This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Grigory Ryzhakov is a Russian molecular biologist, singer-songwriter and story-teller living in the UK.
He received his MSc degree in biochemistry from Moscow State University (Russia) and a PhD in molecular biology from University of Cambridge (UK).
In his stories, Grigory likes to explore people in unusual situations, facing unusual challenges and aiming to achieve the impossible. His fiction is swarming with references to world literature, science, history, politics, it's full of grotesque, irony and, of course, love.
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
"Pumpkin Day" by Grigory Ryzhakov is a short story/novelette about Agie's adventures in the tunnels underneath the city of Slowne as recorded in her notebook. Jake, an art dealer who lives a lonely life in a large mansion, finds Agie's notebook on a park bench and wonders what she is like. After reading her story, he is intrigued by her intelligence, wit and attitude and decides to advertise finding the notebook. Agie and Jake agree to meet in a restaurant so that he can return her book. After meal, Agie leaves a note for Jake which tells him her big secret. She also leaves the continuing tale of the Giant Pumpkin. It is pretty obvious to the reader that Jake and Agie could be perfect for each other, based on the instant camaraderie seen in their first meeting, and it is not surprising that Jake starts leaving messages for Agie on her machine.
This short story went a long way for me. I am also fascinated by Agie who puts a snorkel on and plunges resolutely through watery tunnels beneath the city's streets and can converse in a witty and humorous way with someone intent on disposing of her as soon as possible. She is resourceful, thinks quickly and is a character I'll not soon forget. While the reader sees a lot less of Jake in this story, his character is similarly finely drawn and someone I'd also like to get to know better. The story of the giant pumpkin is fantastic, and I can still see Agie using the earth moving machine to pile dirt against the exit to the tunnel before she leaves. Sometimes you find an author whose work makes you want to slow down and enjoy every word, and then tell your friends about them. Ryzhakov is one of those authors, and I am planning on reading a lot more of his works.
