In a way, it frames some of the archetypical themes of science fiction and contact novels without ever giving definitive answers one way or another, providing food for thought and chilling considerations over preachy answers and delusions. I found myself impressed and teased time and again by all its little implications and large questions.

Roadside Picnic is a hugely expressive novel in all its intended ambiguity and rendition of hard lives all around.

'This is the sort of book that you read and then immediately feel the need to lend it to someone you know so that they can experience and enjoy it themselves. The story captured my heart and held my attention' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Once I started reading it today, I couldn't stop.

'A beautifully depressive and wonderfully atmospheric science fiction novel about life on Earth after an alien 'Visitation' that leaves humans with more questions than answers. Like many great books, the meaning of the ending is left up to the reader' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'The tone of the book is akin to that of some noir works, dark, gritty, getting darker and grittier as the tale wears on. 'A fantastic and creative exploration of what first contact might be like' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ A must read for any sci-fi fan' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'It is a thought-provoking, hard-to-put down masterpiece, most probably the best introduction to Soviet science fiction. 'Such an intriguing setting for me, such an unusual take on alien interaction' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ It still speaks to me' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'A story of a horrific yet fascinating place, a story of an ordinary and unlikable man just trying to get by, a philosophical interlude on humanity and its significance or lack thereof, of greed and wonder, and the fever dream of the soul scream. Readers can't stop thinking about Roadside Picnic: And it is for her that Red makes his last, tragic foray into the hazardous and hostile depths. Even the nature of his daughter has been determined by the Zone. His life is dominated by the Zone and the thriving black market in the alien products. Red Schuhart is a stalker, one of those strange misfits who are compelled by some unknown force to venture illegally into the Zone and, in spite of the extreme danger, collect the mysterious artefacts that the alien visitors left scattered around. The Strugatsky brothers' poignant and introspective novel of first contact that inspired the classic film Stalker

Strugatsky goodreads