The Kremlin recently labeled the author — who went into self-imposed exile in London a decade ago — a “terrorist” and effectively banned his works.
When President Vladimir V. Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Mr. Akunin wrote on Facebook, “Russia is ruled by a psychologically deranged dictator and worst of all, it obediently follows his paranoia.” At that time, he began contemplating how cultural figures fleeing abroad might still reach their domestic audience and perhaps help to spur change at home.
Being cut off from his own readers lent the project special urgency.
“I have to say, the amount of work and writing I’ve been doing over these two terrible years, never in my life have I written so much,” he told the audience members, who laughed when he said that a writing binge trumped a drinking binge.
“It is a form of escapism.”
Persons:
Boris Akunin, “, ” Mr, —, ”, Vladimir V, Putin, Akunin, obediently, I’ve
Organizations:
Russian Army, Facebook
Locations:
London, Ukraine, Russia