“A story of the extraordinary”

The review is dedicated to the book written by a Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of History of Slavic literatures at the Institute of Slavic Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Head of the Department of Slavic studies and Central European studies at the Russian State University for the Humanities, member of the Union of Writers of Russia, a well-known science fiction scholar, and president of the Association of Science Fiction Researchers, E. N. Kovtun. The book is structured like a guide, presenting a gallery of afterlife worlds as envisioned by the human soul. The research draws on works by science fiction writers from the 20th and 21st centuries, representing literary traditions of Russia, Western Europe, and the USA. This review analyzes the key aspects of E. N. Kovtun’s research, highlighting her innovative approach to the study of science fiction and fantasy literature. It outlines the diverse perspectives through which she examines these genres, ranging from the artistic representation of the Afterlife World to the motifs that connect various locations, geographical elements, and landscapes within afterlife narratives. The review emphasizes the validity of Kovtun’s methodology, particularly her exploration of the Afterlife chronotope and the behavioral strategies of characters on the brink of crossing the divide between the living and the dead. Her analytical framework enables a multifaceted examination of selected texts, allowing for an objective assessment of the essential qualities and characteristics of the Afterlife. While commonalities emerge through intertextual connections, distinct national and aesthetic features are also evident. Kovtun seeks to interpret a wide array of works through the lens of their poetics. This monograph serves as a significant resource for researchers interested in theoretical literary issues. It weaves together reflections on chronotopes, plot structures, character types, fictional worlds, and authorial intent. Overall, Kovtun successfully achieves her primary objective: to define and “justify” the role of fantasy in contemporary literature and to explain its appeal to a large adult audience. This review is intended for a broad readership, including philologists, literary scholars, and anyone interested in science fiction, fantasy, and themes of the afterlife.