Maryna and Serhiy Dyachenko
Maryna and Serhiy Dyachenko — Maryna Y. Dyachenko (Shyrshova) and Serhiy S. Dyachenko are spouses and Ukrainian co-authors of novels and plays. They write in Russian and Ukrainian languages. The primary genres of their books are modern science fiction, fantasy, and fairy tales. They currently reside in Moscow.
Work
Maryna and Serhiy claim that the bulk of their work is "M"-realism (a possible guess is that "M" stands for magic, but it was never confirmed by either author).
Their first work, The Gate-Keeper (Russian: Привратник), was published in 1994. This novel received the "Crystal Table" prize (Russian: Хрустальный стол) at the book festival Zoryany Schlyach, the novel was awarded the title "Best Debut Work" during EuroCon competition in 1995. The Gate-keeper became the first novel in Dyachenko's fantasy tetralogy Wanderers ("Скитальцы"). With publishing of The Scar (Russian: Шрам) (1997), the sequel of The Gate-Keeper, Dyachenko established themselves as masters of psychological fantastic fiction. The Scar has received "Sword in the Stone" (1997) award as the best fantasy novel from 1995 to 1999.
In 1996 a new novel, The Ritual (Russian: Ритуал) was published - a story about princess and the dragon. This work is very strange and unusual, since the dragon in this tale is a half-human. This novel did not receive much attention and was not awarded any prizes.
The novel Age of the Witch (1997) (Russian: Ведьмин век) has a unique setting - it contains characters from various (mainly Slavonic) mythologies, creating a unique background. This novel received a literature award from the magazine Rainbow (Russian: Радуга) in 1997 and the "Zilantkon" - "Great Zilant" prize (Russian: Зиланткон — Большой Зилант) in Kazan in 1998.
The novel The Cave (1998) (Russian: Пещера) was awarded "Moon Sword" prize in 1999 for the best work in the genre of "mystical literature" in 1997-1999.
The novel Burned Tower (1998) (Russian: Горелая Башня) received a prize at Interpresscon competition in 1999.
The novel The Frontier (1999) (Russian: Рубеж), written in co-authorship with A. Valentinov (Russian: А.Валентиновым) and H. L. Oldie (Russian: Г. Л. Олди), was awarded the "Golden Caduceus" prize at the festival "Star Bridge - 2000".
The novel The Execution (1999) (Russian: Казнь) received "The Wаnderer" award in 2000 and the Reader Appreciation award "Sigma-F" in 2000 as the Novel of the Year.
The novel Armaged-Home (Russian: Армагед-дом) (1999) is a result of the long-term effort, written in the genre of social science fiction. The book describes different periods of the female heroine's life and the society she lives in. In the opinion of many critics and readers, it is one of the best Dyachenko's novels.
The Green card (2000) (Russian: Зелёная карта) - this work is not a fantastic novel. It is a tale about people from Kiev, who have received an opportunity to immigrate to the United States. A screenplay was based on this book.
A variation on Cervantes' classic, novel Last Don Quixote (2000) (Russian: Последний Дон Кихот) became a base for a theatrical play. The novel was awarded the "Bronze Snail" (Russian: Бронзовая Улитка) (2001).
The novel Magicians Can Do Anything (2001) (Russian: Магам можно всё) was awarded the "Golden Caduceus" award at the "Golden Bridge - 2001" festival.
In 2001 Marina and Sergey Dyachenko were awarded the "Aelita" (Russian: Аэлита) prize.
The novel Valley of the Conscience (Russian: Долина Совести) was awarded the following prizes: "Bronze Snail - 2002", "Russian science fiction - 2002", "Sigma-F - 2002", and the "Golden Caduceus" award at the festival "Golden Bridge - 2002".
The novel Pandem (Russian: Пандем) took the "Silver Caduceus" prize at the "Star Bridge -2003" festival.
The novel Varan (Russian: Варан) was awarded the "Bronze Caduceus" prize at the "Star Bridge -2004" festival.
