Laurus

By: Lisa C. Hayden - translator, Eugene Vodolazkin

Narrated by: James Anderson Foster

It is the late 15th century and a village healer in Russia called Laurus is powerless to help his beloved as she dies in childbirth, unwed and without having received communion. Devastated and desperate, he sets out on a journey in search of redemption. But this is no ordinary journey: it is one that spans ages and countries, and which brings him face-to-face with a host of unforgettable, eccentric characters and legendary creatures from the strangest medieval bestiaries.

Laurus's travels take him from the Middle Ages to the Plague of 1771, where as a holy fool he displays miraculous healing powers, to the political upheavals of the late 20th century. At each transformative stage of his journey, he becomes more revered by the church and the people, until he decides, one day, to return to his home village to lead the life of a monastic hermit - not realizing that it is here that he will face his most difficult trial yet.

Laurus is a remarkably rich novel about the eternal themes of love, loss, self-sacrifice, and faith, from one of Russia's most exciting and critically acclaimed novelists.

©2015 Eugene Vodolazkin; translation copyright 2015 by Lisa C. Hayden (P)2017 Tantor

Remarkable

I’ve now read and listened to this novel three times in almost as many years and it is truly a remarkable achievement. A profound work of spiritual beauty, and something of a miracle for its insight into the Russian and Orthodox world.

A heart stretching worldview!

This book was my best listen in 2024 - so good I relistened as I started 2025. Vodolazkin has a fantastic way of looking at and thinking about the world and I think this book is his very best. Engaging, heart wrenching, and thought provoking. I don’t recommend listening in late pregnancy though! The beginning is hard.

contemporary but medieval Karamazov

Well, if you appreciate classic Russian novels with Christian themes, this one's for you. the theology is not exactly Orthodox; but it is quite thoughtful. There are many "Easter eggs" to detect (or not), and implications related to relativity and the nature of time. Plastic bottles and guilt in the 15th century leading to a life of renunciation and blessing in a thoroughly enchanted world.

A book to read to strengthen your faith

I barely know about this book until a priest told me to read it. So glad I did. It’s long but his journey from birth to his death was hard exciting and had me from start to finish.

Wonderful

This book paints a very vivid picture of middle age life in Russia. While it is fiction I think the author has created an accurate portrait of the simple beliefs of Russian Orthodox peasants and the Fools for Christ and Elders of the Middle Ages. I am sure I will listen to this again and again.

Touching and Layered

Vodolazkin broke norms consistently throughout, but it all fit together beautifully. I will re-read this story and I’m certain I’ll pick out more details each time. Compelling all the way though with a rich ending that healed the wounds that were opened, just as Laurus would have done.

James Anderson Foster brought this book to life!

Not only is this a supremely well written novel, but James Anderson Foster makes each and every character have his or her own personality that fits with the story. Bravo!

Moving story

A beautiful tale of a good man in the middle age. Conveys what faith felt like. Well translated and read.

Just wonderful

What a beautiful and inspiring story, laced with plenty of wisdom. I also enjoyed the style of the writing, so well done to the translator. The narration was superb. What a treasure.

A Soul-Wrenching Journey

A truly remarkable and human story of a man seeking a repentant life. A journey filled with death, sorrow, miracles, holy fools, asceticism, mystery and love. This is a tale worth living in our own lives.