The Beetle in the Anthill

Arkady Strugatsky, Boris Strugatsky, Olena Bormashenko, Boris Strugatsky, Olena Bormashenko

• Publisher: Chicago Review Press
• Year: 2023
• eBook ISBN: 9781641606806
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Science Fiction
• Index: Literature

A classic Soviet science fiction novel of moral ambiguity and hidden agendas, now in a vivid new translation.

In the twenty-second century, Maxim Kammerer investigates threats to Earth as part of COMCON-2. He must track down Lev Abalkin, a "progressor" who has returned from a mission gone wrong. Is Abalkin a danger, or a victim of misunderstanding?

As Kammerer delves deeper, he uncovers a web of secrets and difficult choices. This updated translation by Olena Bormashenko explores themes of ethical intervention and the burden of knowledge. For readers of science fiction, Soviet literature, and philosophical explorations of humanity.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• June 1, '78 - Maxim Kammerer, COMCON-2 employee
• June 1, '78 - A Few Things About Lev Abalkin, Progressor
• June 1, '78 - A Brief Note About the Contents of the Folder
• June 1, '78 - Almost Everything About Lev Abalkin's Possible Connections
• June 1, '78 - Lev Abalkin's Teacher
• June 1, '78 - A Little Incident Involving Yadviga Mikhailovna
• From Lev Abalkin's Report
• June 2, '78 - Maya Glumova, Lev Abalkin's Girlfriend
• June 2, '78 - Maya Glumova and Journalist Kammerer
• June 2, '78 - Osinushka: Dr. Goannek
• June 2, '78 - Cottage Six
• June 2, '78 - Excellentz's Unexpected Reaction
• From Lev Abalkin's Report
• June 2, '78 - Lev Abalkin Firsthand
• June 2, '78 - A Few Hypotheses About Lev Abalkin's Intentions
• June 2, '78 - A Brief Conversation
• June 2, '78 - A Couple Things About Secrets
• From Lev Abalkin's Report
• June 3, '78 - Maya Glumova Again
• June 3, '78 - A Few Things About Excellentz's Impressions
• June 3, '78 - An Outpost on the Thelon River
• June 3, '78 - Puppen-Itrich, Bighead
• June 3, '78 - Excellentz Is Pleased
• June 4, '78 - The Museum of Extraterrestrial Cultures, Night
• June 4, '78 - Isaac Bromberg: Battle of the Iron Elders
• June 4, '78 - Lev Abalkin at Dr. Bromberg's
• The Secret of Lev Abalkin's Identity
• The Mystery of Lev Abalkin's Identity (Continued)
• June 4, '78 - A Discussion of the Situation
• June 4, '78 - Lev Abalkin in the Flesh
• June 4, '78 - Operation Completed
• Afterword - By Boris Strugatsky