Off the Beaten Tracks

"Today an unusually gifted generation is entering Russian literature. . . . Literature has not seen such an influx of energy in a long time."—Olga Slavnikova, director of the Debut Prize

By and about Russian hitchhikers, these stories take the reader along the endless roads of central Russia, the Urals, the Altai, Siberia, and beyond. In energetic and vivid prose they depict all sorts of curious Russian types: exotic adventures in far-flung places, the complex psychological relationships that develop on the road, and these hitchhikers' inexplicable passion for tramping. "In via veritas" is their motto. The authors are all winners of the Debut Prize, and will present the book at BEA in 2012 in New York.

Irina Bogatyreva lives in Moscow. She has won several prizes, including the Debut, for her novel AUTO-STOP. She has several published books to her credit.

Tatiana Mazepina is the latest Debut Prize winner. She is a member of the Society of Free Travellers. She works as a journalist and writes on religious matters.

Igor Savelyev lives in Ufa (Bashkiria) where he works as a crime reporter. He is the winner of the Debut Prize and several other prizes.