A note from Jaina Sanga

Reading a novel set in Ukraine during the Russian invasion, is not only overwhelming and daunting, but, in many ways, necessary reading. Endling by Maria Reva features a young biologist who has set up a mobile lab studying snails (yes, snails!). To fund her research, she looks to the ‘romance tour industry’ – foreign bachelors wanting beautiful Eastern European brides. The story takes an ominous turn when she gets involved in a kidnapping scheme just as Russian tanks are rolling into the country. Yet all she wants is to save the snails. From this point, the trajectory of the story changes dramatically. While reading, I was struck by this sudden, brave shift. What Reva shows us is that since war turns the world upside down, the form and structure of the novel, too, must mirror this upheaval.  

The story is sad and funny and full of adventure. The language is crisp and energetic.

Endorsements on the book’s cover come from Percival Everett, Ann Patchett, Margaret Atwood, and Ben Fountain.

I hope you will join my Zoom conversation with Maria Reva on Wednesday 8th September at 7:00 pm CT.