A Journey Through the Absurd and the Heartfelt: A Review of Endling by Maria Reva
From the moment I stumbled upon Maria Reva’s Endling, I was intrigued. A novel weaving together quirky science, dark humor, and poignant reflections on war? Sign me up! As I dug deeper, I discovered it was more than just an imaginative premise; it was a thought-provoking exploration of resilience set in Ukraine just before the Russian invasion in 2022. Longlisted for the Booker Prize 2025, Endling solidifies Reva’s brilliance as an author who can deftly intertwine sharp humor with the heartbreaking absurdities of life.
At the heart of the story is Yeva, an itinerant snail scientist on a mission to catalog and rescue dying species. Her world is anything but mundane. Alongside her unlikely companion Lefty, the last of his kind, Yeva navigates the bureaucratic maze of scientific funding while dipping her toes into the chaotic world of a marriage agency with Nastia and her sister Sol. Here lies the beauty of Reva’s narrative—you’d think the combination of snails and matrimonial enterprises seems quirky at best, but the layers within this tale reveal a complex tapestry of human experience during tumultuous times.
Yeva is a wonderfully relatable character, embodying the struggles and skepticism researchers face today. I adored her wry observations, especially one poignant moment where she reflects on the nature of belief: “Rumor had it the girl was into God…the religious ones made the perfect victims.” This clever humor is laced throughout the novel, making painful truths more digestible while still confronting the reader with the gravity of war’s repercussions.
Reva’s writing style is another standout aspect—sharp, evocative, and at times absurdly playful. She seamlessly fuses metafiction with vivid imagery and clever commentary, pulling readers into a rollercoaster of emotions. One of my favorite moments that exemplifies her wit comes from her tongue-in-cheek acknowledgment of her own unreliable narrative: “I need to keep fact and fiction straight, but they keep blurring together.” It’s this playful relationship with readers that cultivates a sense of intimacy, almost inviting us to navigate the chaotic blend of reality and storytelling.
As I turned each page, I was struck by how Reva managed to balance the heavy themes of war and ecological preservation with moments of humor and humanity. The dark reality of the marriage industry is almost absurdly juxtaposed against the fight to save Lefty, highlighting how life clings to threads of hope even amidst despair.
Perhaps what resonated most with me is Reva’s exploration of resilience and female rage. In a world overshadowed by conflict, her characters’ tenacity becomes a testament to human spirit. This isn’t just a war novel; it’s a vivid portrayal of struggle, laughter, and the relentless pursuit of purpose against insurmountable odds.
If you’re looking for a book that embraces dark humor while tackling serious themes with grace, Endling will not disappoint. It’s essential reading for anyone interested in exploring the intricate layers of existence—the resilience of humanity, the necessity of ecological awareness, and the vibrancy of lives touched by absurdity.
In closing, Endling left a lasting impact on me. My hope is that it finds its way into the hands of readers seeking a heartfelt exploration of life’s dualities. Maria Reva has crafted a masterpiece that deserves a cherished spot on every bookshelf; it’s a book that urges us to reflect on the resilience inherent in both nature and the human condition.
Discover more about Endling on GoodReads >>