Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory, by Yaroslav Barsukov
31 Aug 2024The Book
Synopsis:
Sleeping Worlds Have No Memoryis a mesmerizing journey through a world where the extraordinary becomes the ordinary. The novel unfolds in a realm where the past and the present intertwine, crafting a narrative that is as enchanting as it is thought-provoking. At the heart of the story is a compelling exploration of memory and its profound impact on our identities and relationships. The characters are richly developed, each grappling with their own intricate histories and secrets that gradually unravel as the plot progresses.
Barsukov's mastery in world-building is evident throughout the novel. He creates a vivid and detailed universe that feels both familiar and entirely new, drawing the reader into a world where the boundaries between reality and imagination blur. The storytelling is immersive, combining elements of fantasy, science fiction, and drama in a seamless and captivating way. The prose is lyrical and evocative, making every scene resonate with emotion and depth.
Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory is a remarkable achievement, a book that offers both an exhilarating adventure and a profound meditation on the human condition. It's a must-read for anyone who loves stories that not only entertain but also challenge and inspire. Barsukov's unique voice and imaginative storytelling make this novel a standout in the genre, a work that will linger in readers' minds long after the final page is turned.
My Review
Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory is a mesmerizing science fantasy novel written by Yaroslav Barsukov (using his previous The Tower of Mud and Straw novella as the base for it), and which will be published by CAEZIK SF & Fantasy. A thought-provoking story that, through a quasi lyrical prose, opens the reflection on themes that rabidly present nowadays while giving us a cast of compelling characters thrown into an imaginative world.
Shea Ashcroft, a minister that fell in disgrace after refusing to use violence against the mob, is sent to supervise the construction of an immense defensive tower which has been falling behind schedule; a task that soon proves to be difficult as the local Duke and his clique form a closed group that will diametrically oppose to the inherence of outside people, such as Ashcroft. The political game will soon prove to be an extremely risky one to play, a difficult balance that will also include Shea's contacts with the other characters that will act as narrators for the story: Brielle and Lena; Brielle, the engineer behind the construction, and Lena, who will give us a unique perspective on the Tower and its risks.
But if the exterior is a complex political thriller about the power balance, and the prize of ambition, inside is where the actual substance it is; not only Barsukov puts his best into oniric passages that happen as a consequence of plot development, but after that, he unleashes a powerful message over how tyrannies and wars bring over the low people the worst consequences, including a really interesting thought about how refugee are, by definition, people that have been stripped of their home and their homeland.
Barsukov's prose is another of the highlights of the book; it might feel dense at points due to how it borders the lyrical, but reading it is an enjoyable experience. The inclusion of gorgeous world paintings adds another layer of beauty over the reader, creating vivid images that contrasts with the flashbacks moments that are more dreamlike, showing the porous nature of memory.
Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory is, simply, an excellent and though provoking novel, a memorable experience if you are looking for a different kind of science fantasy; Barsukov proves his ability to weave worlds through words, with a novel that will stay with me for a long time.
