Definitely Maybe - Closing Thoughts on the Strugatsky Brothers' Masterpiece
We made it. Fourteen posts, eleven chapters, one afterword, and a whole lot of cognac and cigarettes later, here are my thoughts on Definitely Maybe as a whole.
Soviet science fiction
Definitely Maybe - Afterword and Translator's Note
If you thought the novel itself was intense, wait until you read what was happening behind the scenes. The afterword and translator’s note turn Definitely Maybe from a great sci-fi story into something much more personal and much more real.
Definitely Maybe Chapter 11 - Fire and Farewells
This is it. The last chapter. And the Strugatsky brothers end their novel exactly the way they should: with fire, cognac, and a question that has no answer.
Definitely Maybe Chapter 10 - Surrenders and Storms
Chapter 10 is the one that broke me a little. Everything has been building toward this, and now the pressure finally cracks Malianov open.
Definitely Maybe Chapter 9 - Choices and Consequences
Chapter 9 is where people start making their choices. And most of them choose to quit.
The Impossible Telegram
Let’s start with the thing that should terrify everyone. That telegram Irina got? “DMITRI BAD HURRY TO MAKE IT IN TIME.” It was signed by Snegovoi. But Snegovoi was already dead when it was sent. Nobody went to a telegraph office and typed it out. The machine just printed it. By itself.
Definitely Maybe Chapter 8 - The Homeostatic Universe
Chapter 8 is the heart of the entire book. This is where everything changes. And it starts with two men drinking tea in a quiet apartment.
Definitely Maybe Chapter 7 - A Debate With No Answers
Chapter 7 is where the talking starts for real. Everyone is gathered at Malianov’s place, and they’re waiting for Vecherovsky like students waiting for the professor to arrive and explain the exam.
Definitely Maybe Chapter 6 - Gubar's Nightmare
If Weingarten’s story was disturbing, Gubar’s is something else entirely. Chapter 6 is funny, terrifying, and sad all at the same time. The Strugatsky brothers were really showing off here.
Definitely Maybe Chapter 5 - Weingarten's Alien Story
Chapter 5 is where this book goes from “something strange is happening” to “okay, what on earth is going on.” Buckle up.
Definitely Maybe Chapter 4 - Coffee With Vecherovsky
Chapter 4 is where Malianov finally talks to someone with a clear head. And honestly, after the chaos of the last few chapters, it’s a relief.
Definitely Maybe Chapter 3 - The Investigation and the Disappearance
This is Part 4 of my chapter-by-chapter retelling of Definitely Maybe by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky (ISBN 978-1-61219-282-6). Start from the introduction if you’re new to this series.
Definitely Maybe Chapter 2 - Wine, Neighbors, and Warnings
This is Part 3 of my chapter-by-chapter retelling of Definitely Maybe by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky (ISBN 978-1-61219-282-6). If you’re just joining, start with the introduction.
Definitely Maybe Chapter 1 - Heat Waves and Wrong Numbers
This is Part 2 of my chapter-by-chapter retelling of Definitely Maybe by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky (ISBN 978-1-61219-282-6). If you’re just joining, check out the introduction post first.
Retelling Definitely Maybe by Strugatsky Brothers - A Soviet Sci-Fi Classic
So I picked up this book called Definitely Maybe by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky, and I want to walk you through it chapter by chapter. Think of this as me retelling the story to a friend over coffee. No spoiler-free zone here. We’re going all in.