Roadside Picnic
By Boris Strugatsky

The Strugatsky brothers' poignant and introspective novel of first contact that inspired the classic filmand StalkerRed 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. His life is dominated by the Zone and the thriving black market in the alien products. Even the nature of his daughter has been determined by the Zone. And it is for her that Red makes his last, tragic foray into the hazardous and hostile depths.Readers can't stop thinking about Roadside Picnic:'A story of a horrific yet fascinating place, a story of an ordinary and unlikable man just trying to get by,and aand philosophical interlude on humanity and its significance or lack thereof, of greed and wonder, and the fever dream of the soul scream.and It still speaks to me' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'Such an intriguing setting for me, suchand an unusual take on alien interaction' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'It isand a thought-provoking, hard-to-put down masterpiece, most probably the best introduction to Soviet science fiction. A must read for any sci-fi fan' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'Aand fantastic and creativeand exploration of what first contact might be like' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'The tone of the book isand akin to that of some noir works, dark, gritty,and getting darker and grittier as the tale wears on . . . Like many great books, the meaning of the ending is left up to the reader' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'A beautifully depressive andand wonderfully atmospheric science fiction noveland about life on Earth after an alien "Visitation" that leaves humans with more questions than answers . . .and Once I started reading it today, I couldn't stop.and The story captured my heart and held my attention' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'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 . . .and I was truly astonished-by both theand poignancy and the deceptive(?) simplicityand of this relatively short novel' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