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The Death of Stalin Kindle & comiXology

by Fabien Nury (Author), Brett Ewins (Illustrator), Thierry Robin (Artist) Format: Kindle Edition
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The graphic novel that inspired the new Armando Iannucci movie which includes an all-star cast – Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Jason Isaacs, Michael Palin, and Jeffrey Tambor.

Fear, corruption and treachery abound in this political satire set in the aftermath of Stalin's death in the Soviet Union in 1953.

When the leader of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin, has a stroke - the political gears begin to turn, plunging the super-state into darkness, uncertainty and near civil war. The struggle for supreme power will determine the fate of the nation and of the world. And it all really happened.

A darkly comic tale about the power vacuum left behind by Stalin's death.
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  1. Part of Series
    The Death of Stalin
  2. Print length
    119 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    Not Enabled
  5. Publisher
    Titan
  6. Publication date
    July 5, 2017
  7. Grade level
    8 - 12
  8. File size
    327423 KB
  9. Page Flip
    Not Enabled
  10. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  11. Enhanced typesetting
    Not Enabled
  12. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 10 Up—The cinematic quality of this graphic novel is evident from its first page, which portrays a cast of secretive, scheming politicians; a dying tyrant; and messy family politics. All the while, the fate of communism hangs in the balance. The visuals depict long, darkened hallways and conversations observed from far above, regimented order and chaos coming in equal measure. Shadowy artwork with the slightest sparks of Soviet red adds to the spy film feel. But for all the intrigue, the story is simple. Joseph Stalin has a debilitating stroke: his henchmen scramble to deal with it, conceal the circumstances of his death, silence his family, and keep their tenuous power over the Russian people in place without their figurehead. Some sex, violence, and strong language make this an appropriate read for more mature teenage readers. VERDICT Overall, there's more mood than content in this slim, slick volume, which makes for an intriguing if incomplete read.—Emilia Packard, Austin, TX

Review

"Within minutes of starting to read the graphic novel, I knew I wanted to make the movie version." - Armando Iannucci, writer/director (The Death of Stalin, Veep, In The Loop, The Thick of It)

"Read the Death of Stalin and just loved it. I started laughing the moment he died!" - David Mandel, showrunner of HBO's Veep, writer of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld, and SNL

"Oozing with sleazy, appalling chicanery, the narrative by writer Nury (I Am Legion) and artist Robin (Death to the Tsar) captures a turbulent and disturbing period with solid visual storytelling. Robin depicts the sordid goings-on with elegant caricatures that give a clear view of the complete and utter awfulness of the cast, adding enough historical flair to nail down the era. It’s proof of the theory that tragedy plus time equals (very dark) comedy." - Publishers Weekly

"Juicy and engrossing, this story speaks of a style in political machinations going back centuries and inspiring both revulsion and twisted admiration." - Library Journal

"It’s a fun take on history that’ll have you researching what’s true and what’s close to the truth. But the key is, through all the weird, the story is beyond entertaining. 9 out of 10" - Graphic Policy

"One of the better political comedies to grace the comics page in recent years... expertly handled by writer Fabien Nury and artists Theirry Robin and Lorien Aureyre" - Vulture

"If you like scathing black comedy with a lot on its mind, you can't do better than The Death of Stalin. 9 out of 10" - Capeless Crusader

It doesn’t matter if you’re into historical events, everyone needs to pick this novel up." - Yelling About Comics

"An entertaining novel" - Flickering Myth

"A wonderful political thriller with some insight to the state of the USSR at the time of Stalin’s death" - Rogues Portal

"A fascinating examination of insanity and treachery" - Multiversity Comics

"The book is visually striking and unexpectedly cinematic" - Shelf Abuse

"A fantastic, satirical take on the course of events." - Grovel

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B06XH27R1K
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Titan (July 5, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 5, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 327423 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Not enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 119 pages
  • Customer Reviews:

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Thierry Robin

Thierry Robin

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
286 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the visual presentation good, easy to read, and funny. They also appreciate the historical content, saying it's well-told and beautifully illustrated.

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Visual presentationComedyHistorical content
13 customers mention "Visual presentation"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the visual presentation of the book good, richly textured, and amazing. They also appreciate the interesting art and nice sequences. Readers also mention that the print is very good and the ebook is perfect to read on an iPad.

