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The Unpossessed City: A Novel
by
Jon Fasman
In this taut, atmospheric novel by the author of The New York Times bestseller The Geographer's Library, a young American finds himself adrift in Russia amid murderous bureaucrats, Central Asian mobsters, and a conspiracy to sell Soviet bioweapons to the highest bidder.
Jim Vilatzer was going nowhere; working in his parents' restaurant, sleeping in his childhood bedroom, u...more
Jim Vilatzer was going nowhere; working in his parents' restaurant, sleeping in his childhood bedroom, u...more
Hardcover, 320 pages
Published
October 30th 2008
by Penguin Press HC, The
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I loved Fasman's first novel, The Geographer's Library, and was looking forward to his next book.
Unfortunately, The Unpossesed City did not live up to my expectations. It's about an American on the lam in modern-day Moscow who unwittingly becomes involved in an espionage ring with some very corrupt Russians and a beautiful woman.
I didn't mind the formula, but the plot was completely disjointed. Villians introduced in the first couple of chapters didn't reappear until so much later that I had co...more
Unfortunately, The Unpossesed City did not live up to my expectations. It's about an American on the lam in modern-day Moscow who unwittingly becomes involved in an espionage ring with some very corrupt Russians and a beautiful woman.
I didn't mind the formula, but the plot was completely disjointed. Villians introduced in the first couple of chapters didn't reappear until so much later that I had co...more
I don't recommend this book. The story is interesting, but very poorly executed. The book is like a half-edited draft. Some of the characters are well developed, some of the plot works smoothly and flows from one event to the next; on the other hand, some characters are barely developed and therefore incredibly implausible, parts of the plot barely make sense and completely break all bounds of plausibility. The book's strengths as far as I can tell are its commentary on life in Moscow, Russian t...more
Beautifully written and paced, and so descriptive. While it's termed an "international thriller," I honestly felt that this was much more a character study of Jim, and a look into Post-Soviet Russia itself; with the thriller part thrown in for extra interest. One particular quote really caught my interest, as it's very descriptive of how I feel about my job sometimes. I've come back to it several times now: Jim is talking of his boss and how she deals with the survivors of the Russian labor camp...more
Given the other reviews, which differ from mine substantially, I feel I should explain. It was a decent book, written with empathy and experience. But I felt that it was bouncing between journalism and literature from one paragraph to the next. In fact, it could have been two books: the story of Jim purely from his perspective, OR the story of contemporary Russia (and more specifically Moscow, which is practically a different country from St. Petersburg) told through the many intricate character...more
This story was a little bit mystery, a little bit thriller, and a couple of other things I can't quite put a name on. The main character was fairly likeable, and there were some interesting secondary characters. At first it was little difficult for me to keep track of who was who, but it became easier and more clear as the story went on. Like most other books that I have read with Russia as the setting, it makes me want to travel there, but it also scares me to travel there. Overall, a pretty in...more
I'm not the biggest fan of "thrillers", but I am a fan of "loveable loser" or "just plain losers" and that's what I liked about this one. Guy on the run from gambling debts goes to Moscow to work on a project collecting oral histories from labor camp survivors. The descriptions of Moscow are really interesting...and make me never want to visit there.
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An uninspired-going nowhere guy has to flee his home in Maryland where he lives to get away from some gambling debts. He decides to go to Russia as he knows the language. He ends up really liking being there, but becomes entangled in a case of espionage (unbeknown to him). So he has to decide what to do next. It was an ok read.
Another nice read, especially if you like to read about 'Moscow' and Russia. A few nice twists in the book, but the first half was slow going, but then it really picked up in the second half. The main character was from Rockville, Maryland, which also gave it some attraction in that I lived there twice during my moves with GE. When you know an area it certainly is easier to visualize the environment. Also got an inspiration from the novel to check out a few things, which is a 'secret' project fo...more
I liked this book a lot, perhaps even more than it deserves, which was true of his last book, too. The plot in both cases is sort of a flimsy thing, upon which is hung something atmospheric and interesting. The love interest, in both cases, is more of an idea than an actual person. The narrator, though, in both cases, convinces you that there's more to him than is ever revealed, and I think that's why I like these books.
I don't agree with all the people on gr who had problems with this book. I found it to be a very accessible and (towards the end) fast-moving Russian corruption/spy-ey type book. I give it a big Dah!
A fascinating look into today's Russia as seen by an American-Russian man trying to escape his debts due to card playing and start over again in a new place and a new job.
Made me want to pick up DeMille's Charm School again, not really anything like it except for the Russian aspect. Very good young writer.
Reading this book now and enjoying it. It is about a 32 year old guy from Washington, DC area. One minute he is working in his Dad's delicatessen and the next he is on his way to Moscow for a job interviewing former political prisoners of the former Soviet Union. It is full of characters who will intrigue you. I will let reader know my score and whether I really liked the book when I finish it. I am savoring the book and not devouring it as I usually do with books. The Unpossessed City: A Novel
I thought it was an OK book. It started to get really interesting about 2/3 of the way through and (without giving too much away) I wish the author further developed the storyline that added that twist at about that point. I also was left a little unsatisfied - I didn't feel that the author took us full circle where I really wanted him to. I didn't feel there was a good ending.
Jun 24, 2009
Elizabeth
is currently reading it
If this book is half as good as Fasman's first book (The Geographer's Library) it will be a major enjoyment.
A fun read that provides a nice feel for Moscow and Russion culture
Was completely disinterested in the book until page 188...shouldn't an author try and hook you a little sooner.
I suppose I'll slug it out until I'm finished, but I can't recommend this to anyone. Go read Le Carre instead.
I suppose I'll slug it out until I'm finished, but I can't recommend this to anyone. Go read Le Carre instead.
Jan 26, 2009
Cami
marked it as unfinished
You know, it's really too cold outside to be reading about Russia in the winter.
This story has interesting premise but I was a little disappointed in that the story to me differed from what the book cover led me to expect. Also, there was one character that I didn't like and their interactions with the protagonist didn't seem believable. I was slightly dissatisfied with the ending as well. Overall, I would give this just an ok.
Boring
I only vaguely remember the Geographer's Library, and I am guessing there is a reason why: it was kind of boring. I did finish it, however. I could not get into this book enough to finish it, though. I liked the description of Moscow and Russia, but the plot was flimsy and the characters were not interesting (to me). Perhaps if I had made myself keep reading, it would have improved, but since I am writing a dissertation, that's not an option.
I got that Cold War feeling, it kept me guessing until the end, btw I finished this book 3 years ago, just forgot my password.
An enjoyable different read
May 18, 2013
Chris
marked it as to-read
May 06, 2013
Raluca
marked it as to-read
Mar 31, 2013
Marty
marked it as to-read
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| murderous bureaucrats, | 1 | 4 | Dec 03, 2008 05:22pm |
I am the author of "The Geographer's Library" (2005) and "The Unpossessed City" (2008), both published by The Penguin Press.
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