Magpie on the Gallows

A narrative about the value of progress and a mysterious cat that isn’t as simple as it seems. Science fiction reminiscent of works by the Strugatsky brothers.

An immersion into the future where humanity has defeated diseases, wars, famine, and aging—has mastered more than two hundred exoplanets—and continues its expansion. It’s the perfect world for everyone except Jan. But it’s precisely he, an ordinary reserve ranger, who accidentally ends up among members of the Big Jury, who must choose the direction of further development of Earth’s civilization.

Is something waiting for us in space? Can we освоїти it? Do we need to accelerate the development of human reason to conquer the Galaxy? Will a person remain a person after that?

Eduard Verkin considers the justification of global experiments on humanity, explores overcoming old age and the development of space missions, giving the science-fiction text depth and anxiety typical of psychological prose. It is powerful, emotionally saturated prose, reminiscent of the best Soviet science fiction about choosing a path to the stars amid the darkness of the universe.