Metro 2033

This review is for the novel Metro 2033 written by Dmitry Glukhovsky. The video game based on this book is one of my three favorite video games of all time... the other two being Half-Life 2 series and the Stalker series (until recently, Fallout was on that list). After many hours playing the video game I decided to read the novel. I was not sure what to expect. I am giving my impressions below. I will also let you know how similar it is to the video game in a section below (COMPARISON OF BOOK AND VIDEO GAME.) PLOT: The basic premise is that there has been a nuclear war and what's left of mankind is living in subways (probably throughout the world but nobody is quite sure.) Obviously it is the year 2033. This story takes place in the subways below Moscow. Artyom, who was a young boy at the time of the nuclear war, is the main star of the story. He is now grown up and early on he relays the story to a mysterious stalker (stalker is a very loose translation, it real means more like guide/tracker/trail blazer/fortune seeker, etc.), named Hunter, about how he opened up a way into the Metro as a young boy for whatever is out there. What's out there are mutants and/or animals that are mutated and maybe something else. Hunter, just back from his latest excursion, is getting prepared to go back out again when he gives Artyom a mission to complete. If he does not come back within a short period of time, he is to go to the Metro city of 'Polis' and seek out another Stalker, named Melnik, and give him a message. That's the basic premise but the story is much more involved than that. The story is about a journey, much the same way that Lord of the Rings is about a journey. You wouldn't summarize 'Lord of the Rings' by calling it a story about a group of halflings that take a trip across the continent to get to Mount Doom. COMMENTS: -Not all of the sentences make perfect sense. This novel is a translation from Russian and there are some inconsistencies. Occasionally something is lost in the translation. -The book is fairly long, almost 500 pages in novel form. At times it does slow down but the story is always interesting. The characters spend a lot of time philosophizing about various aspects of life and life in the metro in general. While I find some of the discussions drag on at times, ultimately these discussions add to the story. *****IMPORTANT***** A WORD ABOUT THE MAP OF THE METRO: There are some good maps of the underground on the internet. Use google. Some maps will show you the path that Artyom takes while others will give you the coordinates and alternate names of the stations. This is 'important' because the map in the book does not always follow the names in the story. The map provided in the book is the map that Artyom is carrying in the story. Artyom, at first, is unaware that his map is dated and incomplete. Therefore, if you follow along with Artyom and his map, you will become bewildered. As the story progresses, Artyom discovers that there are other stations he doesn't know about. So do yourself a favor and have one ready when you are ready to read this book! COMPARISON OF BOOK AND VIDEO GAME: The main story is roughly the same in the book and game but in reality it is not the same at all. At it's very basic, it is the same story, but how you get to the main locations is very different. Imagine, if you will... that two people were given the same basic one page outline of a story along with the basic personalities of the characters. They are then given a map of the Metro with the path that Artyom must take. Those two people are then told to write a story based on the information given to them in the outline. What you would get would be two stories that would sound the same if you summarized them but the 'meat' of the story would be quite different. That's how I would describe the difference in the story between the book and video game. PLOT SUMMARY: You start out at the same location in both the book and video game. The story starts the same and your mission is the same. Hunter arrives early on and tells Artyom that he is heading back out. He tells Artyom that if he does not return within a short period of time to leave his home and get to Polis, find Melnik and give him a message. The story of the Dark Ones, the secret underground railroad and the ending is also pretty close to the same (though not quite as adventurous as in the video game). But just about everything else in between is at the same time quite similar and very different. THE METRO UNDERGROUND: It is basically the same as in the video game. The main difference is that you will visit more locations on the map and spend more time at each location you visited in the video game. As I noted above, Artyom is carrying a map that is not up to date. This is the map that you see in your book. You will find the true map online by doing a simple search. THE CHARACTERS: You will meet most, if not all, of the characters that you meet in the video game. The characters personalities that you meet in the video game will have the same basic personalities as in the book. However, you will meet many more characters in the book. Some of the characters you meet will leave you wondering if they are real or imaginary. It's possible that some of these characters are products of the Underground's mysterious machinations. -Be prepared for some lengthy discussions. Some of them are very