The novel The Pentacle (Russian: Пентакль), in co-authorship with A. Valentinov (Russian: А.Валентиновым) and G. L. Oldi (Russian: Г. Л. Олди), was awarded the "Golden Caduceus" prize at the "Star Bridge - 2005" festival.
The novel Wild Energy. Lana (March 2006) (Ukrainian: Дика Енергія. Лана) - is a fantasy fairy tale, written under impression of the music of the Ukrainian singer Ruslana (Ukrainian: Руслана). The book was dedicated to Ruslana as well. This novel is full of action, rhythm and energy. The novel was awarded the "Bronze Caduceus" prize at the "Star Bridge - 2006" festival.
In 2006 they published first part of the fantasy series named The Key of the Kingdom (Russian: Ключ от королевства) and its sequel Oberon's Word (Russian: Слово Оберона); trilogy was concluded with Evil Has No Power (Russian: У зла нет власти) in 2008. Alena and Aspirin (Russian: Алёна и Аспирин) - a psychological fantastic novel was published as well in 2006.
Vita Nostra was published in 2007, first novel in associative "Metamorphosis" cycle. The book collected dozen of professional and readers national awards.[1]
The Copper King, fantasy novel loosely coonected to Varan, was published in 2008.
Digital, or Brevis Est, modern take of "world power" seduction theme, became the second novel in "Metamorphosis" cycle in 2009, and Migrant, or Brevi Finietur, extraterrestrial science fiction novel, became the third in 2010.
Possessed, modern urban fantasy, was published in 2011.
Literary Awards
Maryna and Serhiy Dyachenko are recipients of the most prestigious literary awards in the science fiction in the Commonwealth of Independent States. Practically every novel they have written, in addition to several short stories, have received various awards.
They were honored as the ESFS's Best Writers of Europe in Eurocon 2005.
List of Publications
Some of their novels have also been translated into other languages (ex. Polish). The Scar will become their first major book publication in USA in February, 2012 from Tor Books.[2]
Novels
- The Gate-Keeper (Russian: Привратник)
- The Ritual (Russian: Ритуал)
- The Scar (Russian: Шрам)
- The Bondage (Russian: Скрут)
- The Successor (Russian: Преемник)
- Age of the Witch (Russian: Ведьмин век)
- The Cave (Russian: Пещера)
- The Execution (Russian: Казнь)
- Armaged-Home (Russian: Армагед-дом)
- The Adventurer (Russian: Авантюрист)
- Everything is allowed to the mags (Russian: Магам можно все)
- Valley of the Conscience (Russian: Долина Совести)
- Pandem (Russian: Пандем)
- The Pentacle (Russian: Пентакль) (novel with a series of the short stories; co-authors A. Valentinov, G. L. Oldi)
- Varan (Russian: Варан)
- Alena and Aspirin (Russian: Алёна и Аспирин) (published in Russian and Ukrainian)
- Wild Energy. Lana (Ukrainian: Дика енергія. Лана) (published in Russian and Ukrainian)
- The Key of the Kingdom (Russian: Ключ от королевства) (published in Russian and Ukrainian)
- Oberon's Word (Russian: Слово Оберона) (published in Russian and Ukrainian) (Ukrainian: Королівська обіцянка)
- Vita Nostra
- The Copper King (Russian: Медный Король)
- Evil Has No Power (Russian: У зла нет власти)
- Digital, or Brevis Est (Russian: Цифровой, или Brevis Est)
