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Death and the Penguin: A blackly comic, bittersweet satirical novel about Ukraine (Panther) Kindle Edition

by Andrey Kurkov (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 2,116 ratings
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A BBC Two Between the Covers Pick

'A tragicomic masterpiece' Daily Telegraph

All that stands between one man and murder by the mafia is a penguin.

Viktor is an aspiring writer in Ukraine with only Misha, his pet penguin, for company.

Although Viktor would prefer to write short stories, he earns a living composing obituaries for a newspaper. He longs to see his work published, yet the subjects of his obituaries continue to cling to life.

But when Viktor opens the newspaper to see his work in print for the first time, his pride swiftly turns to terror. Viktor and Misha have been drawn into a trap from which there appears to be no escape.

'A striking portrait of post-Soviet isolation... In this bleak moral landscape Kurkov manages to find ample refuge for his dark humour' New York Times

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  1. Print length
    242 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Vintage Digital
  4. Publication date
    June 1, 2011
  5. File size
    736 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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  1. The once terrible was now commonplace, meaning that people accepted it as the norm and went on living, instead of getting needlessly agitated. For them, as for Viktor, the main thing, after all, was still to live, come what might.
    Highlighted by 113 Kindle readers
  2. Odd times to be a child in. An odd country, an odd life which he had no desire to make sense of. To endure, full stop, that was all he wanted.
    Highlighted by 84 Kindle readers
  3. Life was a road, and if departed from at a tangent, the longer for it. And a long road was a long life – a case where to travel was better than to arrive, the point of arrival being, after all, always the same: death.
    Highlighted by 55 Kindle readers
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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

"To every time, its own normality." As if to test the limits of his own premise, Ukrainian writer Viktor and his pet penguin, Misha, find themselves in a situation so bizarre as to challenge the very idea of normality. When Viktor is hired to write obituaries of Kiev VIPs to be kept on file, it seems like a great gig. Then the VIPs start to die with a regularity suggesting that Viktor has been signing death warrants, not writing obituaries. From there it's only a short step to Viktor's realization that someone is writing his obituary. As with Daniel Pennac's series about the Mallaussene family (see review on p.2089), Kurkov's novel exists in an all-encompassing vacuum that, like a kind of narrative narcotic, insinuates itself into the reader's pores until, yes, what was once surreal has achieved its own normality. Viktor and Misha, in the grip of circumstances beyond their control, are like us in ways we would never have dreamed possible, and Kurkov, we realize with a bit of a shock, is a strangely entrancing writer. Bill Ott
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"Kurkov demonstrates, that nowadays one is allowed to tell fresh new stories in Russia again: intelligent and funny." -Thomas Grob, Neue Zürcher Zeitung
-- Review

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0050OLHBW
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vintage Digital; New Ed edition (June 1, 2011)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 1, 2011
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 736 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 242 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 2,116 ratings

About the author

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Andrey Kurkov

Andrey Kurkov

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Ukrainian author translated into 45 languages. Novels are full of black humour, elements of surrealism, irony and humanism. Most of novels deal with post-Soviet Ukraine, but also with Pre-Soviet and Soviet history. Lives in Kyiv, Ukraine with his British wife Elizabeth and their 3 children. From 2022 learned how to be an IDP and refugee. Back in Kyiv.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
2,116 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story and plot unique with fun twists. They describe the book as an entertaining read with a well-written, easy-to-read style. Readers appreciate the dark humor, absurd elements, and cynical writing style. They find the characters interesting and charming, reflecting the penguin's mood. The book is described as interesting, insightful, and unusual. However, some readers feel the plot unfolds at a slow pace.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
Story qualityReadabilityWriting styleHumorCharacter developmentInterestPaceValue for time
45 customers mention "Story quality"36 positive9 negative

Customers find the story engaging with its unique plot and fun twists. They enjoy the poignant story and mystery that carries throughout the book. The author's ideas and surprises keep readers hooked.

"...Kafkaesque elements, the novel is part black comedy, part mystery and thriller...." Read more

"...Andrey Kurkov's novel, Death and the Penguin , is a satirical crime story with serious political undertones: corruption, gang fighting, political..." Read more

"...Well written/translated. A poignant story." Read more

"...The plot twists are never expected and never cease to add layers to raise questions that are not necessarily ever answered...." Read more

40 customers mention "Readability"40 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and entertaining. They describe it as a must-read for quirky and nerdy readers. The characters are well-developed and the writing style is well-executed. Readers appreciate the combination of satire and coming-of-age literature that leaves them happy.

"A quick, engaging read that so easily flows you will find yourself tempted to finish it in a single sitting...." Read more

"...And it all fits together to make a highly entertaining, even touching story...." Read more

"...Death and the Penguin is a great novel for anyone who wants to better understand what life was like in the 1990s in a post-Soviet country,..." Read more

"United States reader here. The book is well executed, and the characters are generally convincing, albeit constructed with minimal depth...." Read more

32 customers mention "Writing style"27 positive5 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style. They find it well-written, easy to read, and eloquently written with no unnecessary flourishes. The complex plot and characters are richly described, and the lightness of the writing style juxtaposes perfectly with the unexpected ending. Readers enjoy the unique premise and consider the book a delightful read that keeps their interest.

