret agents; his job is to solve cases more extravagant and unreal than one could imagine-a journey that will take Max down the winding paths of this strange and unhinged universe.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

First published to wide acclaim in Russia in 1996, the intriguing first Labyrinths of Echo novel introduces readers to protagonist, narrator and pseudonymous author Max Frei. Max, a self-described classic loser, stays up all night and sleeps during the day. His erratic sleeping habits turn out to be a blessing when a dream brings him to Echo, an otherworldly city inhabited by magicians, where he is named the Nocturnal Representative of the Most Venerable Head of the Minor Secret Investigative Force. After training to shed his terrestrial habits, Max's investigative intuition quickly makes him one of the city's most revered—and feared—men, and soon he's taking on midget murderers and rescuing bewitched sea captains. Gannon's translation preserves the book's quintessentially Russian wit and makes it easily accessible to English-speaking fantasy mystery fans. (Apr.)
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Review

“If Harry Potter smoked cigarettes and took a certain matter-of-fact pleasure in administering tough justice, he might like Max Frei, the protagonist of this fantasy novel…Well-written, well-paced grown-up fantasy with a strong dose of reality.” –Kirkus

“The whole effect is like a collaboration between Raymond Chandler and Gilbert and Sullivan—cheerfully noirish and disturbingly satirical…the story is quite charming and unusual.” –Library Journal

“The Stranger will strike a chord with readers of all stripes… incredibly imaginative bolstered by an undeniable charm—think Harry Potter meets Dr. Seuss. In fact, I believe the book’s most striking attribute is its creativeness—a creativeness that extends throughout the entire city of Eho and the world beyond… Plus so many other wonderful ideas that it would require me writing a book just to cover them all… Once I got used to the book’s particular sense of humor, I had quite a few laughs and was reminded a bit of Mike Resnick’s amusing John Justin Mallory tales… I can easily see why The Labyrinths of Echo has enjoyed so much praise and success, and I strongly urge anyone who is a fan of imaginative fiction to give Max Frei’s The Stranger a try.” -FantasyBookCritic

"The spiky, smart prose and the often exceedingly cool surrealism that shoot through this book will certainly satisfy those looking for something rather different."-bookotron.com

“Gannon’s translation preserves the book’s quintessentially Russian wit and makes it easily accessible to English speaking fantasy mystery fans.” –Publishers Weekly

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 544 pages
• Publisher: Overlook Hardcover; First Edition edition (April 2, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590200659
• ISBN-13: 978-1590200650
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.5 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,155,861 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun read for anyone who likes a little magic!, April 27, 2009

By 

davi strand "davi strand" (brooklyn, ny) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Stranger (The Labyrinths of Echo, Book 1) (Hardcover)

This book has been getting a ton of buzz online and I picked it up when I heard that Max Frei is a beloved literary icon and bestselling author in Russia. I am a fan of Russian literature and humor, and this book definitely has plenty of it! Also, for those of you who are not big SciFi readers, don't make the mistake of shying away from this book. It really is more accessible than your usual science fiction fare, and while it's undeniably a fantasy book, it's extremely readable and I think it should have a wide appeal beyond its genre.

THE STRANGER is a funny, quirky book filled with magic and imagination. Max's character is so endearing (the bad boy Harry Potter!) from page one that it was easy for me to follow him from one off-the-wall adventure to another. This really was an addictive book and I'm excited for the next installment, which is rumored to be set for Fall 2010.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Douglas Adams and JK Rowling had a child and his name is Max Frei, June 1, 2009

By 

J. Center "Children's Librarian" (Ventura, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Stranger (The Labyrinths of Echo, Book 1) (Hardcover)

Plenty of books have magic, even magical mysteries (Dresden Files, etc) but few combine these aspects with zany humor and fish-out-of-water misunderstandings to such a wonderful effect. I have seen several people comment that this book is like "Harry Potter for grown ups" but I haven't seen anybody notice the similarities between The Stranger and Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Both involve denizens of our world who inexplicably become involved in otherwordly adventures, politics, romance, etc and both are desperately funny. Magic here is also a conceit that has to be believed. The Harry Potter books focus far more on how magic works, specific spells and so on. In "The Stranger," as in "Hitchhikers Guide," random magical things happen without a lot of explanation. Max develops the ability spit deadly venom much in the same way Arthur Dent learns to fly by forgetting to hit the ground. You will only be irritated by the lack of internal logic if you are the sort of person who is fixated on how things work rather than the story itself. You won't by the end of this book, really understand why or how Max ended up in this new World at all or even who Max was before he arrived. Knowing that, it is a wonderful ride that is definitely worth taking.
Oh, and yes, this book has a strange fixation with food. I don't think a page goes by where someone isn't talking about a certain meal or restaurant they enjoy. Perhaps the universal comforts of a good drink and a hardy meal span Worlds. Sometimes life is going through the day to day routine of a regular cup of coffee (or kamra) a bath (or 8) and a good nights sleep (hopefully avoiding awkward encounters with ghosts or coworkers). You can't battle Magicians every day, after all.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Stranger (The Labyrinths of Echo) by Max Frei, September 5, 2009

By 

The Alternative (Southeastern Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Stranger (The Labyrinths of Echo, Book 1) (Hardcover)

"The Stranger," the first book in "The Labyrinths of Echo" series, is comprised of numerous who-dun-it mysteries that are set in a magical new dimension. When Max, the protagonist, leaves his own dimension into Echo he finds himself befriended by a strange Magician named Sir Juffin Hulley, The Most Venerable Head of the Minor Secret Investigative Force. The two men strike up a close friendship after Max is discovered to have magical skills himself. Russian novelist Frei knows how to tell a good story. Every chapter in the book is a new mystery with dark magic running throughout each. From a demon inhabited mirror, to a Grand Magician who is attempting to beat death by murdering innocents, to the creation of a New World (alternative city) by a `good' magician, each story is well told and told well.

"The Stranger" is reminiscent of Susanna Clarke's "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell" and Jasper Fforde's "Thursday Next" stories but with much more action, "The Stranger" is set in a magical Victorian dream world accessible only via an enchanted trolley. Frei has developed well-rounded, believable characters and places but his real strength is his dialogue and the developing friendships of the characters. I always find it compelling when a new author tells a good story set in an alternative world. Especially when done from a unique and creative angle. This is one of those tales.

Engaging and entertaining this book receives 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

From the book flap:
Max Frei's novels have been a literary sensation in Russia since their debut in 1996, and have swept the fantasy world over. Presented here in English for the first time, The Stranger will strike a chord with readers of all stripes. Part fantasy, part horror, part philosophy, part dark comedy, the writing is united by a sharp wit and a web of clues that will open up the imagination of every reader.Max Frei was a twenty-something loser-a big sleeper (that is, during the day; at night he can't sleep a wink), a hardened smoker, and an uncomplicated glutton and loafer. But then he got lucky. He contacts a parallel world in his dreams, where magic is a daily practice. Once a social outcast, he's now known in his new world as the "unequalled Sir Max." He's a member of the Department of Absolute Order, formed by a species of enchanted secret agents; his job is to solve cases more extravagant and unreal than one could imagine-a journey that will take Max down the winding paths of this strange and unhinged universe.

Note: Max Frei (Russian: Ìàêñ Ôðàé) is the fictional narrator of ten Russian fantasy novels which make up the "The Labyrinths of Echo" series ("Ëàáèðèíòû Eõî"), as well as several other novels. He is also presented as the author of these and other works, although in an additional twist of fantasy, it has been revealed that Max Frei is actually a pen name of Svetlana Martynchik and Igor Stepin the true creators of this literary icon.

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