Hard to Be a God - Arkady Strugatsky, Boris Strugatsky, Olena Bormashenko - translator

This post has 9 comments with rating of 5/59

• 
  pryderi
  July 31st, 2023
  

  

  I didn’t know this had been translated, let alone made into an audiobook.

  I’ve had a sneaking respect for the Strugatsky brothers for a very long time; but I have Russian-speaking friends who assure me that at their best they are as good as Lem, and I’ve never quite got that from them.

  Perhaps this book will complete my education.

  Hard to Be a God - Arkady Strugatsky, Boris Strugatsky, Olena Bormashenko - translator
• 
  buckitt9
  August 1st, 2023
  

  

  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2328813/

  thanks all

  Hard to Be a God - Arkady Strugatsky, Boris Strugatsky, Olena Bormashenko - translator
• 
  Khameleon
  August 1st, 2023
  

  

  I read (and own) Thee Oleno Bormashenko translation (foreward by Hari Kunaru/Afterward Boris Strugatsky) released via “Chicago Review Press” and would recommend it to anyone slightly interested. I must confess right off that it is the only version I’ve read, so I can make no claims whether it’s the most accurate translation/interesting to read/faithful translation (though Boris himself does do the afterward which might mean something).

  If you read this far I would also LOVE to recommend ‘Roadside Picnic’ by the same pair, which to this day has one of the most fascinating, inventive, and underutilized (perhaps to it’s credit) central idea. The title gives a hint to what the story is saying about what happened: the entire book, Earth, and our “divine providence” is treated as a normal roadside picnic. Except instead of a cranky dad pulling over at a rest stop on the way to the grand canyon with kids wanting to run off and stretch, Aliens (very briefly) landed their sauces in what have now been know and quarantined by governments as no go “zones”. We get literally no background to the aliens, no amazing craft discover, no dead body, people didn’t go nuts. The crafts stopped for a shot time, left (and seemingly did nothing, certainly didn’t attack us) then left some random garbage as we do and kept going. We find (what to us) are miraculous invention we’re unable to fully understand like batteries that create their own energy, as well as random areas that can randomly toss tornados, melt you, stop you from moving, etc called Anomalies. The inventions are mind boggling to us, but not only can we not understand of their true purposes or how to even really use them, the aliens considered them so insignificant (or replaceable) that, essentially, it’s the equivalent to a coke can tossed out the window to us. And the entire purpose isn’t to focus on the aliens. Or even their ships, or our reactions. It’s simply that they left behind “garbage” that sharp minded individuals can collect, sell, and life continues as normal. These things simply stopped here for whatever reason, it was likely a good pit spot on the way and moved on. And much like we do, where we go we inevitably end up leaving some garbage behind that the wildlife is completely baffled by (some incredibly dangerous like beer connecters to fish/turtles) or pure magic that crab/octopus can make homes from. It’s such a fascinating idea from two incredibly foreword thinking brothers.

  Hard to Be a God - Arkady Strugatsky, Boris Strugatsky, Olena Bormashenko - translator
• 
  Khameleon
  August 1st, 2023
  

  

  I noticed I ended up doing a lot of rambling about a completely different book. My apologies.

  I haven’t heard Hard to be a God yet so I’ll compare the book and movie if you don’t mine.

  The basic premise is that a group of scientists have been sent to a foreign planet to study it’s population (that they’ve discovered is very similar to Earth). The mission is to integrate into the society that get position of powers. The differences with this “Earth” is that it’s far in our past, I think the Middle Age is accurate? It’s been a while for me. That said the scientists can’t blow their cover or have access to “magic”. Most (all?) and up as Mayors/Kings/all sort of important positions.

  There other (and main) operative is DO NOT INTERFERE. Earth (or the main planet I don’t remember if it still uses Earth, my apologies) can not only not let on their aliens but they are NOT allowed to interfere AT ALL. If there is a beading in front of you, in happens. Now if it’s a case where a fair duel may be allowed to take the place, that’s ok, but all local customs and traditions must be respected. So you get a lot of old timey sword fights, and me’honor, and digging in pig filth. But like my last review it leaves you with a lot of questions…how much could you leave “as is” to nature, knowing it’s possibly very like your nature that turned out….it turned out, can you handle before the need to interfere kicks in? And can you simply interfere and not direct? Rule? It’s quite the moral quandary. Big recommend for the book, haven’t read the audiobook yet but unless they REALLY butcher the Russian translation (or the narrator is the worst check it out .

  The film version: While I did really enjoy it, and it had to cut out a lot of characterization, without having priorly read the book you might just be straight confused and genuinely have no idea these are advanced spacemen. You watch an area of people literally just rolling in the mud. It’s for art, you see. That being said I have have a larger tolerance that most, so while I *might* {big might} recommend, perhaps try free/paid rent, some other way…you got it.

  Hard to Be a God - Arkady Strugatsky, Boris Strugatsky, Olena Bormashenko - translator
• 
  Khameleon
  August 1st, 2023
  

  

  I just straight butchered that last paragraph about the movie lol. Here’s English.

  A LOT of people hated it of just left (their own room in their home for another room) it takes a lot to get going and there’s a ton of crazy people just rolling in filth for an hour with little progression.

  If you read the book, you’ll understand it (like it is another matter). But it’s definitely slow, and with a lot of the characterization cut out of shrunk it’s almost “oh ya these were aliens”.

  I like it, but I can sit though long, “boring” movies (I loved the hour single shot monologue of Hunger) plus all sorts of art/slow burn.

  If you got this far and are somehow still interested in it or are interested in talking to me or learning about more of such stuff and borrowing, I’m definitely not saying you should type ITSBX in the address bar followed by the Canadian version of .com. But who knows unless ya give it a go ay?

  Hard to Be a God - Arkady Strugatsky, Boris Strugatsky, Olena Bormashenko - translator
• 
  molsuppen
  August 1st, 2023
  

  

  Sounds interesting. Not one I know. Great to see all the hard sci-fi lovers in here.

  Hard to Be a God - Arkady Strugatsky, Boris Strugatsky, Olena Bormashenko - translator
• 
  molsuppen
  August 1st, 2023
  

  

  Thx a lot much appreciated

  Hard to Be a God - Arkady Strugatsky, Boris Strugatsky, Olena Bormashenko - translator
• 
  Shalaschaska
  August 1st, 2023
  

  The video game is pretty good also, if you like rpgs

  Hard to Be a God - Arkady Strugatsky, Boris Strugatsky, Olena Bormashenko - translator
• 
  Spunkyflyboi
  May 9th, 2024
  

  I watched the film a few times with my dad, it made no sense as it was mostly spitting, rubbing gross liquids on people and things dangling in peoples faces while they try to talk. Suffice to say neither me or my dad got it. Hopefully the book makes more sense and I can pretend I have some insight next time we watch it LOL

  Hard to Be a God - Arkady Strugatsky, Boris Strugatsky, Olena Bormashenko - translator

Add a comment (please log in before commenting)