Arkadi and Boris Strugatski – Monday Starts on Saturday 2017 Turkish Book Turkey

Arkadi and Boris Strugatski – Pazartesi Cumartesiden Başlar (Monday Starts on Saturday) – 2017 İthaki Yayınları Edition

Description:

This book, titled Pazartesi Cumartesiden Başlar (Monday Starts on Saturday), was written by Arkady Strugatsky and Boris Strugatsky and published in Turkish by İthaki Yayınları in 2017. It is one of the most distinctive and satirical works in Soviet science fiction, often associated with the authors’ broader Noon Universe, though it stands largely as a self-contained narrative.

The novel follows Aleksandr Privalov, a programmer who becomes involved with a mysterious research institute where science and magic coexist. The institute’s researchers study supernatural phenomena with scientific rigor, blending folklore, mythology, and advanced theory into a uniquely imaginative setting.

Structured as a series of episodic adventures, the narrative moves through absurd experiments, eccentric scientists, and surreal bureaucratic systems. The result is a satirical portrayal of scientific institutions, intellectual life, and the contradictions of Soviet-era bureaucracy.

Rather than focusing on a traditional plot, the book emphasizes humor, parody, and conceptual exploration. The Strugatsky brothers use fantasy elements—such as magical creatures and impossible technologies—to critique real-world systems, particularly the inefficiencies and rigidities of institutional structures.

Themes of curiosity, knowledge, and the joy of discovery run throughout the novel, balanced by a sharp sense of irony. The title itself reflects the idea that true scientific passion erases the boundary between work and personal time, with researchers so dedicated that their “Monday” effectively begins on Saturday.

Although not a central narrative entry in the Noon Universe, the novel shares thematic connections with the Strugatskys’ broader work, particularly their interest in the role of science, progress, and human creativity.

For collectors, this Turkish edition represents a notable publication of one of the authors’ most unique and entertaining works. Its blend of satire, fantasy, and science fiction makes it a distinctive addition to any collection.

Key Features:

• Title: Pazartesi Cumartesiden Başlar (Monday Starts on Saturday)

• Authors: Arkady Strugatsky; Boris Strugatsky

• Publisher: İthaki Yayınları

• PublicationYear: 2017

• Language: Turkish

• Genre: Science fiction; fantasy; satire

• Format: Episodic novel

• Main Character: Aleksandr Privalov

• Setting: Research institute combining science and magic

• Core Concept: Scientific study of supernatural phenomena

• Themes: Knowledge; curiosity; bureaucracy; satire; creativity

• Narrative Style: Humorous; episodic; concept-driven

• Series: Standalone with thematic links to Noon Universe

• Significance: One of the most satirical and unconventional Soviet sci-fi works

• Collector Appeal: Turkish edition of a cult classic blending science and fantasy