Sergei Lukyanenko
Genres
Science Fiction, Fantasy Fiction
Biography
Sergei Lukyanenko, born in Kazakhstan, is one of the foremost Russian science-fiction writers and one of the few to have received tremendous acclaim outside of Russia. After originally studying as a psychiatrist, Lukyanenko turned to science-fiction with the monthly publication of Where the Mean Enemy Lurks in 1988. However, the works that shot him to the dizzying heights that he now occupies were Knights of the Forty Islands, which won an award for the best heroic-romantic fantasy and science-fiction in 1995, and The Nuclear Dream. In 1999 he became the youngest ever writer to win the Aelita award for making a “major contribution to Russian science-fiction”.
Nevertheless, he is best known, particularly abroad, for his incredibly popular series of "Watches", starting with Night Watch and ending, fittingly, with Final Watch. Night Watch (Ночной Дозор), published in 1998, chronicles the supernatural conflict between two policing organisations, the Night Watch and Day Watch, who strive to uphold the truce between good and evil. It was deservedly well received by critics and fans alike and was awarded the “Strannik” Prize for the best novel of 1999. Lukyanenko continued this success with Day Watch (Дневной Дозор), which was awarded joint first place in the “Gold RosCon” award for the best book of 2000. Twilight Watch and Final Watch completed this highly-distinguished tetralogy, which has now sold more than two million copies worldwide.
The first three books of this series have been condensed into two imaginative blockbuster adaptations, directed by Timur Bekmambetov, also from Kazakhstan. Bekmambetov's dynamic reproduction of Lukyanenko's unique vision enjoyed global success, introducing a new generation to the richness of Russian science fiction, and making Bekmambetov's reputation as one of the world's hottest young directors.
Inspired and inventive, Lukyanenko has delved beneath the surface of Moscow to create a visionary underground world and a franchise that is one of the most well-known and well-loved in contemporary Russian fiction.
Sergei lives in Moscow, with his wife and two sons. This star of Russian SF is fond of pets and cooking, and enjoys collecting mouse figurines, smoking his favourite pipe and enjoying his breath-taking success.
Prizes and awards
Selected Awards
| 2010 | Alexander Grin Prize |
| 2010 | Ruscon Science Fiction Award (Clumsy / Недотепа) |
| 2009 | Star Bridge Gold Kladutsey Award (Clumsy / Недотепа) |
| 2008 | Kurd-Laßwitz-Preis Award for the Best Foreign Novel (Spektrum / Спектр) |
| 2007 | Corine - Books for the Young People Award (Dances on the Snow / Танцы на снегу) |
| 2005 | Ruscon Science Fiction Writer of the Year |
| 2004 | Star Bridge Gold Kladutsey Award (Twilight Watch / Сумеречный Дозор) |
| 2003 | Star Bridge Gold Kladutsey Award (Spectrum / Спектр) |
| 2003 | EuroCon-2003 Best European Author |
| 2003 | Interpresscon Award (Spectrum / Спектр) |
| 2003 | SF Forum Sigma-F Award (Spectrum / Спектр) |
| 2002 | Ruscon Alisa Award (Dances in the Snow / Танцы на снегу) |
| 2002 | Interpresscon Award (short story From Fate / От судьбы) |
| 2001 | Russcon Gold Award (Day Watch / Дневной Дозор) |
| 2001 | Interpresscon Russian Science Fiction Award (Seekers of the Sky / Искатели неба) |
| 2001 | Lituanikon, Winner, Best Foreign Novel (Labyrinth of Reflections / Лабиринт отражений) |
| 2001 | Stranger Award (short story Evening Conference with Mr Separate Deputy / Вечерняя беседа с господином особым послом) |
| 2000 | Interpresscon Award (False Mirrors / Фальшивые зеркала) |
| 2000 | Star Bridge Gold Kladutsey award (Day Watch / Дневной Дозор) |
| 1999 | Aelita Award for Outstanding Contribution to Science Fiction |
| 1999 | Stranger Award (Night Watch / Ночной Дозор) |
| 1998 | SF Forum “Sigma-F” Award (Autumn Visits / Осенние визиты) |
| 1996 | Interpresscon Award (short story Servant / Слуга) |
| 1995 | Interpresscon Award (short story Poached Fugu / Фугу в мундире) |
Books
- Dive to the Stars / Донырнуть до звезд), AST, 2008
- Recurring Funeral / Периодическая тризна, 2008
- Dances on the Snow / Танцы на снегу, 2007
- Cold Shores / Холодные Берега, 2007
- Final Draft / Чистовик, 2007
- Today Mom! / Сегодня мама!, AST, 2006
- The Last Watch / Последний Дозор, 2006
- Morning Nears / Близится Утро, 2006
- Rough Draft / Черновик, 2005
- H is for Human / Л - значит Люди, AST, 2005
- Labyrinth Trilogy / Лабиринт. Трилогия, 2004
- Twilight Watch / Сумеречный Дозор, 2003
- Spectrum /Спектр), 2002
- Day Watch / Дневной Дозор, 2000
- Genome / Геном, 1999
- Star Shadow / Звездная Тень, 1998
- Night Watch / Ночной Дозор, 1998
- The Boy and the Darkness / Мальчик и Тьма, 1997
- Autumn Visits / Осенние визиты, 1997
- Not the time for dragons / Не время для драконов, 1997
- The Stars Are Cold Toys / Звезды - холодные игрушки, 1997
- Line of Delirium / Линия грез, 1995
- Emperors of Illusions / Императоры иллюзий, 1995
- Island Russia / Остров Русь, 1994
- Tsar Tsarevich King Prince / Царь царевич король королевич, 1994
- A Lord from Planet Earth / Лорд с планеты Земля, 1994
- Knights of Forty Islands / Рыцари сорока островов, 1992
- Nuclear Dream / Атомный Сон, 1992
- The man that couldn't do very much / Человек который многого не умел, 1988
Foreign Publications
In English
- The Twilight Watch, Random House, 2008
- The Day Watch, 2008
- The Last Watch, Random House, 2008
- The night watch, Random House, 2007