---
product_id: 35544428
title: "Laurus: The International Bestseller"
price: "A$29"
currency: AUD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 9
url: https://www.desertcart.com.au/products/35544428-laurus-the-international-bestseller
store_origin: AU
region: Australia
---

# Laurus: The International Bestseller

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- **What is this?** Laurus: The International Bestseller
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## Description

desertcart.com: Laurus: The International Bestseller: 9781780748719: Vodolazkin, Eugene: Books

Review: A novel of the Russian Orthodox soul, set in the Middle Ages. - My tenth-grade English teacher once reproached me by quoting the aphorism "We don't judge a classic; it judges us." Whether or not Laurus is a classic will not be known for a century or two, but it is of sufficient weight and complexity to judge the reader. Hence the five stars. Who am I to doubt? Russia underwent three traumas in the last century--the Revolution, the forced industrialization and repression of Stalinism, and the Second World War. The first two were accompanied by the worst persecution of Christians in history. The demise of communism has led to a revival of the Russian Orthodox Church, with the support of the state. My recent read, Everyday Saints, and this book were both best sellers, and bear witness to this trend. In fact, Vodolazhkin was secretly baptized as a child, and feared exposure as a Christian in his university days. He has written a book which expresses the legendary Russian soul and certain aspects of the Russian version of the Orthodox world view. Set in the Fifteenth Century, with occasional leaps to other times, the book traces the life of his hero, in four stages, represented by his four names, Arseny, Ustin, Amvrosy, and Laurus. Arseny metamorphoses throughout the book, from a rural healer, to a "fool for Christ," a pilgrim, and a monk, among other things. In the course of the book, we are treated to elements of historical fiction--a recreation of the era in rural Russia, of magic realism with leaps in time all kinds of strange and miraculous events, a meditation on the meaning of time, an introduction to many aspects of Russian Orthodoxy, and a touch of the picaresque, though without the cynicism of, say, the Lazarillo de Tormes. I have no Russian, but I take it on faith that there is much word play with archaic vocabulary and constructions. These the translator has tried to signify by introducing strange spellings of words from time to time. I think that experiment fails, rather like a gift shop that tries to project antiquity by labeling itself "Ye Olde." That said, the book is quite readable, with short chapters, live prose, and a rapid unfolding of events. It is no doubt the case that this book is not for everyone. People who are impatient with things religious, feet set in the concrete of their skepticism, might find this book annoying. Such readers' willful suspension of disbelief will require something of an effort. If one is interested in the Middle Ages, the Russian soul, or Orthodoxy, you are likely to find the book rewarding. Someday soon, I may read it again.
Review: Best book I have read in years! - Author Eugene Vodolazkin has written a Russian masterpiece. He tells the story of a truly good (though imperfect) man. I am reminded of Dostoevsky’s The Idiot, which is set in 19th century Russia. Vodolazkin’s story, set in the Medieval Russia more perfectly hits the mark. Both are great thought-provoking novels which deal with the unique Russian religious tradition of Holy Fools, but Vodolazkin allows the mystical element to take center stage, making the story line stronger. Vivid depictions of Medieval life, and a wonderful cast of characters all make this book highly readable. There is a secondary theme about time and space, which is intriguing, and the translator did an outstanding job of capturing Vodolazkin’s effective use of occasional modern slang and images, interspersed with this story set in the 1600’s. Although most of the action of the story is set 400 years ago, the themes of kindness, grace, hope, and (above all) redemptive love have a timeless appeal. I chuckled, I wept, I felt refreshed as I read this beautifully written story. Highest recommendation.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #35,753 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #88 in Christian Historical Fiction (Books) #124 in Cultural Heritage Fiction #1,667 in Literary Fiction (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (1,182) |
| Dimensions  | 5.1 x 1.3 x 7.8 inches |
| Edition  | Reprint |
| ISBN-10  | 178074871X |
| ISBN-13  | 978-1780748719 |
| Item Weight  | 2.31 pounds |
| Language  | English |
| Print length  | 384 pages |
| Publication date  | September 13, 2016 |
| Publisher  | Oneworld Publications |

