User:Cap'nK'nuckles/sandbox

Stalking the Atomic City: Life Among the Decadent and the Depraved of Chornobyl

Cap'nK'nuckles/sandbox

Author	Markiyan Kamysh
Original title	Оформляндія, або Прогулянка в Зону
Translators	Hanna Leliv and Reilly Costigan-Humes
Cover artist	Rodrigo Corral Studio
Language	Ukrainian
Publication date	2015
Publication place	Ukraine
Published in English	April 05, 2022
Pages	160
ISBN	978-1-66260-127-9

Stalking the Atomic City: Life Among the Decadent and the Depraved of Chornobyl (Ukrainian: Оформляндія, або Прогулянка в Зону, lit. Oformlandiia, or a Stroll in the Zone) is the debut book of Ukrainian author Markiyan Kamysh. It was originally published in Ukrainian in 2015, and the first English translation was published by Astra House in 2022. The book is a non-fiction account of Kamysh's experiences illegally exploring the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, and is akin to a reportage or travelogue.

Synopsis

Kamysh tells of his experiences as a self-described "stalker" in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone between 2012 and 2014. The majority of the novel takes place in "The Zone," including Prypiat (romanized as "Prypyat" by the translators), Chornobyl-2, and the abandoned village of Lubyanka. Kamysh describes his fascination and obsession with The Zone, which persist in spite of the dangers of stalking. A variety of dangers are encountered throughout Kamysh's stories: law enforcement, weather, ill-preparedness, dilapidated structures, other stalkers, and radiation.

Kamysh provides a detailed account of what a stalker needs to bring, where to go, how to avoid law enforcement, and overall how to survive. Despite this borderline resemblance to a guide book, Kamysh makes clear that he does not support traditional "tourism." He directly criticizes those who would use something like a guide book, take photos for Instagram, or follow a traditional or official guided tour.

Background

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Reception

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