Beetle in the Anthill
Russian cover of the novel
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| Author | Arkady and Boris Strugatsky |
|---|---|
| Original title | Жук в муравейнике |
| Translator | Antonina W. Bouis |
| Country | Soviet Union |
| Language | Russian |
| Series | Noon Universe |
| Genre | Science fiction novel |
| Publisher | Macmillan |
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Publication date
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1979 |
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Published in English
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1980 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| ISBN | |
| OCLC | 6421596 |
| 891.73/44 | |
| LC Class | PG3476.S78835 Z4913 |
| Preceded by | The Kid from Hell |
| Followed by | The Time Wanderers |
Beetle in the Anthill (Russian: Жук в муравейнике, pronounced [ʐuk v mʊrɐˈvʲejnʲɪkʲɪ]) is a 1979 sci-fi novel by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky set in the Noon Universe.
Beetle in the Anthill is the title of a theory explaining the Stepchildren phenomenon. Another example of such a title in Strugatskys' books is the Roadside Picnic, describing a possible origin of the "Zones".
Beetle in the Anthill is the sequel to Prisoners of Power, but its plot is almost independent.
The novel is set in 2178 AD (approximately 20 years after the events of Prisoners of Power) and follows the story of the main character of the first novel, Maxim Kammerer. Kammerer, now an experienced investigator of COMCON-2, receives an order to track down a man named Lev Abalkin, who was not supposed to return to Earth but has returned nevertheless. The order was issued in secret by Rudolf Sikorski (called "Excellency" throughout the book), the chief of COMCON-2.
Studying the materials on Abalkin that Sikorski provided him with, Kammerer discovers that prior to his arrival on Earth, Abalkin was a progressor on Saraksh, working as an undercover agent in the power structures of the Island Empire. Among other materials, he finds a sheet of paper with a strange symbol resembling the Cyrillic letter Ж or Japanese character 卅 (san juu) which only adds to his confusion.
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Wikipedia