Domestic war fiction has always been a popular genre in Russia. Belyaev, Efremov, and, of course, the immortal Strugatsky brothers ... Soviet people, deprived of Western masterpieces, were eagerly read by the domestic. With the advent of access to world literature, interest in Russian authors has not faded, but has become more selective. The classics of Western science fiction - Le Guin, Alfred van Vogt, Azimov, Heinlein - set the bar high, and Russian authors had to write at a very high level to maintain reader interest. One of such masters of contemporary Russian science fiction was Roman Zlotnikov.
Biography before
Zlotnikov Roman Valerievich was born in a small town in the Nizhny Novgorod region of Sarov (then it was a closed military city called Arzamas-16). A few years later, the family of the future writer moved to Obninsk. Having successfully graduated from high school there in 1980, he immediately enrolled in the SKVI - Saratov Military Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. After graduating from it four years later, he left at the destination with the rank of lieutenant. We are sure that the years of service are of great interest to fans of this writer. What was Roman Zlotnikov like? His biography contains many interesting facts, and military service, in his own words, gave him many plot moves and original characters.
In 1992, the military began to gradually reduce, and the officers began to retrain as sellers and security guards. According to the writer himself, it was a very difficult and difficult period to understand when all ideas and priorities were replaced by completely new ones. Zlotnikov Roman Valerievich, extremely annoyed by the processes taking place in the army, wrote a critical feuilleton in a military-oriented magazine under the poetic name âAt a military postâ.
From this moment, you can start the countdown, since the work was printed, and Zlotnikov Roman Valerievich âofficiallyâ became a writer. The article, and then a short story - the matter went, but the army authorities categorically did not like Zlotnikovâs creative successes, and the future writer transferred to the Obninsk branch of the VIPK MVD in the specialties âPsychologyâ and âFire Trainingâ.
Creative success
Where did Roman Zlotnikov begin? Samizdat, science fiction magazines - all this is in the past, and now he is one of the most sought-after and popular authors of domestic combat science fiction of recent years. It is distinguished not only by magnificent, carefully prescribed fantasy worlds, but also by beautiful plot moves, vivid and memorable characters. The battles and battles of Zlotnikov are so realistic, and the spaceships and weapons of the future are so thought out that the impression of a "look into the future" is created.
Zlotnikovâs creative style can be described with the common phrase âthrough thorns to the starsâ. The main character, who, as a rule, is described by Roman V. Zlotnikov, finds himself in an extremely difficult situation, impossible for an ordinary person. Under the influence of external conditions, he develops into a true hero and leader, capable of masterly shooting from a blaster himself and winning grandiose space battles.
The most famous book series
- The cycle "Eternal". In this series of books, Roman Zlotnikov describes the fantastic world of the future, in which mankind, settled on a multitude of planets (but retaining the division into states), is fighting for survival with a multispecies alien civilization, ruled by an ancient race called the Scarlet Princes. The main character, Yves, nicknamed Lucky at the beginning of the series, is one of the ordinary noble dons (a very transparent hint of the Strugatsky) - a caste of professional soldiers who have dedicated their lives to fighting the Enemy. With the development of the plot, he turns into one of the leaders of mankind and part-time Eternal - a semi-legendary immortal character, with the help of a mithril blade defeating all enemies, and also from time to time, communicating with the Creator.
- The cycle "Berserkers". As an author, Roman Zlotnikov in this series found a rather interesting development of the classic story about the capture of the land of an alien civilization. Mighty Kanskebrons, technologically immeasurably superior to earthlings, capture and destroy all the states of the Earth, having driven most of the population into reservations, called "puppeteers". The only ones who retained the remnants of technology are the âpeople of the caponiers,â the remnants of the military who have turned into a semi-closed caste. Despite this, there was no chance of recapturing the planet from earthlings until unusual warriors were discovered. For their amazing combat capabilities, as well as the ability to predict the future, they were called berserkers ...
- The cycle "Gron". The KGB colonel, Kazimir Pushkevich, who lived a long, interesting and adventurous life, dies in the fight against criminals ... in order to be reborn in the new world! Once in the body of the mentally retarded teenager Gron, Casimir uses all his skills and knowledge to take his rightful place. But they will not give him a quiet life - the ancient order pursues and kills all aliens who are foreigners. To stay alive (and then save this world), Pushkevich creates a powerful military order "Corps" and with his help destroys his enemies. But his adventures do not end there - having won, he dies, but again moves to the "beautiful new world", and everything starts all over again.
In addition to the above, other works of the author are also popular:
1. The series "Tsar Fedor" (alternative story): "Another chance", "The eagle spreads its wings", "The eagle soars up."
2. The series " Earthling " (science fiction): "Earthling", "Earthling. Step to the stars", "Earthling. In the service of the Great House."
3. Fantasy Arwendale : Arwendale, Duke of Arwendale, Emperor of the People.
4. Separate works "The time of the call. We need princes, not tati" (social science fiction), "The transition point" (mysticism), "Russian fairy tales" (alternative history), etc.
5. Tales and stories "An unexpected meeting", "Cup", "Not only money."
In addition, Zlotnikov worked in collaboration with other writers. As a result, readers have an excellent opportunity to enjoy the following cycles of wonderful works: The Universe of Losers , Lennar , Retaliation , Hunting the Hunter , etc.
Monarchism in the works of Zlotnikov ...
There is another feature that distinguishes Zlotnikov Roman Valerevich. All books of the author mention monarchism, either indirectly or directly endorsing it. The fidelity, honor, and dignity of aristocratic officers â hereditary or ânew convertsâ (like the noble dons from the Eternal) - run through most of the plot lines. Not idealizing the monarchical system, Zlotnikov, nevertheless, makes it clear that he considers it better than democracy or the republic.
The authorâs conviction and talent are so strong that you involuntarily start thinking about the âstellar future of the Earthâ, only in the imperial spirit. In fact, Zlotnikov is not alone in "cosmic monarchism" - Perumov, Lukyanenko, and many other writers often put princes, counts, and representatives of other noble estates into the cabin of warships.
... and moralizing retreats
Roman Valerievich often makes veiled or direct digressions in his books, in which he expresses his position regarding the male path and the qualities necessary for this. This can be traced to the writer's painful attitude to the change in moral principles that occurs after perestroika. In recent books, there are more such deviations, although this does not affect the quality of books.
Awards and prizes
Zlotnikov is one of the most titled Russian science fiction writers. âAelitaâ in 2008 and 2013, âBastionâ in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2011, âMoon Rainbowâ, âRosConâ, âSilver Arrowâ, and âElectronic Letterâ - the writer's books find a warm response in the hearts of not only fans, but also literary critics.