The Winter Queen (novel)
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1998 |
| Founder | Boris Akunin |
| Products | Novel |
The Winter Queen (in Russian: Азазель) marks the inaugural novel of the Erast Fandorin series, a collection of historical detective stories penned by Russian author Boris Akunin. It carries the subtitle конспирологический детектив, which translates to "conspiracy mystery."
Plot summary
Set in 1876, the narrative opens with the apparent suicide of university student Pyotr Kokorin, an event observed by noblewoman Elizaveta von Evert-Kolokoltseva. Kokorin bequeaths his estate to the Astair House in Moscow, an international network of orphanages established by Lady Astair, an English aristocrat. The investigation is entrusted to 20-year-old detective Erast Fandorin, who soon develops feelings for Elizaveta. As Fandorin digs deeper, it emerges that Kokorin was engaged in a game of Russian roulette alongside fellow student Akhtyrtsev.
Tracking Akhtyrtsev leads Fandorin to Amalia Bezhetskaya, a mysterious dark-haired woman entangled with both men and Count Zurov, an officer in the Army. Discovering that Amalia instigated the lethal game, Fandorin witnesses Akhtyrtsev’s murder at the hands of a white-eyed assassin who utters "Azazel," linking the crime to a terrorist faction.
Detective Ivan Brilling assumes control of the case, suspecting Azazel’s involvement. Fandorin interviews Lady Astair, who seems uninvolved despite inheriting both victims’ fortunes. His inquiry then turns to Count Zurov, who discloses that Amalia has fled to London.
In London, Fandorin uncovers a roster of Azazel affiliates in Amalia’s possession but narrowly escapes after a confrontation. Following an abduction and near-fatal attack by Amalia’s associates, he is saved by Zurov, who confesses his jealousy toward Amalia.
Fandorin intercepts correspondence addressed to Azazel in St. Petersburg and identifies Gerald Cunningham, an Astair House educator linked to the group. Brilling kills Cunningham but is subsequently revealed as an Azazel operative; he dies during a struggle with Fandorin.
Back in Moscow, Fandorin deduces that Lady Astair heads Azazel, using her orphan institutions to train operatives for worldwide domination. She attempts to lobotomize Fandorin to recruit him but ultimately releases him after he vows not to pursue her “children.” She apparently ends her own life with a bomb.
Tasked with assisting in dismantling Azazel within Russia, Fandorin’s mission is overshadowed by tragedy on his wedding day to Elizaveta. A bomb kills his bride shortly after their marriage as he chases the white-eyed assassin, leaving him broken and forever altered.
Genesis and reception
Boris Akunin is the pseudonym of Grigory Chkartishvili, a Russian novelist and scholar also known for translating Japanese literature into Russian. He envisioned a series of detective novels exploring sixteen different genres within detective fiction; the Erast Fandorin saga was planned as a sixteen-book cycle. Fourteen volumes have been released in Russia; The Winter Queen is among five translated into English.
Upon its 1998 debut, The Winter Queen initially sold only around six thousand copies. Nevertheless, the fifth installment, Special Assignments, achieved bestseller status along with subsequent entries in the Fandorin series.
Film adaptations
The novel Azazel was adapted for Russian television in 2002 featuring Ilya Noskov as Fandorin; Akunin himself adapted his book into the screenplay.
In 2007, Fyodor Bondarchuk was announced as director for a prospective English-language film adaptation of Azazel, produced by Paul Verhoeven. The script was written by Gerard Soeteman, Verhoeven’s frequent collaborator. Dan Stevens was cast as Erast Fandorin, with Milla Jovovich portraying Amalia Bezhetskaya. Although filming was scheduled for summer 2007, it was postponed due to Jovovich’s pregnancy. After GFM merged with Seven Arts, plans resumed to shoot The Winter Queen beginning August 2011 at locations including London, Saint Petersburg, and Babelsberg Studios in Berlin. Ultimately, the film did not proceed into production.
Radio dramatization
From October 13 to October 24, 2003, a condensed rendition was broadcast on Book at Bedtime via BBC Radio 4, divided into ten episodes, each lasting 15 minutes.
References
External links
- BBC's World Book Club podcast featuring Boris Akunin discussing The Winter Queen
- January Magazine article titled "Muscovy Dick"
- The New York Times piece, "If Pushkin Had Written Mysteries"
- Review from Entertainment Weekly
- Leon Aron’s essay "A Champion for the Bourgeoisie: Reinventing Virtue and Citizenship in Boris Akunin's Novels"
- Full online Russian text of Azazel available on Akunin’s official site