2024-07-27 23:01:57
What this book is and isn’t
“I know some people will say after reading the book: it’s too scary.” – that’s what the first sentence on the back of the book sounds like. But after reading the book, I immediately want to object: no, only those who read the title of the book will think so. Because the book is not a collection of comments and predictions by Facebook experts, politicians seeking election or re-election, or otherwise depressed people who tend to paint everything in dark colors, but an action novel. Not depressed, but on the contrary – combative. Not overly heroic, not overly optimistic, not full of action for the sake of action – but fairly realistic.
Don’t be angry – I’ll give away a bit of the plot right away: Lithuania does not give up, it is not crushed in a few hours or days – but starts to fight. And it does it really well, as far as possible. Yes, as it would be in reality. And she’s doing quite well.
By the way, what is this technothriller? Well, a thriller is a work of intense action, and “techno” in this case means technological detail, that is, the inclusion of realistic technological details and elements in the narrative. And by that term, “The Day” certainly lives up to the definition. In short, there are definitely “paddles” and “oars” in the book (although maybe not as detailed and often as one would like for larger paracomans), and for those who don’t know anything about these terms, there are footnotes that explain everything simply.
Advantages and disadvantages
The book reads very quickly and easily (checked – it is possible to finish it in three hours). For two reasons – firstly, there is really not much text, and the publication is richly illustrated with impressive photos. Which, by the way, creates a really good atmosphere – but on the other hand, it seems like it’s balanced for the reader who doesn’t have a long attention span, which is maybe not a bad decision in terms of marketing, but can be a bit annoying for the classic reader.
Secondly, here everything is told from the perspective of the characters and everything is divided into short chapters, which are clearly divided chronologically (the past – Lithuania’s eighties and nineties – and the speculative future – 2025). The entire narration alternates rhythmically with a clear declaration of the era, so there is no confusion. Also, lots of dialogue and action. So you will definitely not get bored.
Disadvantages – First, the book is way too short. The first impression is that this is maybe more like a fifth or a sixth of a classic technothriller, especially since “The Day” really does not end at all, it is only interrupted after the completion of one active scene (who is interested – the rescue of the President of Lithuania). So, in terms of the plot, there is no final climax here, and it is obvious that a sequel would be needed, which the author has probably already foreseen. We have to hope, we will get it.
Second, it is hard to say whether it is due to the relatively small volume of the book (184 pages) or whether the volume is just that relatively small – but some essential character development is missing. The main character is brought up really well enough (though again – it is not so clearly said why he connected his life specifically with the war), but here is his romantic partner, the love of his life and inspiration – completely without motivation explaining his actions. No, it is definitely not two-dimensional or empty – but the motives revealed to the reader are already very dismissive. It’s just – ah, it’s already happened. And I would like equality in character development. Especially the cornerstones.
Respect for the final antagonist instead. Perfectly created, with all the problems – historical, psychological and political. It’s not just a bad guy for the sake of being bad, everything is not only dramatic, but also logical and coherent.
Love
Yes, many – probably especially men – will smile ironically (at least in their minds) at this point. Because love is not a man’s business, and even more so not in the context of war. Because love is also banal, naive, worn out. What the hell is there to put some more love in here – next to those who sow fragments claymores and intensive chopping love at fifty cals?
But after all, we have probably all fallen in love at least once. As much as one would like to believe, a significant part of all of us are born of love, not just physiological adventures.
And G. Petkevičius conveys all this as it really happened. Without banality, unworn, convincing and pleasantly nostalgic. The same goes for (moderate) eroticism – in Lithuanian literature, this area is often highly problematic, and in “Diena” just enough space is left for fantasy, which does not make everything seem banal or vulgar.
Assessment
“The day THEY will come” is truly a book like no other in Lithuania. Because in our country no one has yet written a modern-day military technothriller (however, it would be fair to mention that, in the opinion of some readers, Bernard Gailius’s “Smell of Blood” can be brought closer to such a genre – it’s true, that novel is not about current times), no one did not write a speculative story about another (though not yet, but certainly likely) attempt on Lithuanian independence, and no one tried to do it in the form in which this book was published – combining visual and novelistic.
The biggest advantage is that the book is not dark or depressing. On the contrary, she is inspiring and supportive. Yes, there are a lot of unpleasant, painful things here, and the experiences of the themes and characters are definitely not all positive – but that is the experience of each of us, and after all, one of the key moments in life is not to give up before the fight has even begun.
Well, the book should be especially fun for soldiers of the National Defense Volunteer Forces and Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union. Although in fact – for every Lithuanian man and woman who are determined to defend their country.
2024-07-27 23:01:57