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The Stranger (The Labyrinths of Echo Book 1) by [Frei, Max]

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Max Frei

The Stranger (The Labyrinths of Echo Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Max Frei (Author), Polly Gannon (Translator)

26 ratings

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The Russian author’s international-bestselling series begins with this “well-written, well-paced grown-up fantasy with a strong dose of reality” (Kirkus Reviews).

Fandomania.com’s #1 Book of 2009

To put it bluntly, Max Frei is a loser. He spends his day sleeping and at night he smokes, eats, and loafs around because he can’t catch a wink. But then he gets lucky. Through his dreams, he begins to contact a parallel world where magic is a daily practice—and, strangely, Max seems to fit right in.

Once a social outcast, he’s now known in this new world of Echo 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 involving illegal magic. And he’s about to embark on a journey down the winding paths of this strange and unhinged universe.

“Fans of Jasper Fforde and Susanna Clark will happily jump into Frei’s world.” —USA Today

“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.” —Kirkus Reviews

Word Wise: Enabled

Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled

Page Flip: Enabled

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Product details

File Size: 1336 KB
Print Length: 544 pages
Publisher: The Overlook Press (January 4, 2011)
Publication Date: September 13, 2019
Language: English
ASIN: B07RTBL2QG
Text-to-Speech: Enabled

X-Ray:

Not Enabled

Word Wise: Enabled
Lending: Not Enabled
Screen Reader: Supported

Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #633,596 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
- #6939 in Dark Fantasy
- #5073 in Dark Fantasy Horror
- #8881 in Epic Fantasy (Kindle Store)

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W.A.R.

Great novel, poor translation

April 16, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I truly enjoyed this novel a decade ago and in Russian, so I was very excited when I saw the English version available here on Amazon. I couldn't wait to share this comedic fantasy with a Russian flair with my English-speaking friends. I'm very glad that I decided to read it first and saved myself the embarrassment of wasting my friends' time with this unfortunate translation. It's clumsy and boring, the characters are recognizable only through their names and the jokes are flat. On top of that the translator took too many liberties with the text and none of it for the better.

Just to be fair, I went back and reread the Russian version, perspectives do change with time... and I found the original novel to be lively, fun and entertaining just as I remembered it. So, I'm still looking for a good English translation.

12 people found this helpful

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Paul Bjorklund

wonderful, full of unexpected twists and turns

May 28, 2018

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Otherwordly, wonderful, full of unexpected twists and turns.

One person found this helpful

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Ddraig64

A great translation.

December 8, 2013

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Difficult to read, but very interesting. I need to buy another copy as I left mine in the States when I moved!!!

2 people found this helpful

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The Alternative

The Stranger (The Labyrinths of Echo) by Max Frei

September 5, 2009

Format: 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.

[...]

4 people found this helpful

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Kieran Mullen

An odd but interesting book

June 11, 2009

Format: Hardcover

"The Stranger" is an odd work of fantasy which I found intriguing despite a number of flaws.

It's hard to decide where to place this book within the fantasy genre. For example, much of it seems foolishly silly, with characters named "Sir Boboota Box" and "Sir Lonli-Lokli." The fantastic world in which it takes place is similarly light spirited: there are apparently no violent murders, people routinely have enormous houses with a dozen bath tubs, cats are enormous but somehow docile as sheep and not predators, and everyone obsesses about their next meal. In contrast to this there are gruesome murders, foul cannibals, and power-mad killer magicians. There is no attempt to explain the internal logic of the world - what is possible and what is not. This is especially frustrating since the plot revolves around crimes but there is no framework in the traditional sense for the reader to appreciate the crime or its solution.

The hero has more than a touch of "Mary-Sue": he is a plain sort who wanders into a world where he is an immediate success, can do magic without training or effort, and instantly rises to a position of power. In fact there is precious little that the hero desires that he does not obtain.

On the positive side, the book is inventive and entertaining. The hero is light-hearted and unpretentious. The book has a different flavor and balance which I think stems from cultural differences. (The book's constant focus on work-place relationships reminds me of the Daywatch series, also by a Russian author). And there is a hint that there is a fundamental reason for the hero's unreasonable success...

Thus, while I would not rate this book as a "must read," it is well-written and off-beat enough to be worthy of consideration.

4 people found this helpful

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Katy

Charming

December 12, 2018

Format: Paperback

Frei has been a favorite of thousands for the last twenty years for many good reasons. His lighthearted whimsical storytelling has much more to offer than is apparent at first sight.

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