STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobylis the latest entry into the belovedSTALKERfranchise, but not all fans know that the whole thing originally started out as a book. That’s right, theSTALKERseries was imagined (perhaps unsurprisingly) during the second wave of great Russian sci-fi which came during the early 1970s. It is arguably one of the most successful adaptations of a novel into the video game medium.Readers of the book will be sure to get extra enjoyment from playing the game, and vice versa.
The following books cover a range of different themes and styles, with some more directly related toSTALKERthan others. However, all of them will surely be of interest to the hardcore fans of theSTALKERseries, as well as readers in general who want more of the gritty, eerie and immersive sci-fi present in the games.
8Chernobyl - The Zone
By Francisco Sanchez & Natacha Bustos
Chernobyl - The Zoneis a graphic novel by Francisco Sanchez and Natacha Bustos which aims to capture the reality of the Chernobyl evacuation and how it impacted the inhabitants of the area. While it may not contain the action and combat of theSTALKERseries, it providesbeautifully rendered artworkof many iconic landmarks present in the game.
The book itself is heavily grounded fiction. While the specific characters it focuses on are made up, all the events and circumstances they go through would have been experienced by real people. The result is a touching tribute which will enhance the experience ofSTALKERplayers whenever they pass through a recognizable location from The Zone.
7Annihilation
By Jeff VanderMeer
Jeff VanderMeer’sAnnihilationis similar toSTALKERin a number of ways, centered around a dangerous and uninhabitable alien zone known as ‘Area X.’ The book won the Nebula Award for best novel in 2014, and was later adapted into a movie starring Natalie Portman.
The book is the first in the Southern Reach series, and is definitely one to add to the collection of any avid sci-fi reader. The book alsofeatures a female protagonist, which is relatively rare for a traditional action/sci-fi story.
6The Road
By Cormac McCarthy
Cormac McCarthy’s 2006 post-apocalypse novelThe Roadwas something of an instant classic as soon as it was published. Now adapted into a motion picture starring none other than Viggo Mortensen (known for his role as Aragorn fromLord of the Rings), the story is a brutal tale ofstruggle and survival in a barren and hostile environment.
The bleak atmosphere and philosophical tones will be familiar toSTALKERfans, even if the subject matter isn’t overtly sci-fi or necessarily as action-packed. The story is somewhat similar toThe Last of Us, with themes of protection and parenthood also at the forefront.
5One Day In The Life of Ivan Denisovich
By Alexander Solzhenitsyn
Depicting the brutal reality of life in a Soviet prison camp, Alexander Solzhenitsyn’sOne Day In The Life of Ivan Denisovichis based on the author’s lived experiences. It provides an unflinching look at how ‘disobedients’ were treated under such a regime, and ties into the oppressive and authoritarian background which looms in theSTALKERseries.
As well as containing extensive details about the daily struggle for survival inside a gulag, it also provides a valuable psychological insight, which is not always easy to portray in a video game. Reading this book will instill a newfound appreciation for the basic freedoms we take for granted.
4We
By Yevgeny Zamyatin
Yevgeny Zamyatin’sWeis perhaps the most underrated book ever written. Serving as the inspiration for George Orwell’s1984and Aldous Huxley’sBrave New World, as well as everything which came after,Weis aclassic work of 1920s Russian sci-fiand one of the earliest dystopian novels ever written.
Set in a scientific ‘utopia,’ the protagonist, D-503, suddenly develops a soul and realizes that the world he has grown up in is actually heavily confined and restricted. D-503 sets off to break beyond the ‘Green Wall’ and venture into untamed nature.
3Metro 2033
By Dmitry Glukhovsky
Thehighly acclaimedMetroseriesis another one of the best video game adaptations of a novel series ever created. In addition to staying faithful to the source material, the games manage to perfectly capture the gloomy atmosphere that is described so well in the books.
Combining post-apocalyptic survival with supernatural horrors, political intrigue, and psychological instability,Metro 2033is one of the best in its genre. It will certainly appeal to anyone who likes the gritty atmosphere of theSTALKERseries.
2S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Southern Comfort/Northern Passage
By John Mason & Balazs Pataki
STALKER Southern Comfortis the first English-language novel based entirely inside theSTALKERuniverse, and received approval from GSC Games. The sequel,STALKER Northern Passage, is also officially approved, though neither story takes place entirely in Chernobyl.
Both stories help toexpand the universe of the games considerably, weaving in recognizable events, locations, and characters in the process. Unfortunately, both books are extremely rare these days, with physical copies selling for upwards of $850.
1Roadside Picnic
By Arkady & Boris Strugatsky
For fans of theSTALKERseries, it doesn’t get much better than going straight to the original source material. Originally published in 1972 during an era of heavy Soviet censorship, the fact that the novel ever saw the light of day is something of a miracle in itself.
The novel tells the story of Red Schuhart, a veteran stalker who frequents ‘The Zone’ to retrieve alien artifacts following a mysterious event known as ‘The Visit.‘Roadside Picnicis where it all began, and the witty writing still holds up today as a masterwork of science fiction.