philosophical. -The discussions and/or experiences that Artyom has with the characters will have some similarities to the discussions in the video game but these discussions will go into much more depth. THE FACTIONS: If you have played the 'Metro 2033' video games, you will know that there are a bunch of different factions in the underground. In fact, just by looking at an online map, you will see that there are quite a few more that exist. You don't see many of them in the video games and some of these factions are only talked about in the book. Among those you will encounter will be mostly the same that you meet in the video game. Hansa (Leaders of the ring stations), the Fourth Reich and the Red Line are among those you will meet (but not the only ones). THE DARK ONES/OTHER CREATURES: The story of the Dark Ones is essentially the same in the novel as in the video game. Most of the creatures that you encounter are very similar to what is depicted in the video game, however you will meet a few other unusual beings. HOW ABOUT THE SEQUEL?: After reading this you will be ready for the next book, 'Metro 2034'. Artyom is a very minor character (UPDATE: This is not the same character, it's just another person with the name of Artyom) in 'Metro 2034.' Instead, we have a new lead character, an old man who was a train engineer before the war. Hunter, even though he drives the story, is in reality, just a minor character in Metro '2033'. He is a major character in 'Metro 2034', however he will seem quite different. You will be seeing a lot of him and that is a good thing. Hunter has been badly disfigured but somehow seems almost superhuman in this novel. This story, as of yet, has not had a game made based on it. Neither, 'Metro: Last Light' or 'Metro: Exodus' are based on this novel. 'Metro 2035' is the book that the second 'Metro 2033' video game, 'Metro 2033: Last Light' is based on. CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS: 5 stars. Definitely one of the best post-apocalyptic stories written. I strongly recommend this book for fans of post-apocalyptic fiction. It is one of the best. I rarely read a book twice. I did so with this one. If you are reading this because you are a fan of the video games and you are thinking of reading the book, I would strongly recommend you do so. I had the book on my shelf for quite some time before I finally read it. The dark, oppressive tone of the game is the same in the novel. It will draw you in the same way the game does. Highly recommended for fans of the video game. Highly recommended for fans of science fiction in general. Aside from the two sequels as of the time of this review (Metro 2034 and Metro 2035), there are also numerous other novels by other authors that have been written that take place in different parts of the world based in the same universe. Also as of the time of this review, unfortunately, none of these have been released in English. There has been one graphic novel that I know of based on the Metro Universe called 'The Outpost' and it takes place in the United States.

Metro 2033 attempts to take a genre filled to the brim with generic stories and create a new and exciting perspective. For the most part it succeeds. By telling the story from a Russian perspective the author exposes the reader to ideas and customs not often heard of in American literature. Its story is creepy and feels like a genuine representation of what a post apocalyptic society would function like. This is why the story succeeds, and its supernatural elements are done extremely well and do not feel out of place. Metros strength is in its atmosphere and situations it creates. The main character Artyom is forced unto a quest whose goal does not become clear till the later third of the book. This allows the book to focus on the world around Artyom and the journey to find out the true purpose of his mission. Many of the factions in the Metro mimic real life nations with some being strictly capitalist while others adopting stricter doctrines such as communism or Fascism. The author takes these factions from real life influences but adds a unique spin to them. For example the Nazi party believes that pure blood Russians are the master race while the Nazi party of 1940’s Germany believed in German superiority. This is present throughout the book, where many of the people trapped in the metro adopt religions and doctrines from the real world but with limited information about it decide to create their own principles. The stations in Metro serve as a “safe zone” for travelers. But due to the ever present threat of rival factions and creatures the reader is never fully at peace even when Artyom is in a friendly environment. One aspect the book does well is making the reader ever tense and on edge. The book develops a sense of ever present danger and make the calmer chapters a welcome change for the reader. This is a great aspect because the reader feels the tension of the protagonist and is able to be more immersed in the book. Overall the book is well written, and the reader will rarely get bored. One issue is the book can feel a bit long since it take so long for the main quest to start. Its a refreshing step away from generic post apocalyptic fiction and tackles a smaller more personal story then books such as The Passage or The Stand. I highly recommend this book to those tired of the genre and in need of a unique perspective.

