The Undead begins as the story of a youngish woman named Maya trying to make it as a filmmaker in Moscow. It’s similar at first to recent U.S. artistic coming-of-age stories like Chelsea Martin‘s novel Tell Me I’m an Artist or Kelly Reichardt‘s film Showing Up, as Maya wrestles with personal ambitions, relationships with friends and family, and the inevitable struggles and compromises of collaborative creation.
The Undead is a compelling and timely story, both very Russian and all too universal. Often Satchkova tells rather than shows, which can make the narrative a bit dry and hurried, keeping readers at an emotional distance. Overall, though, this novel takes some dark themes and casts them into a bright light, offering much to consider about art, freedom, propaganda and responsibility.
Pile by the Bed reviews The Undead by Svetlana Satchkova set in Russia and revolving around the life of a filmmaker it is part farce, part political commentary, part reflection on the life of an artist in an authoritarian regime and then part Kafka.
Светлана Сачкова (Svetlana Satchkova) е авторка, която е преживяла прехода на своята родина от културна свобода към авторитаризъм. Нейният дебютен роман на английски език "Неживите" (The Undead) разкрива страха и несигурността, които е изпитвала като културен журналист в Москва, управлявана от Путин. Главната героиня Мая, млада режисьорка, се опитва да създаде филм за гhouls, водени от неживия Ленин.
Svetlana Satchkova’s “The Undead” contemplates artistic responsibility, state censorship, and the risks of being an artist in Russia.
In this novel, a young film-maker navigates the consequences of making art in modern Russia.
Svetlana Satchkova’s English-language debut explores an uncomfortable reality in which opportunities for rebellion are slim.
Q: What inspired you to write The Undead, and how did you create your character Maya?
In this interview conducted by former publicity executive Michael Barson, Svetlana Satchkova talks about her decision to write the novel in English and the impact it has had on her approach to fiction; explains the differences between life in Moscow and New York; and names the three authors who she believes have done the most effective job of writing stories that accurately depict the state of life in Russia.
Kun je in Rusland als filmmaker nog gewoon je werk doen, zonder je met politiek te bemoeien? De jonge filmmaker Maya dacht van wel, maar werkte zich voordat ze het doorhad in de nesten. In haar Engelstalige debuutroman The Undead laat de Russische schrijver en journalist Svetlana Satchkova zien hoe Russische kunstenaars verstrikt raken in een angstaanjagend systeem waarin apolitiek zijn geen optie is. Alsu Buiting, docent Russische taalverwerving aan de Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, bespreekt het boek.
In this interview, author Svetlana Satchkova discusses moving to the U.S. from Russia, her writing becoming political, and her new novel, The Undead.
The Undead is a novel about filmmaking: the conflicting angles of vision, the budget, the egos of stars. It’s also a novel about filmmaking in an authoritarian nation.
An exquisite balance between contentment and foreboding, tranquility and chaos, characterizes Satchkova’s new novel, “The Undead,” out on January 13.
The New Year is the perfect time to set your sights high for your reading goal. And what better place to start than with some exciting early 2026 releases?
We’re wasting no time this year, because January is full of book releases you won’t want to miss. From the return of an American literary icon like George Saunders to a number of can’t-miss works in translation, you’ll find plenty of books to get your 2026 started on the right foot.
Our recommended books for January 2026 include novels of the afterlife, musicians' biographies and an exploration of addiction.