{"product_id":"book-ikko","title":"Death and the Penguin","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA penguin is all that stands between one man and murder by the mafia\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSit back and enjoy this darkly comic full-cast adaptation of Andrey Kurkov's bestselling novel set in mid-90s Ukraine, plus a bonus interview with the author.\u003cbr\u003eViktor Alekseyevich Zolotaryov is an aspiring writer in Ukraine, with only his pet king penguin, Misha, for company. After Viktor gets a job writing obituaries for a local newspaper, he soon finds that his articles are being used as a hit list by some unknown organisation. Feeling as lost and unhappy as his penguin, Viktor's life takes a complicated turn when he takes in Sonya, the young daughter of an old friend, and hires Nina to be her nanny. Can Viktor protect everyone and keep himself (and his penguin) alive, or is he destined to become the subject of the paper's latest obituary?\u003cbr\u003eA blend of Gogol's absurdist humour and Kafka's alienation, this tragi-comedy is set in the wild west atmosphere of a newly independent Ukraine following the collapse of the Soviet Union. At its heart, this is a story about surviving and enduring in perilous times.\u003cbr\u003eStarring Tom Basden (\u003ci\u003eAfter Life) \u003c\/i\u003eas aspiring writer Viktor, and BAFTA winner Jason Watkins (\u003ci\u003eThe Crown\u003c\/i\u003e) as the mysterious Lyosha.\u003cbr\u003eThis release also includes an episode of BBC Radio's \u003ci\u003eWorld Book Club, \u003c\/i\u003ein which Kurkov discusses his darkly funny tale with Harriett Gilbert. Recorded live in his native Ukraine, at the historic Mikhail Bulgakov Museum in Kiev, he responds to listeners' questions from around the world.\u003cbr\u003eAndrey Kurkov is a Ukrainian author who writes in Russian. He has written 19 novels and is a respected commentator on Ukraine, regularly appearing on Radio 4 with his 'Letters from Ukraine' series. \u003ci\u003eDeath and the Penguin\u003c\/i\u003e is Kurkov's most famous work, translated into more than 30 languages.\u003cbr\u003e©2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDeath and the Penguin \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWritten by Andrey Kurkov\u003cbr\u003eTranslated by George Bird\u003cbr\u003eAdapted by Hattie Naylor\u003cbr\u003eDirected by Gemma Jenkins\u003cbr\u003eViktor - Tom Basden\u003cbr\u003eLyosha - Jason Watkins\u003cbr\u003eIgor - David Hounslow\u003cbr\u003eSonya - Blythe Arbery\u003cbr\u003eNina - Chloë  Sommer\u003cbr\u003eMisha-non-Penguin - Roger Ringrose\u003cbr\u003eSergey - Tom Kiteley\u003cbr\u003eNatasha - Fiona Skinner\u003cbr\u003eDr Pidpaly - Joanna Monro\u003cbr\u003eFirst Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 14 January 2023\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWorld Book Club: Andrey Kurkov - Death and the Penguin \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePresented by Harriett Gilbert\u003cbr\u003eFirst Broadcast BBC World Service, 5 September 2015\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Penguin UK","offers":[{"title":"Audiobook","offer_id":49351711359280,"sku":"BDikko","price":14.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0879\/2784\/9264\/files\/ikko-Square-cover.jpg?v=1770782733","url":"https:\/\/downpour.com\/products\/book-ikko","provider":"Downpour","version":"1.0","type":"link"}