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Title:
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Half Life of Valery K, The |
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Authors:
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Pulley, Natasha |
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Genre:
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Fiction |
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Pages:
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373 |
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Year:
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2022 |
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Language:
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English |
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Description:
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Nuclear scientist Valery Kolkhanov is resigned to life in a Siberian gulag, but with a nod from his former mentor he suddenly finds himself in City 40, a mysterious town in a forest where he is to study the effects of radiation on the ecosystem. Who wouldn't enjoy the dramatic improvements in the living conditions? But it comes with a price and when Valery realises just what his research is to encompass, it really is a case of out of the frying pan into the fire.
With its plausible characters, grim tidings and provocative plot, this is a terrifying Cold War thriller based on true events.
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Categories:
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Fiction, Environmental, Grief/loss, Human Rights, Medical/Health, Relationships, Science & Technology, Social commentary/perspectives, Tragedy/disaster, Russia, 2025 Titles |
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By: BLENH 031
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2026-03-12 12:44:14 |
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An intriguing read, one member chose not to read the book, another didn't finish the book. A believable story that took us back in time, confronting us with some scientific themes that led to a discussion on the world today - are we any different? Well-written! |
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By: TWIZ 005
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2026-02-11 13:55:41 |
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Although this is a novel, it very accurately conveys what it was like to live in Soviet-era USSR. One of our group lived in Moscow for more than two years, and felt she was back there as she read. But it was also an engrossing story, and we all rated it very highly. It was a great read, and followed on perfectly from David Attenborough’s ‘A Life on This Planet’ and his description of Pripyat after the Chernobyl disaster. |
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By: BLENH 022
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2025-11-30 14:05:08 |
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Varied opinions - half loved the book, but some found the story confronting. All agreed it was very well-written with incredible powers of description - both scenes and characters. Many thought Valery was a "nice type of hero". |
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By: CHCH 549
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2025-10-27 16:29:21 |
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Our all-male group all enjoyed this story. For some it was enhanced by being based on fact, while others thought some of the events (those more made up for the story) were implausible. Most of us enjoyed the relationship between the central characters. |
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By: ROTO 010
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2025-08-10 18:30:45 |
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Overall we very much enjoyed The Half Life of Valery K, its well-constructed storyline and fast pace. The nuclear physics content engaged some of us. Being the 60th anniversary of Hiroshima as our group met, current concerns built upon history are riveting. Discussion was on how to uphold a functioning, compassionate society against governmental oppression... Pulley's fact-based fiction serves us well. |
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By: NELS 002
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2025-08-04 09:29:54 |
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Very good. Convincingly portrayed Soviet era Russia. |
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By: AUCK 459
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2025-07-28 12:55:13 |
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Some of the group didn't read it, but those who did found it fascinating, if not a little scientific. Believable and totally scary. |
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By: MARLB 002
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2025-06-25 10:02:25 |
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The group found this book really well-written and believable for the most part. Fascinating that the background was based on fact, and a great insight into Russia back in the day. The two main characters were well-described and the radiation explanations fascinating to many of us. A good read written with humour and restraint. |
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By: WELL 102
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2025-05-27 10:12:50 |
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The group thought the book was really great. |
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By: AUCK 446
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2025-03-03 10:10:35 |
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Most of us loved the book. We found the topic intriguing, and some of the characters. Had quite a good discussion. |
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By: DUNED 083
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2024-10-21 09:18:53 |
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We loved Valery K!! |
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By: NELS 012
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2024-10-16 13:09:58 |
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A fantastic book. Insightful, well-written - would make a great movie. |
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By: AUCK 189
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2024-10-10 10:00:48 |
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Everyone enjoyed this book! Beautifully written and all the more fascinating/horrifying that it is based on actual events. |
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By: WAIKA 013
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2024-09-25 11:54:40 |
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Well-written with a real understanding of the effects of radiation. Scary and certainly not unbelievable for our future existence!! |
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By: HAVE 015
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2024-07-29 11:26:15 |
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Most of us, including my husband, really enjoyed this book and were completely hooked. Only 1, maybe 2, couldn't get into it. |
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By: WELL 042
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2024-04-29 09:41:50 |
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We all enjoyed this book - amazing to learn it was based on true events. We thought the ending was a bit weak, but on the other hand were very pleased that so many people were able to escape. |
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