- Migrant, or Brevi Finietur (Russian: Мигрант, или Brevi Finietur)
- Possessed (Russian: Одержимая)
Novellas
- Bastard (Russian: Бастард)
- Stone's Roots (Russian: Корни Камня)
- Burned Tower (Russian: Горелая Башня)
- Last Don Quixote (Russian: Последний дон Кихот)
- Green card (Russian: Зеленая карта)
- Wolfs' Land (Russian: Волчья сыть)
- Emma and the Sphinx (Russian: Эмма и сфинкс)
- The Well Master (Russian: Хозяин Колодцев)
- Kon (Russian: Кон)
- Miseracle (Russian: Мизеракль)
- Zoo (Russian: Зоопарк)
- Two (Russian: Две)
- My Noble Knight Has Left Me... (Russian: Уехал славный рыцарь мой)
- The Sail Bird (Russian: Парусная птица)
- Vesnars' Land (Russian: Земля веснаров)
Short Stories
- Virlena (Russian: Вирлена)
- Outside (Russian: )
- The Throne (Russian: Трон)
- Oskol (Russian: Оскол)
- Horde's man (Russian: Ордынец)
- A Tale about Golden Rooster (Russian: Сказ о Золотом Петушке)
- The Spell (Russian: Заклинание)
- Blind Basilisk (Russian: Слепой василиск)
- The Hamlet (Russian: Хутор)
- Mackler and Magic(Russian: Маклер и магия)
- The Wing (Russian: Крыло)
- Dark side of the Moon (Russian: Обратная сторона Луны)
- Basketball (Russian: Баскетбол)
- Hair (Russian: Волосы)
- The Bloom (Russian: Бутон)
- The Promise (Russian: Обещание)
- Lunar Landscape (Russian: Лунный пейзаж)
- Marta (Russian: Марта)
- Visit to a Paediatrician (Russian: Визит к педиатру)
- 'Churrem' - means 'The One Who Smiles' (Russian: Хуррем - значит "Улыбчивая")
- Ataman (Russian: Атаман)
With A. Valentinov, H. L. Oldie
- The Frontier (Russian: Рубеж)
- Bashtan (Russian: Баштан)
- Fights with no Rules (Russian: Бои без правил)
- Devil's Expedition (Russian: Чертова экзистенция)
- The Potato (Russian: Картошка)
- Werewolf in the Uniform (Russian: Оборотень в погонах)
- Bursak (Russian: Бурсак)
- Senatorium (Russian: Санаторий)
- The Neighbor (Russian: Сосед)
- Venus Mirgorodus (Russian: Венера Миргородская)
- Day of the Dead in the Community Center (Russian: День мертвых в доме культуры)
- Sold Soul (Russian: Проданная душа)
- Bazaar (Russian: Базар)
- Rescuers (Russian: Спасатели)
- Kolobrod (Russian: Колоброд)
- Kvarteronka (Russian: Квартеронка)
- Dress Shoes (Russian: Туфли)
- Charisma Nuyrki Gavrosh (Russian: Харизма Нюрки Гаврош)
- Monte-Carltown (Russian: Монте-Карловка)
- Let's go to the Basement? (Russian: Пойдем в подвал?)
- Nespokiy (Russian: Неспокий)
- Scary M. (Russian: Страшная М.)
- Bogdana (Russian: Богдана)
- The Serdolick Perl (Russian: Сердоликовая бусина)
- The Attraction (Russian: Аттракцион)
- The Pan's Orchid (Russian: Панская орхидея)
- Cossack's Blood (Russian: Казачья кровь)
- The Flaming Motor (Russian: Пламенный мотор)
- The Competition (Russian: Конкурс)
- The Bequest Stone (Russian: Камень завета)
- Five Dead-ends Street (Russian: Улица пяти тупиков)
Plays
- Last Don Quixote (Russian: Последний дон Кихот)
Children's Books
- Flying Hat (Russian: Летающая шляпа) (with A. Bondarchuk and I. Malkovich) Published in Ukrainian.
- Tales for Stevo (Russian: Сказки для Стаски)
- Adventures of Masha Michailova (Russian: Приключения Маши Михайловой); also published in Ukrainian (Ukrainian: Пригоди Марійки Михайлової).
