Boris Akunin – Russian Author in Exile

Hundreds of Russians gathered in a central London auditorium to listen to Boris Akunin, the renowned author of a popular detective series, express his view that the actions of the Russian Army in the Ukraine war are criminal.

Despite his immense success with his detective series set in late czarist times, Boris Akunin’s outspoken criticism has led to him being labeled a “terrorist” by the Kremlin and his works effectively banned in Russia. The author, who has been in self-imposed exile in London for a decade, openly condemned President Vladimir V. Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine in February 2022, stating that “Russia is ruled by a psychologically deranged dictator.”

Feeling a sense of urgency to reach his domestic audience and potentially instigate change at home, Boris Akunin has been prolific in his writing since the war began, despite already being a prolific writer. His vast body of work, which includes novels, plays, and an extensive history of the Russian state, has been translated into over 40 languages.

However, his standing in Russia’s literary sphere took a hit when he fell victim to a prank call from pro-Kremlin pranksters posing as senior Ukrainian officials. During the call, he expressed support for justifying military action against Russia during wartime and discussed fundraising for Ukrainian refugees.

Reflecting on his increased writing output during these turbulent times, Boris Akunin shared with his audience in London that writing has become a form of escapism for him, surpassing even the lure of a drinking binge.