Review: Metro 2033
Metro 2033 by Dmitry GlukhovskyMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Detailed review pending.
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From the very first chapter, the author had me hooked, with the detailed dives into the history and lore of how exactly, the remnants of humanity came to live in such existential squalor. How the populace had devolved into tribalistic colonies centered around the metro stations, where only a thin veneer of law and order held sway, just enough that humans don’t devolve into utter barbarity and cannibalism; well, mostly. How, lack of basic necessities we today take for granted, such as clean running water, medicines, and lights, are slowly but surely pushing them ever closer to the edge of annihilation. How, a simple errant spark, a mutated strain, some contaminated water is all that would take to break the delicate balance of the tunnel ecosystem.
Against the countless horrors and hazards that were wrought by nuclear irradiation, against the threats they present, the humans have barely managed to stave off the permanent night, only through the vestiges of yesteryear civilization. The last remnants of human scientific and technological marvels are what hold us together in these dark times. But we know, as well as the metro men, these are finite resources, ones that are slowly being made less effective with time and the tide. With no means of repairing or replenishing them, it is literally a race to make what little they have last just a second longer.
Our protagonist Artyom, is one of the last generations who was born on the surface, and has at least vague childhood imaginations as to what that life was like. Those born after, in the darkness, the dread, and the deceptive safety of the tunnels, cannot even fathom what it means, to not be surrounded by the oppressive yet protecting concrete structure of the tunnels enveloping them at all times. When someone tries to explain that there, outside, there is a vast sky, and horizon, as far and wide as eyes can see, this very concept seems fantastical or nonsensical to them. Like a man who spent their entire lives in a desert planet, asked to imagine the near infinitude of an ocean, they chose to live in denial.
Yet, despite all this, the most significant threat that looms over humanity’s continued existence is themselves. It is said that if you put two people in a locked empty room, after some time, they’ll find a reason to argue with each other, and draw lines along which they can be divided.
The tens of thousands of unfortunate souls who call the Moscow Metro their home, have similarly found a multitude of factions, cults, ideologies and cliques to divide themselves. Be it the old favorites such as the communists, fascists or capitalists. Or the ones sprung from the unique flavor of the apocalypse, like cults of doom, worm worshippers, satanists, cannibals, mutants and whatnot. As well as other myriad of groups, formed either out of necessity or just plain absurdity. Bottom line is still a case of us versus them.
Wars, um, maybe more accurately conflicts of small scales were fought amongst the factions, to cleanse the followers of opposing ideologies, or in a scramble to secure the fast-dwindling resources. But, even the most stubborn warmongers have come to realize these conflicts are a negative sum game, ending up draining what resources they have in the vain hope of moderate prosperity. So, for now, there is a tentative peace in the metro. Not to say that occasional skirmishes don’t arise. It’s bound to happen, when you cram so many people in the human equivalent of an ant farm. These are swept under the rug, as most are not ready for war; yet.
Artyom starts as your typical YA protagonist, in fact the first half of the story is strikingly similar to your typical YA plot, where the spry youngling ventures out of their confiding environment in search of adventure and saving everyone. Earlier on, he even admits that, like most boys in the Metro, he dreamt of being a stalker, the metro equivalent of knights in shining armor who went to the surface world to gather valuable supplies, battle mutants and undertake missions which determine the very future of their existence. Which is partly why he accepted a mission from the enigmatic stalker named Hunter, who went to the surface to investigate the presence of Dark ones, mysterious mutants who were encroaching onto the metro.
As he travels across the metro, in search of a man to accomplish his mission, Artyom comes in contact with the various factions as well as a diverse group of individuals who each have their own unique ideology. Some are trying to etch out an existence in the mass of humanity. Others stick steadfastly to their political or religious dogmas in the hope that it might lead them to salvation. Even others, outliers, tread paths few would dare venture. All open to Artyom, new perspectives and force him to question all that he had come to learn in the self-imposed frog pond that he was in.
With the story reaching its climax, Artyom thoughts turn more and more introspective, and meditate. Rather than glory for glory’s sake, he begins to question the meaning and purpose of life, the universe and everything. That there is more to this onion, which reveals itself the more he peeled away at its layers.
The full scope of revelations to his thoughts and ruminations come to him in the littoral last minute. For that one minute, his mind was open to a new world, of possibilities, or kindness, of coexistence, or a better future. Where humanity would leave the shackles binding them to the darkness of the tunnels, and once again reclaim their ancestral right under the sun and the infinite skies.
Those dreams and aspirations however, never come to fruition, snatched away, and turned to ashes along with the ‘victory’ of humanity against the monsters. Leaving only him, the hero, to mourn and repent under the monument of his sins, cursed to live a life of knowing, of the hope that was promised, but never came to be. It is an incredible turn from beginning to end, and when Artyom’s soul shattered, we felt his pain, his suffering, his defeat. Now, that’s good storytelling.
The other aspect of the book that I absolutely fell in love with, is the dense and elaborate lore, as well as worldbuilding. Some things are only obvious after you’ve seen, heard or read about them. In hindsight, one would realize that setting up a post-apocalyptic dystopian underground society in a metro system, makes fertile ground by which you can clearly form factions and conflicts, and histories and lore with them. The structure of each station having their own unique lore, as well as the way in which they interact with each other positively, with suspicion, pragmatically or with outright hostility, creates a lot of rich conflict, as well as characters which can be endlessly mined for interesting interactions.
Because the story is set in Russia, a lot of names, places and the very structure of the metro system is difficult to grasp while reading, unless you intend to just skim over the whole thing. I didn’t. Which is why, a quarter or so into the book, I realized a need for a clear visual legend, which I can use to reference events and locations in real time. After spending some time mining the internet, I got a few good resources, maps, which were worth their worth in cartridges, when it came to understanding the lay of this fictional land.
As we traverse each section of the metro, as well as venture deeper into the abyss that is the tunnel, or when we take a perilous step outside, to the desolate death dealing trap that the ruined cityscape of Moscow has become, the writing really keeps you immerse, with atmospheric prose, and at times mind numbing, almost hallucinogenic narration. Kudos to Mr. Dmitri, in so vividly describing the mental state and feelings of our protagonist, to the point that the reader begins to imprint upon him.
In many ways, the world of Metro 2033, felt to me similar to the world of the gunslinger Roland, in Stephen King’s Dark Tower series. A place much lived in, explored, and yet holding so much to explore, so much to offer, and in the unknown lurks all manner of mysterious perils.
From the mysteriously singing tunnels which render a man dead where they stand. To the stations close to the surface exposed to radiation and constantly attacked by mutants, to the Great Public Library guarded by mutant ape creatures, The ruins of Kremlin and the read stars which shine with eerie hypnotic beckons housing eldritch horrors, to the cults of the worm and cannibalistic hordes, there is no shortage of dangers threatening to consume you whole and sunder your very existence.
Yet despite all this delectable, tantalizing plot points, and a decent survival thread, the one theme which the writer seems intent on communicating to us is a simple one. We humans are privileged to be alive during a time of (relatively) widespread peace. Where at least a good portion of the populace have access to basic necessities and the light of civilization. Yet we ourselves hold the keys to our own demise. Which can be wielded by reasons as frivolous and trivial as what a toddler might come up with. As cliche as it sounds, this is the only planet we have, and if we lose it, there is only the abyss, waiting for it to consume you at the end of time. So, value what you have.
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