Published: 2023
Series: N/A (Standalone)
Author: Maylis de Kerangal (Translated by Jessica Moore)
Illustrator: N/A
Genres: Psychological Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Literary Fiction
Audience (Grade Levels): Upper level students / College students (Grades 11-12)
Number of Stars: ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐(4/5 Stars)
Goodreads Link: Eastbound
Triggers: Some language could be offensive
Review By: Sarah Williams
Publisher’s Summary:
From Wellcome Prize winner Maylis de Kerangal comes a fast-paced story of two fugitives set on the Trans-Siberian railway, where a desperate Russian conscript hopes a chance encounter with a French woman will offer him an escape. In sensual prose evoking jazz music and infused with a sense of surreal softness, Maylis de Kerangal brings the filthy, violent circumstances of Aliocha’s journey into sharp focus.
‘The fever burning through this story, its suspense and its lyrical escapes don’t curb its sensuality, and precision. [Kerangal’s] language has an incredible driving force. It is both like a stone made up of many crystals, mixing registers with fluidity, and juxtaposing the poetic and the trivial. The whole thing has a unique rhythm, a sense of breathless speed: the sort of graceful rockslide that only she can pull off. In flux between interior and exterior, this is the perfect voyage.’ – Le Monde des Livres
Review:
I received this book from a student as part of our holiday gift exchange. I was excited to read it because they chose it for me after reading it themselves and really liking it. I was intrigued by the premise of strangers on a train being forced by circumstances to help each other. I did find the writing interesting, with the lyrical prose moving quickly (not unlike a train). I was disappointed in the ending, however, and finished the book but did not feel it was complete. Maybe that was the point? I know this is translated from French, so perhaps some of its impact was dimmed by the English language. It is short and therefore a quick read, and someone who likes psychological thrillers might enjoy it more than I did.
Classroom & Curricular Connections:
- English Language Arts (The Art of Translation): Since the book is translated from French to English, have advanced students analyze how language structures affect pacing and tone. Compare a brief passage of the English translation alongside the original French syntax to explore what can be “lost in translation.”
- World History / Geography: Map the route of the Trans-Siberian railway. Use the book’s setting to explore the vast geography of Russia, the history of the railway system, and the historical or contemporary realities of military conscription.
- Creative Writing (Unresolved Endings): Address the reviewer’s note about the incomplete ending. Have students write a continuation or an alternate final chapter that provides traditional closure, then debate whether an ambiguous ending or a neat resolution fits a psychological thriller better.
- Global Literature / Diversity Extension: Use this text in a high school book club or literature circle focusing on European authors and international settings to expand students’ exposure to diverse global perspectives and translated literature.