"...I recommend the ebook, as it seems to be perfect to read on an IPad." Read more

"...But man what an amazing read. It is breathtaking what an authoritarian government can do to hobble people's minds and spirit...." Read more

"I learned so much from this story. So impressed by the attention to detail...." Read more

"...of classic literature inspired me to read the originals, this beautifully-drawn, well-told graphic novel inspires me, not necessarily to see the film..." Read more

3 customers mention "Comedy"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book pretty funny.

"A very interesting black satire on the bureaucracy of the USSR, the cunning of self interested career politicians, and how it all permeated even the..." Read more

"...Filled with gallows humor about the cut throat politics that happened to get Nikita Kruschev put into the Chairman's seat." Read more

"Pretty funny. If you liked the movie you'll like this. Its funny and has nice artwork. Just a weird size." Read more

3 customers mention "Historical content"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the historical content of the book well-told.

"...I think that this is an interesting approach to history, and would like to see it applied to other historical events, but the pageantry of the..." Read more

"The overall story is very interesting, and the artwork if fantastic (really interesting use of angles)...." Read more

"Beautiful artwork and well-told history..." Read more

2017 · edit it was amazing Having recently read Joshua Rubenstein's The Last Days of ...
5 out of 5 stars
2017 · edit it was amazing Having recently read Joshua Rubenstein's The Last Days of ...
42867686Barry Smirnoff's reviewAug 16, 2017 · editit was amazingHaving recently read Joshua Rubenstein's The Last Days of Stalin, I was interested in this graphic novel. It is being made into a major Hollywood film with Steve Buscemi, Jason Isaacs, and Jeffrey Tambor. This appears to be comedy, even though the actual events were in no way funny, nor is the graphic novel. I think that this is an interesting approach to history, and would like to see it applied to other historical events, but the pageantry of the Soviet Union lends itself to this medium. I recommend the ebook, as it seems to be perfect to read on an IPad.
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Top reviews from the United States

Paratrim1
5.0 out of 5 stars 2017 · edit it was amazing Having recently read Joshua Rubenstein's The Last Days of ...
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2017
Verified Purchase
42867686
Barry Smirnoff's review
Aug 16, 2017 · edit

it was amazing

Having recently read Joshua Rubenstein's The Last Days of Stalin, I was interested in this graphic novel. It is being made into a major Hollywood film with Steve Buscemi, Jason Isaacs, and Jeffrey Tambor. This appears to be comedy, even though the actual events were in no way funny, nor is the graphic novel. I think that this is an interesting approach to history, and would like to see it applied to other historical events, but the pageantry of the Soviet Union lends itself to this medium. I recommend the ebook, as it seems to be perfect to read on an IPad.
Customer image
Paratrim1
5.0 out of 5 stars 2017 · edit it was amazing Having recently read Joshua Rubenstein's The Last Days of ...
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2017
42867686
Barry Smirnoff's review
Aug 16, 2017 · edit

it was amazing

Having recently read Joshua Rubenstein's The Last Days of Stalin, I was interested in this graphic novel. It is being made into a major Hollywood film with Steve Buscemi, Jason Isaacs, and Jeffrey Tambor. This appears to be comedy, even though the actual events were in no way funny, nor is the graphic novel. I think that this is an interesting approach to history, and would like to see it applied to other historical events, but the pageantry of the Soviet Union lends itself to this medium. I recommend the ebook, as it seems to be perfect to read on an IPad.
Images in this review
Customer image
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5 people found this helpful
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Dog Man
5.0 out of 5 stars I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned many things about the Stalin ...
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2017
Verified Purchase
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned many things about the Stalin era. I'm sure there are many details that had to be left out from this complex chain of events due to space issues and I wish some of the back stories were explained further. They are worth exploring from a curious historian's perspective. But man what an amazing read. It is breathtaking what an authoritarian government can do to hobble people's minds and spirit. Worth remembering in today's world.
Excellent drawings and storyline! A quick and easy read.
8 people found this helpful
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Phred
4.0 out of 5 stars Dark humor to an extreme that is true to Stalin's Russia
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2018
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Passing judgement on Fabien Nury and Thierry Robin’s graphic novel. The Death of Stalin may be as much a study of the psychology of the reviewer as the quality of the book. This is a fictionalized version of life inside the belly of one of modern history’s most insidiously evil places and people. One has to question what it means to say that you liked a book like this. I am siding with the folks who call this black humor. Only it is blacker. Black like the sun had never shone.

