This is a harsh, bloody, bitter, and very lyrical text. Conceived as a “true story about vampires,” the novel turned out to be anything but “vampiric.” No, vampires are there. They live, suffer, love, hate, rejoice, kill, die… But far more interesting is what goes on around them. What happens to people. And to not-quite-people. Instead of a sword—an axe. Instead of magic—a solid, sharp saying. It will be painful and terrifying for everyone. And to make the story more convincing, the author brought “village” and “city” prose face-to-face, mixed genres, and summoned chills and fog. And when, at the end, all the mysteries are solved, it’s already not that important—because first and foremost, “The Night Watchman” is a novel about choosing your path.