TagDeath and the Penguin

Death and the Penguin by Andrey Kurkov tells the story of Viktor, a struggling writer who is unexpectedly hired to write obituaries for a local newspaper. He adopts a young penguin from the zoo, who becomes his only companion. When Viktor's articles start reporting on the deaths of people who are still alive, he becomes embroiled in a dangerous political conspiracy. Alongside his penguin, Misha, he navigates the corrupt world of Ukrainian politics and the criminal underworld. In a stunning conclusion, Viktor and Misha must make a life-altering decision that will affect them both forever. Overall, Death and the Penguin is a darkly humorous and poignant exploration of loneliness, morality, and the human condition.