In 1950 Ireland, Soviet citizen Nikolai Lobachevsky has been working in the western bogs, trying to help a team survey the bog lands. He receives a letter from the Soviet government summoning him home to take up a “special assignment.” He knows that probably means execution, so he hides on a remote estuarial island.
Readers who look for a rousing plot aren’t going to find one here. Nothing much happens except for work and exact observations. First, Nikolai is helping with the surveying. Later, he helps farm seaweed. But he is homesick, and once he hears of Stalin’s death, he decides to return to Russia, taking a gamble that Malinkov, for whom he used to work, will pardon him for whatever sins he’s supposed to have committed.
I just felt meh about this novel, which I read for my Walter Scott project. It excels at descriptive passages, but it was hard to know Lobachevsky. Also, I am not that into strictly contemplative novels.
What? Me Read? 
I’m only aware of this book because it was on the Walter Scott Prize list and I haven’t rushed to read it as it doesn’t really sound like a book I would enjoy. I’ll be interested to see what’s on this year’s longlist – I think it’s usually announced in February.
Yes, that will be interesting. I am almost completely caught up with the prize. I think I only have three more books to read. I have had to buy several because they’re not always available at the library. I’ve been putting off the Simon Mawer, because I haven’t enjoyed his books at all.
I have been contemplating a Sir Walter Scott mini challenge as part of the Historical Fiction reading Challenge but haven’t got there yet!
Thanks for sharing your review with the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge.
Thanks! A Walter Scott challenge would be fun!