Boris Akunin
Russian writer of the Sister Pelagia series.
Boris Akunin is the Russian writer of the novel *Pelagia and the Red Rooster* (published in the US as *Sister Pelagia and the Red Cockerel*), a 2003 novel that is the third in the Sister Pelagia series. The series began with *Pelagia and the White Bulldog* (2001) and *Pelagia and the Black Monk* (2001). Akunin is described as a Russian scholar by Mary Fitzgerald of *The Guardian*.
- born
- 20 May 1956
- field
- Historical fiction, detective novels, literary translation
- nationality
- Georgian and Russian
- known_for
- Erast Fandorin detective novels
Lore & Background
The novel *Pelagia and the Red Rooster* opens with the murder of Emmanuel (also known as Manuila), the leader of a religious sect called the Foundlings, on a steamship. Pelagia discovers the victim was an impostor and the real Emmanuel is alive. She follows his trail from Russia to the Holy Land. Emmanuel is an eccentric wandering prophet with a lisp and a habit of using bookish words 'at appropriate and inappropriate points,' plus mind-reading powers and an ability to bring out the best in people. Pelagia catches up with him in the Gethsemane garden, where he claims to be Jesus Christ who ended up in the nineteenth century after passing through a mystical cave. He desires to return to his epoch and presumably does so by entering the cave with a red rooster. Pelagia follows him and also disappears.
Reader's Guide
Reception for *Pelagia and the Red Rooster* includes Mary Fitzgerald of *The Guardian* calling it 'a lively, engaging thriller whose subject matter allows Akunin, a Russian scholar, to ask provocative questions about faith.' Melissa McClements of *Financial Times* noted 'a certain quaint cosiness to Pelagia’s tales, emanating from her bespectacled, clumsy, constantly knitting presence.' Brandon Robshaw of *The Independent* said it is 'both relaxing and stimulating at the same time.' *Kirkus Reviews* stated: 'The final revelation is nothing short of epochal.' Patricia Cohen of *The New York Times* described the novel as 'absorbing' and said 'Mr. Akunin adeptly weaves philosophical musings and suspense.'
Did You Know?
- The novel was published in 2003 as *Pelagia and the Red Rooster* and in the US as *Sister Pelagia and the Red Cockerel*.
- It is the third novel in the Sister Pelagia series, preceded by *Pelagia and the White Bulldog* (2001) and *Pelagia and the Black Monk* (2001).
- The murder victim Emmanuel is also known as Manuila, leader of a religious sect called the Foundlings.
- The real Emmanuel has a lisp and a habit of putting in bookish words 'at appropriate and inappropriate points.'
- Emmanuel claims to be Jesus Christ who ended up in the nineteenth century after passing through a mystical cave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Boris Akunin?
Boris Akunin is the pen name of Grigori Chkhartishvili, a Georgian-Russian author born on 20 May 1956. He is most widely recognized for his historical detective novels centered on the character Erast Fandorin, and he also works as an essayist and literary translator.
What is the Erast Fandorin series about?
The Fandorin novels are a sequence of historical mysteries set in Imperial Russia, following a young investigator as he untangles political conspiracies and criminal cases across the late 1800s and early 1900s. The series blends period detail with fast-paced plotting and has become Akunin's signature body of work.
What is Boris Akunin's nationality?
Akunin holds dual Georgian and Russian nationality. He was born in 1956 and writes primarily in Russian, drawing on both his Georgian heritage and his long residence in Russia.
Does Boris Akunin publish under other names?
Yes. Beyond the Akunin pen name, Grigori Chkhartishvili has issued essays and translations under several additional pseudonyms, giving his non-fiction and translated work a distinct identity from his Fandorin fiction.
What genres does Boris Akunin write in?
His published output covers historical fiction, detective novels, literary translation, and essay writing. Among these, the Erast Fandorin detective series remains his most celebrated and frequently translated contribution to the mystery and thriller canon.
More in Mystery And Thriller Writers 1-22
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record