What a ride! How Kerangal builds suspense that makes the entire book feel like one long, deep, drawn breath that you would not want to interrupt!
The majesty of Russia’s landscape appears through the window of the trans-Siberian train, but it is surprisingly subtle in portraying a vulnerable Russia.
Yes, it is a serendipitous train ride shared by a man and a woman, but don’t expect the deep conversations of Celine and Jesse from Before Sunrise. Aliocha and Hélène practically pantomime their way throughout the journey; he being Russian and she being French.
Yes, it concerns an army conscript who wants out, but don’t expect Francis Mirković of Mathias Enard’s Zone. Aliocha won’t sing to you a threnody of the crimes of nations. He is only concerned about his escape.
I love the aforementioned titles and I feel relieved that Eastbound did not turn out like any of those. They are only alike for the reason that they are each in a league of their own.
On the surface, it stays true to its promise of being an adventure story, but I see it as an intelligent political novel. Not because the characters discuss politics, they don’t. But can there be a more political story than two people pursuing their individual freedoms?
The Book-Butterfly 
Another of your beloved Archipelago books! This one sounds intriguing!
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Yes! The sticker says it’s one of the New York Times 10 best books of 2023! I started reading it at the pre-departure area and continued reading in the plane, then finished as we were about to land in our capital. And that whole time, I was in that train instead. Her writing really transports that I felt a bit disoriented when I looked up after reading the last page!
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Sounds like one to definitely buy then! I’ll add to the list! Thanks x
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