(book review)

Today, I would like to share my thoughts on the Ukrainian book ‘I See You’re Interested in Darkness’ by Illarion Pavlyuk. The book is published by the Stary Lev Publishing House, has 664 pages and a hard cover. The book tells the story of Andrii Gaister, a criminal psychologist from Kyiv, who ends up in the village of Buskiv Sad. There he is surrounded by many secrets that he will have to deal with. ‘I See You Are Interested In The Darkness’ is a story about impenetrable human indifference and the darkness within us. About being honest with ourselves and the price we are willing to pay for forgetting. About sins that materialize and about atonement, more expensive than peace.

In most books about maniacs and psychopaths, evil is usually embodied in the form of a criminal or their gang. However, ‘I See You’re Interested in Darkness’ is a surprise because the negative image here is not limited to the killer alone, but also includes the villagers who are indifferent to the horrific events and live on, hating their existence.

In literature, indifference is one of the most painful and relatable themes. In this context, criminal psychologist Andriy will have to investigate a complex case that will put him in a difficult position. Will the main character be able to untangle the knot of this terrible mystery and catch the ruthless maniac?

The book captures the reader with its light style and unexpected twists, making it difficult to put down. It’s a story about the inner darkness that is close to all of us, about the fear of the truth, and the sins that we need to atone for.

One of the most memorable quotes from the book is, “People always leave their mark. Some leave it on paper, others on the land, but we all leave something behind” (Pavlyuk, 2020, p. 65). This quote clearly captures one of the central themes of the book, which is the idea that every person has the power to leave a lasting impact on the world around them.

Overall, I found ‘I See You’re Interested in Darkness to be a compelling and thought-provoking read. Pavlyuk is a talented writer who does an excellent job of exploring complex themes like identity, loss, and the passage of time. His characters are well-drawn and feel like real people with all their flaws and complexities.

However, one minor criticism I have of the book is that the pacing can feel a bit slow at times. There are moments when the story seems to drag on, and I find myself wishing that it would move along a bit more quickly.

Despite this minor flaw, I would still highly recommend ‘I See You’re Interested in Darkness’ to anyone looking for a captivating and emotionally rich read. Pavlyuk is a gifted writer with a unique voice, and his book is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it.

In conclusion, I would give ‘I See You’re Interested in Darkness’ a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. While the pacing can be slow at times, the book’s powerful themes and well-drawn characters more than make up for it. This is a book that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it.