"...Andrey Kurkov has become one of the leading Ukrainian writers today...." Read more

"...I think the book is intentional and thoughtful enough to merit deeper contemplation about its meaning, but ultimately every character is treated as..." Read more

"...Kurkov writes deftly and in an almost minimal style, and was ably translated by George Bird...." Read more

"...While the book is an easy read, its content is meant for readers who appreciate darkness and dry humor...." Read more

28 customers mention "Humor"28 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book. They describe it as a dark comedy with elements of mystery and thriller. The writing is described as cynical, absurd, and witty. However, some readers feel the writing is bland and factual.

"...With certain Kafkaesque elements, the novel is part black comedy, part mystery and thriller...." Read more

"...The result is an interesting mix of mystery with darkly funny overtones, blended with scathing commentary on the state of Ukraine after the end of..." Read more

"...Like a riddle, it's deceptively simple and more than a little absurd, and likely to make you laugh...." Read more

"...There is intrigue, dark humor, drama, tragedy and absurdity. All of these elements are tied together with interesting characters...." Read more

10 customers mention "Character development"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the character development. They find the characters interesting and charming, with representative elements that reflect Viktor's mood and involvement.

"...The book is well executed, and the characters are generally convincing, albeit constructed with minimal depth...." Read more

"...not just comic relief, but has some representative elements, reflecting Viktor’s mood and his involvement within his shady line of work...." Read more

"...This is a good narrative with fascinating characters giving a good feeling of the city...." Read more

"...All of these elements are tied together with interesting characters. And, I even liked the twist ending (rare for books with anticipated sequels)...." Read more

10 customers mention "Interest"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's interesting and clever concept. They find it an unusual story with surprising twists that keep them hooked. The author is described as thoughtful and unpredictable, with some humor and a solution that is not ideal.

"Andrey Kurkov’s Death and the Penguin lives up to its title. It is interesting, if a little strange, and of course, the novel features death and a..." Read more

"...I enjoyed the view from afar. The ridiculous elements did not seem ridiculous, such as a pet penguin (where does it poop?),..." Read more

"...It's interesting !hgfhow it portrays life during the cold war in the USSR (specifically, Ukraine), and it's darkly funny...." Read more

"...and state based corruption in Ukraine, and its suggests an interesting sort of solution, not ideal...." Read more

6 customers mention "Pace"0 positive6 negative

Customers find the plot unfolding slowly. They feel the book is plodding, but it holds their attention.

"...As time goes on, the plot becomes more and more complicated, in which even minor characters become wrapped up in the danger that is present in post-..." Read more

"I regret spending time with this novel. The plot unfolds at a glacial pace and provides little depth to compensate for its lack of movement...." Read more

"...The Russian culture and surroundings kept the story interesting, a little slow, but held my attention. I'm going to read the next story" Read more

"...Very dark, quite odd, and unlike some other readers i though the book was plodding...." Read more

6 customers mention "Value for time"0 positive6 negative

Customers find the book disappointing and lacking value for their time. They describe the writing as bland and factual, with a dark and odd plot that seems too outrageous.

"...-telling that points to a theme of the fleetingness and arguably meaninglessness of life, at least for the book’s central character in mid-90s..." Read more

"...The writing was not bad, somewhat bland and factual but also quietly questioning, much like Viktor...." Read more

"...plot and characters, eloquently and richly written, this is NOT worth your time...." Read more

"...I found the book disappointing... Very dark, quite odd, and unlike some other readers i though the book was plodding...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • M.D. Kuehn
    5.0 out of 5 stars It's a compact, complex little tale, with a stunning finale. A great read.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    A quick, engaging read that so easily flows you will find yourself tempted to finish it in a single sitting. Victor, failed would be fiction writer, crafts obituaries – <i>obelisks</i> – of living Ukrainian VIPs, to be filed for future publication, as needed, in the Kiev paper, <i>the Capital News</i>. Little does poor Victor realize what nefarious scheme he's become a party to, one that will put his life at risk should he ever learn the truth. With certain Kafkaesque elements, the novel is part black comedy, part mystery and thriller. Oh, and as you'd already guessed from the title, there's a penguin, Misha, who is Victor's only real friend. It's a compact, complex little tale, with a stunning finale. A great read.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Friederike Knabe
    4.0 out of 5 stars "Death as planned economy"
    Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    "The less you know the longer you live", warned the Chief when Victor inquired about the purpose of preparing certain obituaries, called "obelisks" in the jargon of Capital News, a major newspaper in Kiev (Ukraine). Victor is a struggling fiction writer, who should feel himself lucky to land a well paying day job. So his friends tell him,except that none among them, or the readership of the paper, know what he is being asked to write. All obelisks are of well known personalities, and, when they appear in print are signed by "Friends of ...". Problem is that he writes about living public figures, who...well, you can guess.

