At the end, the vodka drinking gets a bit too much, almost as if the prose starts to stagger from its own excessive imbibing, and the Russian history becomes too much exposition too late. But to give credit to Starling, this is not so much his failing as the reader's overwhelming desire (at that point) to just find out how it turns out for the characters. His continuing exposition, unravelling late though it is, is unavoidable, you see in retrospect. As is his maintaining the vodka metaphor--because by this point, it's not just a metaphor, it's just there.
Don't make the mistake of picking up this book because you want a quick serial killer thriller. Or even a good mystery. Or just a sexy love story between an American woman and a Russian crime lord. Sure, Vodka delivers all these separate pleasures in a single package. But most of all, it's a novel about Russia now and how she's gotten where she is today (or well, a decade ago). In the end, the real protagonist of this book is Ms Russia, daughter of that old stalwart Mother Russia. She's gorgeous, she's slutty, she drinks too much and can kill over political differences. But she makes for a compelling, sweeping, epic read. Read Vodka if you want to get to know her better. Just be willing to go all the way with her, to the last drop. And except a hell of a hangover the next morning--if you survive.
Article comments
1 - Aaman
Is the Lewis Carroll reference (Alice Liddell) gratituous or is there something deeper - is Russia perceived as Wonderland, or some sort of Bizarro-world viewed through the looking-glass?
2 - DrPat
Booklist reviewer David Wright didn't think so:
3 - Ashok K. Banker
Actually, that's a very accurate description of Alice's 'journey' in the book. The naming of the character and the falling into the rabbit hole of Vodka, through which she 'discovers' the fantastic alter-reality of modern Russia is deliberately metaphorical, and very well done. I'm sure it would have much more resonance to an American reader, but as a third-party viewer--being neither American nor Russian--it was fascinating to watch the American Alice descend into the vortex of Russian politics and social chaos.
4 - Aaman
I ordered this book based on the review and comments - from blogcritics.org link, of course:)
5 - Ashok K. Banker
I ordered Messiah by the same author based on this review too--well, based on reading the book reviewed here, I mean!
6 - Fiona
Vodka is one of the best novels published this year, I'm sure. I'm so glad to see this review, when many have misunderstood the book. It's a super piece of work, I think.
7 - Linda
Wow! I finished the book on Sunday and I want to start it all over again. I thought it fabulously portrayed the mindset of the Russians I have had contact with and it made me fall in love with all things Russian once more. I accidentally stumbled over the book and since I love vodka I had to buy Vodka......
8 - Joe
I had this book on my dashboard and it led to an awkward chitchat with a woman at a McDonald's drive-thru. Thanks a lot, Starling!
9 - John McNatt
Vodka is the most heart breaking novel I have read up to date. I congratulate Mr. Starling on his marvelous novel. Thank you for an unforgetful novel.