- Search of Masha Michailova (Russian: Сыск Маши Михайловой)
- Flying fish (Russian: Воздушные рыбки) Published in Russian, Ukrainian an English
- Giraffe and Panda (Russian: Жирафчик и Пандочка) Published in Russian and Ukrainian.
- Fairy Tales: About the old woman, About the barrel, About the river, About the chicken, About the chicken-2, About the cricket (Russian: Про старушку, Про бочку, Про реку, Про курицу, Про курицу-2, Про сверчка)
- Gabriel and The Steel Lumberjack (Ukrainian: Габріель і сталевий лісоруб) Published in Ukrainian.
Fictional Creatures and Objects Created by Writers
This section lists unique objects and creatures, which were never used in any other work, or very little know ones, such as "Chugaister" (Russian: Чугайстер).
- "Glaive" (from the book Armaggedon-Home) - This is a dalphin's larva that emerged during the apocalypse. It is deadly for all living objects. Extremely survivable, resistant to high temperature, they need no shelter and are able to get through the apocalypse without taking cover. Dalphins in this novel resemble real dolphins. They have evolved to survive the apocalypse in the following way: females lay eggs once every twenty years, right before the apocalypse. Critical changes in the environment, and sometimes just the warning signs, stimulate development of the larvae. Creatures migrate back to the ocean when seismic activity is over. Their next stage of the development is the cocoon. Dalphin spends inside the cocoon from the one to two month, an adult species emerges afterwards. In the world of this book, mentioning of the glaives is a taboo, probably from the fear of them. The word glaive means an edged weapon that was used in the medieval times.
- "The Yellowmore" (Russian: Желтомар) (from the book Bastard) is a wizard's trap. It looks like an old man carved out of a tree. This old man smokes a pipe that emits yellow smoke. Smoke kills living things, by homing on the body heat.
- "The Devourer" (Russian: Зажора) (from the book Bastard) is a wizard's trap. It is a hole in the ground that attracts its victims with a children's cry for help. Approaching victim gets sucked in by a whirlwind.
- "Calidons" (Russian: Калидоны) (from the book The Ritual) are gigantic white birds, which live near the dragons. They pluck their own soft white feathers in order to hatch their chicks.
- "Mryga" (Russian: Мрыга) (from the book Armaggedon-Home) is an apocalypse, that comes periodically, approximately every twenty years. During this period "The gates" are formed: objects of the unknown nature, that look like a stone arch with a mirror inside. People who enter the mirror are safe from the apocalypse and are able to return after it is over. "Minor gates" are formed as well, these are used by the animals and can not be employed by humans. There are enough gates formed, so every person has an opportunity to be saved if he/she enters the nearest one. These gates are transmitting some kind of signal, but humans were not able to determine what it is.
- "Nav", "Navka", "Nyavka" (Russian: Навь, навка, нявка) (from the book Age of the Witch) is a magic creature that takes its form after a person who has recently died. It is brought to life if someone loved that dead person and wished for him/her to come back. Nav is using deception to kill a person who brought it to life. Nav, as well as Chugaister, is taken from the Ukrainian mythology, but it is different in many ways. For example: in the classical Ukrainian novel The Forest Song (Ukrainian: Лісова Пісня) by Lesya Ukrainka, main character is Mavka, which is a sprite, spirit of the forest.
- "Chugaister" (Russian: Чугайстер) (from the book Age of the Witch) is a magical creature that is very similar to the human. Chugaisters, sometimes by themselves, sometimes in a group, destroy Navs (see above), by dancing around them. By doing so they make Navs to dance with them until they collapse dead. Chugaister was taken from the Ukrainian mythology, but is somewhat different from the original creature.
- "Elfoush" (Russian: Эльфуш) (from the book The Well Master) is a little flying somewhat intelligent creature, which resembles an elf. Little children and people who are in love can understand what elfoushes say,thus becoming their pray.
- "Housekeeper" (Russian: Домохранец) (from the book The Well Master) is a little house demon, looks like a little man with spider's legs.
Notes and references
References
External links