    Andrey Kurkov's novel, Death and the Penguin , is a satirical crime story with serious political undertones: corruption, gang fighting, political intrigue... you name it, it is there. And it all fits together to make a highly entertaining, even touching story. And, it goes without saying, it has to do with the second central figure to Victor, Misha, the penguin of the title. Misha has become a fixture in Victor's life, closer to him than any human beings in these uncertain times. He also brings Victor in contact with the widest range of characters, most importantly, though, with new found friends who provide Victor with some sense of stability and home.

    But stability is nevertheless not a long-term condition: friends turn out to be working for another side and may use or harm our innocent hero; friends may have to "disappear" for a while and Victor is left to figure out what might be the reason. Even the Chief behaves strangely at times. Sergeij, one of Victors buddies brings his young daughter one day to stay with him for a while. She enlivens his and his penguin's life but also requires care that the bachelor and loner hadn't considered.

    How does a person inherit a penguin to live in his apartment? You may well ask... Kiev's zoo at the time was in financial trouble and offered citizens to take over the care for some of the animals, including the penguins. Victor, as a caring person, decided to help. The description on his and Misha's life together is evocative to say the least. Eventually, Victor has to consult the zoo's retired penguinologist for advice and he learns more from the old man than he could have guessed.

    One day, Victor and Misha are ordered to attend a high profile funeral.... and life is never the same after that. Victor realizes that "His life was split in two halves, one known, one unknown. And what was in the other half?" To find out you have to follow Victor and read this tongue in cheek and engaging story.

    Andrey Kurkov has become one of the leading Ukrainian writers today. After refusing to work as a translator for the KGB, he worked as a journalist and film cameraman. His first books were self-published and informally sold.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Eleanor Lynn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Death and the Penguin is a great novel for anyone who wants to better understand what ...
    Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Andrey Kurkov’s novel Death and the Penguin revolves around Viktor Zolotaryov and his penguin, Misha, who Viktor bought on whim when his girlfriend left him and the Kiev zoo was selling its animals. Viktor becomes a contributor to a newspaper—as an obituary writer for the living. Eventually, the people that Viktor writes living obituaries for begin to end up dead and Misha is hired to attend their funerals (because who doesn’t want a penguin at their funeral). As the story continues so too does the complexity of Viktor’s life. Viktor becomes acquainted with a mobster, non-penguin-Misha, who leaves his daughter, Sonya, with him for an unspecified amount of time, which turns out to be forever. Viktor hires a nanny for Sonya named Nina. Together Viktor, Nina, Sonya, and Misha make up a distorted “family” that attempts to wade through the tumultuous mess that is Ukraine in the 1990s.

    The most compelling aspect of the entire novel is Kurkov’s portrayal of the 1990s in a broken Ukraine. This era was a time of transition from communism to democracy/free market and thus is a time where rules are not entirely there nor are morals. When one of Viktor’s friends, Pidpaly dies Viktor promises him that he will burn down his apartment for him. Viktor had to close “his mind to what he was doing” (143) and set to flame Pidpaly’s apartment not alarming the “people who were either asleep or not back yet” (144) and instead called the fire brigade a few minutes later. This detachment to what is right and wrong in the world is a constant theme throughout the novel and plays on each of the characters. Things are not black and white, rather they are a spectrum of options and life in the 1990s distorted the views on what was right and wrong, which this novel demonstrates that notion. Death and the Penguin is a great novel for anyone who wants to better understand what life was like in the 1990s in a post-Soviet country, especially if they enjoy dark humor.
    13 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Len
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great insight into life in Ukraine just after the breakup of the Soviet Union. Great ending!
    Reviewed in Canada on September 4, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The setting is Kiev’s just after the breakup of the Soviet Union. Victor has a penguin and then he gets hired by a newspaper to write an obituary for people who haven’t died. (I know, right!) Obviously, there’s weird stuff going on and Victor tries to figure it out, all the time taking care of this penguin and then being downloaded with the care of others. The randomness of events and actions of authorities really provides the reader with the sense of what life must have been like in Ukraine during the early 1990s just after the breakup of the Soviet Union.
    It has one of the best endings I’ve read in a book.
    Report
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars First Class read
    Reviewed in Germany on August 13, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    What more can you add to that?
    Report
  • Vik
    5.0 out of 5 stars Happy to purchase Ukrainian books
    Reviewed in Australia on May 15, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    As I am from Ukraine, I was delighted to find the copy my friends could read here! Now we can share the experience of reading the writers from my home country.
    Report
  • 異人
    4.0 out of 5 stars 期待以上
    Reviewed in Japan on July 3, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    掛かり付けの医者に聞いてみたら、やはりペンギンは人間の心臓移植が受けられませんが、それでも、この素朴で異質な推理小説が大変良かった。同じくウクライナの物語でも、「スニッファー」とは全然異なります。
    Report
  • Joe U
    4.0 out of 5 stars Spoiler alert
    Reviewed in Canada on June 2, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Fantasy life journey novel. The last line says . . . . . . oh, I can't really give it away.
    Report

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