The historical detective is one of the subgenres of the detective. In addition to him, there are also psychological, ironic, fantastic, political, criminal and other varieties.
As the name implies, in works written in this genre, the action takes place in the past. It is also possible that the protagonist - a detective from the present - is investigating an incident that happened in ancient times.
As a rule, writers of historical detective stories do not claim to be true facts. Sometimes authors distort the names of characters and various names of objects, cities and even countries. This is done so as not to be responsible for the accuracy of the events described, but at the same time the reader could draw a parallel with real-life personalities.
One of the most famous Russian authors of a historical detective story is Boris Akunin. Books about Nicholas Fandorin, included in the series "The Adventures of the Master" are popular among fans of this genre.
Author biography and origin of the pseudonym
Akunin's real name is Grigory Shalvovich Chkhartishvili. He was born on May 20, 1956 in Zestafoni, Georgian SSR, in the family of an officer.
2 years after the birth of his son, Chkhartishvili moved to Moscow, where Grigory was educated. After graduating from school with an in-depth study of English, he entered the Moscow State University at the Department of History and Philology, where he studied Oriental languages.
After graduating from the university, Chkhartishvili was engaged in the translation of Japanese, English and American authors. His writing career began in 1998, when the novel Azazel was published - it was then that the famous pseudonym appeared. For a long time, the writer's works were published under the name “B. Akunin ”, and the decoding“ Boris Akunin ”arose only a few years later.
The pseudonym of the writer is associated with the author’s love for oriental languages - this is a Japanese word that can be translated as “villain”.
Akunin’s first novel about Nicholas Fandorin “Altyn Tolobas” was released in 2000. He fell in love with many fans.
Boris Akunin is twice married. His first wife was a Japanese woman, with whom they divorced after several years of marriage. The second wife is Erica Ernestovna. At the moment, the family lives in the Brittany region in the north-west of France.
Creativity: a series about Nicholas Fandorin "The Adventures of the Master." Altyn Tolobas
The cycle “The Adventures of the Master” is a sequel to the earlier series of Akunin’s novels “The Adventures of Erast Fandorin”. The main character is the grandson of Erast.
The series includes 4 books about Nicholas Fandorin. In order, they should be read as follows: “Altyn-Tolobas”, “Extracurricular Reading” (volumes 1 and 2), “F. M. " and Falcon and Swallow.
The first novel was released in 2000. According to the plot, the master of historical sciences Nicholas Fandorin arrives in Moscow. The purpose of his visit is to conduct research and find out information about the person who laid the foundation for their family - Cornelius von Dorn. It becomes known that in the 17th century a Dutch musketeer with this name came to the capital of Russia to serve. After that, many incredible events happened to him.
"Extracurricular reading"
The second novel about Nicholas Fandorin was published in 2002 in the form of two books: Extracurricular Reading and The Adventures of Mithridates. The plot takes place in two time intervals: in the present (2001) and in the past (1795).
The main character continues his research. This time he is studying the biography of his other ancestor - Danila Fandorin. A former freemason, and now a noble hermit, is the only one who can help Catherine the Great in the last year of her reign, when the Russian Empire is full of conspirators and schemers.
An important role in the narrative is also played by a seven-year-old boy named Mithridates. He witnesses a conspiracy against the empress and saves her from death, but puts himself in great danger. The life of Danila Fandorin is intertwined with the events taking place with this child.
"F. M. "
The next book about Nicholas Fandorin came out 4 years after "Extracurricular Reading." This time the action takes place in 2006 and 1865.
In the present, the reader will meet with the already familiar grandson of Erast Fandorin, and the protagonist of the past will be not just another ancestor, but the world-famous Russian author Fedor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky. This can be guessed by the name - the initials of the writer.
The task of Fandorin is to find the previously unknown manuscript of Fyodor Mikhailovich. This goal involves Nicholas in a dangerous and exciting adventure. An important role in the novel will be played by one of Dostoevsky's most popular works, Crime and Punishment.
"Falcon and Swallow"
The final novel of the cycle about Nicholas Fandorin was published in 2009. The events of the past 1702 are intertwined with the present.
The protagonist finds out about another great representative of the von Dorn family, who lived about three centuries ago. It is known that von Dorn from the distant past tried to find a treasure hidden on an island in the corsair seas. Nicholas Fandorin, despite the difference of 300 years, sets himself the goal of repeating the voyage of a relative and finding out where the Treasure Island is.
The Falcon and the Swallow will make the reader think of such cult works as The Children of Captain Grant and Robinson Crusoe. This work contains all the components of an ideal adventure novel: marine themes, treasure hunts and pirates.
Reader Reviews
Boris Akunin is a recognized master of historical detective story. Readers note that “The Adventures of the Master” is a worthy continuation of the cycle about Erast Fandorin.
Novels can be read both individually and as part of a series - in any case, they will be exciting and fascinating. A diverse language, vividly worked out images of characters, humor and a dynamic plot deserve to get acquainted with this series.