
Vera Bogdanova, "Seven Ways to Salt Souls," Moscow: Bookmate, 2024
Many critics rightly point out that TV series are increasingly replacing reading as a leisure activity. This makes the release of a TV series—a book series—all the more valuable. Vera Bogdanova's literary "series" "Seven Ways to Salt Souls" premiered at the end of June and is now keeping thriller fans eagerly awaiting new episodes. It's hard to tear yourself away: the story centers on a cult seen through the eyes of its leader's daughter. The cult, though fictional, has a very real prototype, and Bogdanova, with her perfectly honed narrative technique (somewhat detached and emotionless), sometimes harshly confronts the reader with reality, sometimes immerses them in a sticky nightmare of the incomprehensible. This is entirely logical for a book where, instead of parts and chapters, there are "souls" and "exhalations." Incidentally, the audio version features the participation of "true crime queen" journalist Sasha Sulim, adding a touch of creepy charm to the series.
"Will he see the White Maiden if he turns around? A glimmer of light in her wide-open eyes, veiled in milk, two dots in the dense forest darkness."

