New novel inspired by Anna Politkovskaia
A new novel titled The Vengeance of Anna P. by Jean-François Bouthors has been published, drawing inspiration from the legacy of Anna Politkovskaia, the investigative journalist who was assassinated in 2006. The book uses the voice of Politkovskaia to comment on the current war in Ukraine and the evolution of Russian power. Published by Noir sur Blanc, the novel was released in October 2026.Politkovskaia's legacy in the novel
Anna Politkovskaia was known for her critical stance against Russian government policies, particularly her critiques of Vladimir Putin, whom she nicknamed "Akaki Akakievitch," a reference to a character from Nikolai Gogol's short story The Overcoat. The novel continues this critique by extending the narrative of the character to the present day, exploring the transformations of Russian totalitarianism.Literary and political themes
The book is described as both a novel and a political essay, drawing on the intertextuality of Russian literature and the works of authors such as Chekhov, Gogol, Mandelstam, Bulgakov, Tsvetaeva, and Akhmatova. It includes a character, Lioudmila Ossipovna, a literature professor who seeks to transmit the authentic soul of Russia to the youth. Through her, the novel explores the history of Ukraine and critiques Putin's policies.Historical and political deconstruction
The novel also addresses the reader directly, inviting them to understand both the past and the present of Russian politics. It deconstructs the historical narrative of Russian power, discussing the transition from Soviet communism to a form of capitalism directed by the KGB, and the role of figures such as Mikhail Gorbachev and Yuri Andropov.References to Politkovskaia's work
The book includes references to Politkovskaia's works, including Chechnya, the Russian Shame and Russia According to Putin, which were translated into French and published by Buchet-Chastel. The novel also imagines the future of the war in Ukraine and the potential fate of Putin, suggesting a reversal of power.A layered political and literary work
The novel is described as a well-written and richly layered work, combining fiction with political analysis, and it seeks to highlight the relevance of Politkovskaia's critiques in the current context of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict.
