Viktor Pelevin’s New Novel Moves Forward with Eksmo, Expanding Its Reach Across Formats
The latest project from Viktor Pelevin is advancing within the publishing pipeline as Eksmo has taken concrete steps toward releasing his new novel. A draft has already been submitted, signaling real progress, and TASS notes that preparations are underway for publication. Eksmo’s press service outlines a nationwide rollout, with a release date planned before the end of 2023. The publisher also intends to offer audio and electronic editions in addition to the hardcover and paperback formats, ensuring readers can access the story in multiple modes as soon as it appears in stores.
Details like the exact title and full plot remain under wraps at this stage. Pelevin’s most recent book, KGBT+, appeared in Russia on September 29, 2022, and has since been connected to broader media development, including news that director Viktor Ginzburg has begun work on an adaptation of SNUFF. This development adds another layer of anticipation for readers who follow Pelevin’s prolific career and the growing presence of his works beyond the page, into film and other media. SNUFF represents Pelevin’s tenth novel and continues his signature exploration of layered realities and bifurcated worlds that challenge conventional perception. A recurring motif in these narratives is the division between two spheres—the upper and the lower—where boundaries between human life and imagined environments constantly shift in unexpected ways.
In the imagined upper world, a vast, self-contained structure houses a society, with commentators describing it as a gigantic artificial ball. The political and cultural center is a metropolis known as Byzantium, sometimes called Great Byzant. The lower world has its own legends and inhabitants, including groups described as Urks, a term that has appeared as Orcs in some translations of Pelevin’s work. These labels help frame the imaginative geography that characterizes Pelevin’s storytelling, inviting readers to navigate between stark contrasts and uncanny parallels between these two horizons. The tension between the two realms—one perched in human civilization on a high stage, the other rooted in a more primal, subterranean vibe—drives the novel’s thematic architecture and narrative momentum, inviting reflection on power, identity, and the nature of reality itself [TASS].
As publishers prepare for a broad release, literary communities and readers alike are watching closely to see how Pelevin will expand the universe he has spent decades developing. Anticipation is heightened by the knowledge that the author’s work tends to generate conversations that spill over into other media and cultural discourse. In the case of SNUFF, observers are curious about how the adaptation process will interpret the text’s unique world-building, its speculative devices, and the moral questions embedded within. Pelevin’s approach to speculative fiction—where ordinary life intersects with metaphysical puzzles and satirical insight—continues to attract attention not only in Russia but also in Canada, the United States, and beyond. The blend of philosophical inquiry with storytelling has defined Pelevin’s career and makes the forthcoming novel a focal point for readers who want a narrative experience that feels crafted and expansive when imagination is unleashed on the page and screen [TASS].
Ultimately, fans will await formal release details to know how soon they can encounter the new Pelevin in bookstores, as well as in audio and digital formats. Ongoing coverage from Eksmo and industry outlets suggests a careful, multi-format rollout designed to reach diverse audiences who appreciate Pelevin’s distinctive voice and the provocative worlds his books create. As the publication window nears, discussions are likely to center on how this upcoming work continues Pelevin’s exploration of alternate realities and how his characters navigate the complex moral and existential landscapes that have become his signature touchstone for readers across continents [TASS].
Industry insiders point to a carefully paced strategy to maximize readership while preserving the mystery surrounding the novel’s title and plot. This approach aligns with Pelevin’s history of generating conversations that endure beyond a single release, inviting readers to revisit his catalog with fresh eyes and new interpretations as each new book expands the silhouette of his literary universe. The dual track of traditional print plus digital and audio editions ensures accessibility for a wide audience, including readers in Canada and the United States who follow contemporary Russian literature and the evolving ways it is consumed in a multimedia landscape. The cross-media interest surrounding Pelevin’s work bodes well for the forthcoming release, signaling a moment when readers can anticipate a narrative experience that is immersive and thought-provoking, with layers that reward careful reading and repeated engagement [TASS].
Overall, the news confirms that Viktor Pelevin remains an active and influential figure in modern fiction, continually shaping a space where speculative imagination meets philosophical inquiry. With Eksmo steering production and distribution, the forthcoming novel is positioned to become a notable addition to Pelevin’s esteemed body of work, inviting audiences to explore new dimensions of his world-building and storytelling craft as they wait for the final reveal of the title and plot details [TASS].