Tragedy has never been so funny
"‘Moscow Mule’ provides the necessary, exciting insight into the life of a completely “normal” student from Russia's capital. This is exactly the kind of modern life portrait that is missing on the book market at the moment. Maya Rosa tells the story of Erasmus students, parties and the fate of troubled women. At the centre, however, is the irrepressible urge to leave. No matter where. The main thing is to get out. The author never adopts a whiny tone, but lets what can stand on its own and sprinkles a marvellous amount of humour over her sentences. I loved the book, devoured it and photographed sentences that I found particularly funny or meaningful! I would love to be friends with Karina! Or directly with Maya Rosa!" - Paula Zander (20/05/2025)
Two survival artists caught between poverty, parties and Putin – the story of a friendship
It is the early 2000s, and Karina and Tonya share everything – their studies at uni in Moscow, drunk men, empty wallets, but especially the desire to move to Europe. While one half of Russian society decays amid luxury cars and caviar, the other, more or less penniless, cons its way through life. Karina, too, has learnt to navigate life with wit and a little madness, and to hold on to her dreams no matter what. But as she starts to prioritise her dreams over Tonya, what once seemed a friendship that would last forever begins to fray.
In her witty, intelligent debut novel «Moscow Mule», Maya Rosa deftly combines politics with a tale about growing up and the longing for freedom – and shows that a little joie de vivre can sometimes help you escape the shackles of society.