This is probably one of the most unique books I've read in a long time. An excellent post-nuclear apocalyptic setting based around the world that formed in the Russian metro after civilization is destroyed (for those that don't know, we have duck and cover while the Russians have run-like-hell-to-the-subway-within-20mins-or-your-screwed). The story and setting are very dark and bleak, the element of the dreadful unknown is perfectly done throughout the book. The characters are interesting and unique and the different groups are well done. When reading the book I could really feel and get into the claustrophobic setting and dismal atmosphere of the book, something I can not say very often. This is one of my favorite sci-fi/horror/post-apocalyptic books of all time. I liked it so much I bought the video game (I'm not much of a gamer either). Despite a packed and oft done genre, Metro manages to be an incredibly unique take with a well done and engaging plot. That said, it is a very dark Russian novel with a reoccurring theme of the inhumanity of man after the break down of civil order, is often nihilistic and hopeless so those sensitive to such things or who need some shred of optimism or hope in their post-apocalypse stories beware. Also, important to note is that it's not an action packed book. The book was certainly thrilling to me but the story is built largely around character interactions and dialogue which can be dense in a few places. There are plenty of heavily armed characters and battles, especially towards the end of the book but it isn't the intense fast-paced conflict fans of the video game might be looking for. Only four stars because of the translation. It is replete with grammatical errors (and I'm not being nit picky here, it is very noticeable). It's nothing as bad as a bad Chinese martial arts film subtitled translation, but frequently there are sentences that are clumsy and occasionally ones that require a careful reading to discern what they're trying to say. In my reading it was only a mild problem, every now and then I'd have to read over a sentence again or laugh to myself at the error. However, I lent it to a friend who couldn't get past the first few chapter because of the error laden dialogue.

I came to Metro 2033 after playing the game first, curious to learn more about the world that sucked me in. I quickly realized the book is very different from the game, and in a good way. Where the game leans on suspense and action, the book slows down and builds out an eerie, detailed vision of post-nuclear Moscow’s metro system. It’s shrouded in mystery, layered with supernatural touches, and has a level of suspense that keeps you hooked. What stood out most for me was the sheer depth of the world and the different types of people Artyom encounters. The book really captures the struggle of humanity trying to survive, adapt, and make sense of life in the tunnels after an apocalypse. It dives into philosophical themes about existence, survival, and human nature, things the game could only hint at. Sometimes it does slow down in these moments, but I actually enjoyed the more thoughtful, horror-tinged pacing. That said, if you’re expecting nonstop firefights like in the game, this might feel a little slower than you’d want. There are definitely tense and thrilling moments, but the focus is more on atmosphere and ideas than pure action. Still, I think that’s what makes it such a powerful read. Whether you’ve played the game or not, Metro 2033 is worth picking up. It’s part thriller, part mild horror, and part deep dive into what humanity might become after the end of the world.

