Requiem for a Lost Empire

Requiem for a Lost Empire (French: Requiem pour l'Est) is a 2000 novel by the French-Russian writer Andreï Makine.^[1]

Requiem for a Lost Empire

Author	Andreï Makine
Original title	Requiem pour l'Est
Language	French
Publisher	Éditions Gallimard
Publication date	22 February 2000
Publication place	Franc
Published in English	1 August 2001
Pages	228
ISBN	2715221940

Plot

The novel follows a Russian family over three generations. It begins during the Stalin era and centres on the farmer Pavel who is in conflict with the regime during the collectivisation. Later in the 20th century, Pavel's son is involved in KGB espionage and goes to the United States to seek out the murderers of his lover. Pavel's father is introduced and was a deserter from the Red Army.^[2]

Reception

Publishers Weekly wrote that the book is beautifully and lyrically written, praising Makine's treatment of memories and repetitions over the generations.^[2] Kirkus Reviews called the book moving and resonant, but wrote that "geopolitical conflict is analyzed with a tad too much discursive insistence", comparing it to The English Patient and calling it "a lesser work".^[3]