## Images

![Laurus: The International Bestseller - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71iyeu4OSAL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A novel of the Russian Orthodox soul, set in the Middle Ages.
*by G***S on December 14, 2015*

My tenth-grade English teacher once reproached me by quoting the aphorism "We don't judge a classic; it judges us." Whether or not Laurus is a classic will not be known for a century or two, but it is of sufficient weight and complexity to judge the reader. Hence the five stars. Who am I to doubt? Russia underwent three traumas in the last century--the Revolution, the forced industrialization and repression of Stalinism, and the Second World War. The first two were accompanied by the worst persecution of Christians in history. The demise of communism has led to a revival of the Russian Orthodox Church, with the support of the state. My recent read, Everyday Saints, and this book were both best sellers, and bear witness to this trend. In fact, Vodolazhkin was secretly baptized as a child, and feared exposure as a Christian in his university days. He has written a book which expresses the legendary Russian soul and certain aspects of the Russian version of the Orthodox world view. Set in the Fifteenth Century, with occasional leaps to other times, the book traces the life of his hero, in four stages, represented by his four names, Arseny, Ustin, Amvrosy, and Laurus. Arseny metamorphoses throughout the book, from a rural healer, to a "fool for Christ," a pilgrim, and a monk, among other things. In the course of the book, we are treated to elements of historical fiction--a recreation of the era in rural Russia, of magic realism with leaps in time all kinds of strange and miraculous events, a meditation on the meaning of time, an introduction to many aspects of Russian Orthodoxy, and a touch of the picaresque, though without the cynicism of, say, the Lazarillo de Tormes. I have no Russian, but I take it on faith that there is much word play with archaic vocabulary and constructions. These the translator has tried to signify by introducing strange spellings of words from time to time. I think that experiment fails, rather like a gift shop that tries to project antiquity by labeling itself "Ye Olde." That said, the book is quite readable, with short chapters, live prose, and a rapid unfolding of events. It is no doubt the case that this book is not for everyone. People who are impatient with things religious, feet set in the concrete of their skepticism, might find this book annoying. Such readers' willful suspension of disbelief will require something of an effort. If one is interested in the Middle Ages, the Russian soul, or Orthodoxy, you are likely to find the book rewarding. Someday soon, I may read it again.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best book I have read in years!
*by C***S on June 19, 2016*

Author Eugene Vodolazkin has written a Russian masterpiece. He tells the story of a truly good (though imperfect) man. I am reminded of Dostoevsky’s The Idiot, which is set in 19th century Russia. Vodolazkin’s story, set in the Medieval Russia more perfectly hits the mark. Both are great thought-provoking novels which deal with the unique Russian religious tradition of Holy Fools, but Vodolazkin allows the mystical element to take center stage, making the story line stronger. Vivid depictions of Medieval life, and a wonderful cast of characters all make this book highly readable. There is a secondary theme about time and space, which is intriguing, and the translator did an outstanding job of capturing Vodolazkin’s effective use of occasional modern slang and images, interspersed with this story set in the 1600’s. Although most of the action of the story is set 400 years ago, the themes of kindness, grace, hope, and (above all) redemptive love have a timeless appeal. I chuckled, I wept, I felt refreshed as I read this beautifully written story. Highest recommendation.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The author was trying to capture about what life was like back then and life is like right now
*by P***K on February 9, 2018*

Reading this book is an experience. The author was trying to capture about what life was like back then and life is like right now. What is the overarching thing that unites Arseny's life? What is the overarching thing that unites the life of the modern reader? Some parts are amazingly beautiful and other parts are very difficult to get through. Which is surprisingly much like life.

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*Last updated: 2026-03-02*