Hard to Be a God - Boris and Arkady Strugatsky

Hard To Be a God by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky, a new translation by Olena Bormashenko / ISBN 9781613748282 / 375-page paperback / Chicago Review Press *** “A thoroughly good book...robust, imaginative, satisfying.” —Ursula K. Le Guin Arkady and Boris Strugatsky are widely known as the greatest Russian writers of science fiction, and their 1964 novel Hard to Be a God is considered one of the greatest of their works. It tells the story of Don Rumata, who is sent from Earth to the medieval kingdom of Arkanar with instructions to observe and to influence, but never to directly interfere. Masquerading as an arrogant nobleman, a dueler and a brawler, Don Rumata is never defeated but can never kill. With his doubt and compassion, and his deep love for a local girl named Kira, Rumata wants to save the kingdom from the machinations of Don Reba, the First Minister to the king. But given his orders, what role can he play? Hard to Be a God has inspired a computer role-playing game and two movies