The Story line has a firm anchor in historic events and real people. However the authors are clear that they intend The Death of Stalin as fiction. Even as fiction it is not that far off from the strange actual events and people as portrayed.

Given that this was a world of state directed arbitrary terror, and measured political intrigue, what does it mean to say you laughed at these craven people and these violent events? Is there a message in the contrived and genuinely believing leaders who so willingly put doctrine, even a twisted and corrupted version of doctrine over life and any retention of human dignity?

In the opening pages, Soviet Russian Dictator is cursed by the wife of one of his victims. He falls to the ground. Before doctors are called or any thought is given to the possibility he may still be alive, the members of the Supreme Central Committee meet to decide on who is left among the recently purged Moscow medical community who can be allowed near the dying beloved<?> leader.

The played out subtext of every word and action among these men, is, who is to assume power, under what terms and with who allowed to survive? Beria immediately executes his long planned machinations to either assume the Chair of the Soviet, or at least be the master string puller. Nikita Khrushchev lumbers into the maneuvering, but always seems to be behind Beria. Molotov comes close to being the one honorable man, in that he is to the end motivated by his abstract political doctrine. General Zhukov, is not a member of the Committee, but as head of the Army he is effectively the King maker. The rest of the Committee fall into camps, but as characters they do not appear as rounded figure.

This lack of depth in so many characters tends to make it hard to accept the too speedily reached resolution. This resolution is explained much better in the movie. Never explained is the importance of Stalin’s Children, both now adults neither, of no obvious consequence and both treated as key pawns in the power struggle.

The back drop to Stalin death is the continuation of the Stalinist State as a place where people are murdered on less than whim.

The art work on character faces is not well standardized. It is appropriate that the panels are drawn from awkward and unsettling angles. The muted, dark earth tones are all effective and again, appropriate.

There is something hard to read in The Death of Stalin; given how dark the place and time, but the humor, draws from the extremes that was this place and time.
10 people found this helpful
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JackMan68
5.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Read.
Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2023
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Both the book and the movie were great. Different versions of course and not historically accurate but very entertaining. Highly recommend!
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Hugh Lessig
5.0 out of 5 stars In depth, richly textured story
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2021
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I learned so much from this story. So impressed by the attention to detail. This graphic novel should be on your must read list if you are interested in Cold War history and what is known about Stalin 's death. Two thumbs up.
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Pierre A. Lonewolf
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2018
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Thought it would be better but not bad
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Jals
5.0 out of 5 stars Did I mention Stalin ruled even after his death?
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2018
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A very interesting black satire on the bureaucracy of the USSR, the cunning of self interested career politicians, and how it all permeated even the most simple aspects of the Soviet decision making process.

Did I mention Stalin ruled even after his death?
2 people found this helpful
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Larry Feign
4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful artwork and well-told history
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2020
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I had never heard of the film and had only a general idea about the history portrayed here. Well, just as Mr. Magoo's animated versions of classic literature inspired me to read the originals, this beautifully-drawn, well-told graphic novel inspires me, not necessarily to see the film, but to delve further into the known facts of the stranger-than-fiction circumstances surrounding Stalin's death and the machinations behind his succession. Considering the way the world is heading now, it pays to be more cognizant about the history of totalitarian regimes. Often cartoons offer a direct shot to the brain in teaching such lessons. You should read this book.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Shamus
5.0 out of 5 stars Very funny
Reviewed in Canada on July 29, 2021
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A humourous satire of the power vacuum presented after Stalin's death, definitely worth a read and a watch should you have the opportunity!
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Roger Groner
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in Germany on May 25, 2018
Verified Purchase
Graphisch sehr schön gestaltet. Gute, spannende Geschichte (auch wenn man weiss, welcher Funktionär das Rennen macht). Lohnt sich, in der Bibliothek zu haben.
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louis
5.0 out of 5 stars Oh you Soviets!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 2, 2018
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Well worth it...How easily deceived an entire nation can be....but alas not just the Russians but all of us when any politician is allowed too much power without some measure of control or accountability.
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Kit
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read.
Reviewed in Singapore on March 5, 2020
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A good read. Engaging and funny to same time.
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Cologne38
4.0 out of 5 stars Tolle Story
Reviewed in Germany on March 20, 2020
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Hab mir den Comic gekauft, nachdem mir der Film so gut gefallen hat. Sehr gut gezeichnet, aber der Film war tatsächlich besser (witziger, intriganter, stärkere Dialoge, ...).
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