Hit French novel sympathetic to Putin worries critics

January 21, 2023 By La rédaction de Mediapart

Giuliano da Empoli's novel The Wizard of the Kremlin has become a bestseller in France since its publication shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but some critics are concerned that its broadly sympathic portrayal of Vladimir Putin may influence French policy towards the ongoing war.

Reading articles is for subscribers only. Subscribe now.

There are “two things that Russians require from the state: internal order and external power.” So says a fictional President Vladimir V. Putin in Le Mage du Kremlin, or “The Wizard of the Kremlin,” a novel exploring the inner workings of his government that has captivated France, winning prizes and selling over 430,000 copies, reports The New York Times.

Hit French novel sympathetic to Putin worries critics

You are a subscriberLogin

If you are not already a subscriber,subscribe here

You are a subscriber
Login

If you are not already a subscriber,
subscribe here