Many may have come to this book after playing the game. I was fortunate enough to read this masterpiece prior the game's release. Let's get started. First off, for those coming from the game, you'll find that the game follows the book fairly well story-wise. The things Artyom does that leads to the next event are pretty much the same as they were in the book. However, the book has many things that the game does not. First of all, readers will find that the universe presented in the book is far darker, more foreboding, and significantly more personal than that of the game. Artyom's character development goes a long way, and once you reach the end of the book, his final actions will tug viciously on the readers' heartstrings. That is not to say, however, that the other characters are well thought-out. Aside from Khan and his step father, none of the characters in the book seem to have any true depth and are rather faceless characters that are just there to help Artyom do what he has to, and more often than not, these characters will die in horrific or mysterious ways before the reader can establish an emotional attachment to them. Also, near the end of the book, spelling and grammar gets a bit clunky, but that is most likely due to the translation from Russian to English. Also, the book is NOT ACTION PACKED. The Oh-So-Feared nosalises presented in the game don't make the slightest appearance in the book aside from a brief mention. In fact, very little mutant creatures are around at all. The book is mostly story and lore up until the climactic ending. Aside from a few short-comings, Metro 2033 is a must read for anyone in the world. Not only is it a dark and personal story of one man's journey to save what's left of humanity after the catastrophic nuclear apocalypse, but it is also a mysterious novel filled with fantastic character interactions, amazing detail, and a breathtakingly original story. Metro 2033 is by far the best book I have ever had the pleasure of reading, and by all means, I suggest everyone read it. However, overly religious people be warned - there are points in the story where the author clearly has characters proclaim that God, Allah, the afterlife, etc. is not real. If that disturbs you, then don't pick up the book. If you aren't a religious nutcase, then go for it!

Whether it's considered truly to be a horror novel or not, Glukhovsky's masterpiece is an instant classic for the genre. Set in the ruined remains of the Moscow Metro subway system twenty years after the end of the war that left Earth an uninhabitable shamble, young Artyom, a citizen of the VDNKh station, sets out on a mission to save his station and the whole Metro from an inhuman threat. I'll keep this spoiler free for you out there. This book is a hard read, but the reason for that is all a part of the frightening and oppressive mood the story is trying to set for the reader. To be honest the book has a very harsh and dystopian feel far more than any other novel of its kind I've ever read. The Metro feels dark and foreboding as the main character moves through it and his experiences are nothing short of terrifying. Each station has its own government, social structure, and feeling. The main character's home of VDNKh is homey but still a dark and dank place where the inhabitants live in constant fear of being wiped out by rats, other factions from different stations, or the newly emerging "Dark Ones". The city of Polis is a grand and beautiful city, but ruled by two oppressive classes that can't agree. The "Red" Line. The Fascists. Many many others. All of them coalesce into this sinister dank puddle of humanity that brings out both your anger and pity for the denizens of this subterranean hell. The book is a long hard slog because of its dystopian and oppressively dark tone but all is revealed in the ending. Believe me, it's an ending that will make your head spin. In terms of writing and the way the story is presented a reader might think, "When will the madness end?" as they read. This is all a credit to the writer stringing the reader along to feel this way and it does pay off at the end, with a bang. So if you decide to read this book, stick with it until the very end. You won't be disappointed. The fantastic story by Dmitry Glukhovsky is one for any post-apocalyptic or horror junkie to add a special place on their shelves for.

