The Wizard of the Kremlin

Praise

“Gripping…an extraordinary story…this is a book about artifice and the manipulation of reality, and Baranov is such an entertaining raconteur that the reader quickly falls under his spell…the novel serves as a bracing refresher course on the key events of recent Russian history…[it] succeeds on its own terms as a work of fiction, but the fact that it’s rooted in reality adds a chill that lingers long after you have put it down.” —The Guardian

“A novel exploring the inner workings of [Putin’s] government that has captivated France…has become a popular guide for understanding [his] motives.” —New York Times

“This engaging novel offers a mental map of [educated Russians, especially those in power]…da Empoli…displays a remarkable ability to make his characters’ views seem realistic. His understanding of what transpires in the Kremlin is, for this reader, plausible, interesting, and often profound.” —Wall Street Journal 

“A captivating novel…The book was a sensation…for its insights into cold-blooded power.” —Financial Times, Best Books of the Year

“A sophisticated fictionalization of the reign of Vladimir Putin (the Tsar), from his rise to power to the war in Ukraine…Willard Wood’s translation…is an elegant read, bringing this fine work of imaginative perception to an English readership.” —Times Literary Supplement, Books of the Year
 
“Structured as a confessional, this novel probes the corrupting nature of power.” —New York Times Book Review

“In The Wizard of the Kremlin, the main character…thinks three moves ahead with a dash of clairvoyance as he accompanies Vladimir Putin’s ascendancy.” —Bloomberg, Best Books of the Year

“Empoli is a skilled storyteller and with such rich material to hand it is unsurprising that [The Wizard of the Kremlin] is compelling and convincing, fully deserving of its bestseller status…Its literary achievement elevates the novel above a reductive political analysis of the workings of the Kremlin, bringing it at times closer to Dostoevsky than an academic article or an op-ed.” —New Statesman

“A must-read for anyone wondering what Russian President Vladimir Putin is up to and what the Russian people have had to go through during his tenure…this powerful book…is a page-turner.” —Foreign Policy

“[This] riveting debut novel…uses real people and versions of their lives to try to understand—and warn about—the feral simplicity of Putin’s methods…the excellent Wizard of the Kremlin offers as good an insight as any into one of our world’s most volatile, corrupt, and dangerous dictators.” —Irish Examiner

“Hypnotic…smart, sharp, and timelier than ever…[a] fascinating fictional portrait of sycophants, strongmen, and manufactured reality.” —Shelf Awareness

“Part fiction and part freewheeling analysis, an insider’s look at the world of Vladimir Putin…an epic monologue…authoritative.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A fictional wandering through the dark corridors of the Kremlin.” —The Times (UK), The Biggest Books of the Season

“Putin and how, despite all his failures, he has continued to maintain his hold over Russia makes for fascinating subject-matter…an entertaining novel…engaging.” —Complete Review