Let's just get the big problem out of the way first: if you're buying this Kindle version of this book, the formating and translation quality is atrocious. It's not just one thing: it's a whole lot of things that compound together to make some paragraphs almost unreadable, and some scenes extremely confusing. Paragraph breaks are rare (like maybe 10% or less of the book); paragraph indentations are non-existent (making some verbal conversations in the book impossible to understand due to poorely related attribution of spoken statements); some sentences have 4, 5, even 6 words smashed together as one word; and of course, there's plenty of grammatical errors and what I suspect to be bad translations. This alone warrants a 2 star reduction on any rating of this book. Even with all that said, though, the book is fairly good. I suspect that, like many others, I came to this book after playing the game of the same name. To say the game was shockingly original, poignant, and soulful is something of an understatement, and while it's far from perfect, it's something of a work of art. This book is largely the same in many ways, and doesn't hide the fact that it borrows inspiration from things like Homer's The Odyssey or classic adventure stories like Lord of The Rings. It's not a story that is so much about the details (as in, smashing you upside the head with some kind of "whoa, cool" factor). Instead, it's more of a wandering philosophical tale about the rise and fall of humanity, about what we can be at our best and at our worst, told both in a long-view format, and a here-and-now format relevant to the story's place-setting. In addition, the story often takes time to focus on "around the campfire lore" told by various side-characters, which helps to create a truly immersive, mysterious and spine-tingling atmosphere. Artyom takes on the role of the traveling, reluctant hero who meets all matter of different characters, both villianous and wonderful, and through this device, the author does a great job of relating some very important points about humanity and society. In general, if you disregard the format problems, the translation hiccups, and some of failings in the details, this story is a fantastic modern take on a ethics-exploring adventure tale. It's a creatively original story about life and death and finding meaning somewhere in the middle of that. However, one can't ignore the issues with the story either. Whether as a result of bad formatting, a bad translator, or the author's own shortcomings, this story is not without glaring problems. One is the fact that this story can't decide what genre it wants to be. While ostensibly a sci-fi apocalypse story, the author freely and without much logic mixes in elements of fantasy; there's a few telepaths, a possible sorcerer, maybe some ghosts here and there, some demon-like monsters that defy the rules of physics, and way too many fantastical mutants that managed to arise in only 20 some years (keep in mind that, in reality, heavy radiation exposure outright kills all life, most radiaological mutations end up sterilizing, killing, or rendering the victim incapable of surviving in its habitat, or creates mutations that are so minor as to be relatively indistinguisable from normal random variety in nature). While many of these elements are somewhat explained away as being in-universe lore spun up by frightened humans around a campfire (in one case, what at first appears to be the shrieks of the dead twisting the minds of the living is later explained off-hand by someone as being sub-aural bass waves that create stress in humans), many of them are not or are too fantastical to be anything but pure fantasy. In addition, some scenes are not described very well, resulting in confusing action elements, broken time continuums, or sections that just kind of float free of the narration and become extended exposition. Despite all the shortcomings, I would say this is a story worth reading. If you can get past the terribly broken formatting and the failures in narration, the story itself is enlightening, philosophical, beautiful, and occassionally makes you stop and think.

**Fair warning: Potential light spoilers ahead** Set in the sprawling Moscow metro system following a major nuclear holocaust a couple of decades prior to the novel, we follow the journey of a man in his early 20s named Artyom, who is given a special task by a man named Hunter to journey to the center of the Metro to deliver news of an incredible threat to the entire Metro system and plead for help from the more powerful stations. Artyom is a somewhat naïve, anxious, superstitious, and overly curious protagonist. He bumbles his way around Neo-Nazis, Communists, mutants, and even new age Metro gurus, one of which claims to be the reincarnation of Genghis Khan himself. All of these events and people challenge his beliefs and understanding of the world around him in a very thoughtful and philosophical way. Even the Metro system itself makes for an interesting frenemy, with many seemingly paranormal unknowns lurking in the depths. Just what is going on in the tunnels? And what about the surface? What fates await our unwitting hero? Are the tales of men unfortunate enough to merely glimpse the stars of the Kremlin and become completely hypnotized by their beautiful twinkling true? Are the widely accepted explanations for phenomenon we can't explain ourselves always true? Can you trust everything someone in a position of power tells you? What the hell are all these hushed fearful whispers of Librarians about!? All of these burning questions AND MORE can be answered for you, dear reader, by checking out this novel. Do keep in mind that it's a pretty bleak book, but there are much more moments of levity than you might expect. Artyom is a very lovable, just, and humble doofus. I loved the book, and the ending really made me think about just how spiteful and indignantly hateful humanity as a whole can become when rallied around a common fear. Fear is a major theme in this book, and all the outcomes it can have on a person, both positive and negative. I'd also HIGHLY recommend watching videos of the actual Moscow metro itself if you're unfamiliar, as I had an entirely different image in my head. It's quite opulent, and lent itself to the decaying and increasingly distant greatness of humanity as portrayed in the novel. Check it out!