The Insecure Mind of Sergei Kraev

By: Eric Silberstein

Narrated by: Peter Berkrot

Math is perfect; people are not.

The year is 2100, and the chaos of the early internet era is long behind us. Mathematical proof ensures that neural implants can’t be hacked, and the Board of Reality Overseers blocks false information from spreading.

When undergraduate Sergei Kraev, who dreams of becoming a professor, is accepted into a prestigious graduate program in computer science, he is thrilled and throws himself into his assigned research project - one important enough that if he succeeds, he’ll earn the academic appointment of his choice.

But Sergei, plagued by insecurity, falls under the influence of Sunny Kim, the beautiful and charismatic leader of a K-pop cult. Sergei then makes a decision that leads him into a terrifying trap and places the lives of billions at risk.

With the clock ticking toward catastrophe, can Sergei escape and save the world?

Weaving together compelling characters and exotic locales, The Insecure Mind of Sergei Kraev is a classic tale of love, ambition, and self-interest building to a shattering finish.

“An absolutely riveting read - a can’t-put-down look at a world very much like our own, but with all our trends fast-forwarded.” (Author Drew Hansen)

“I’ve read thousands of sci-fi stories, and the thing that stands out for me here is the originality...it deserves to be read and enjoyed widely!” (Author and astronomer Bryan Gaensler)

“A history told from multiple voices, an evocative projection of the world we may invent to protect us - and the ways in which humans being human can game any system - this is a fantastic read that I couldn't put down.” (Author and technologist Cindy Alvarez)

About the author: Eric Silberstein holds a degree in computer science from Harvard and is a winner of the MIT TR35 prize.

About the narrator: Peter Berkrot is a recipient of the Audiofile Earphone Award and Voice Arts Award for Best Voice. The Insecure Mind of Sergei Kraev is his 500th audiobook.

©2021 Eric Silberstein (P)2021 Eric Silberstein

A prophetic , compelling dystopian sci fi novel

This is an important book and a great reading experience. I cared about the characters , learned some fascinating science and technology and enjoyed the fluent writing and was also alarmed by the close similarity with current events and portents for trouble.

Fast-paced, smart, and fun

Eric Silberstein has created a world that is futuristic and intriguing but also eminently plausible, and so all the more unsettling.

I was so curious to see when and how these characters from different corners of the earth would cross paths!

And I’m no mathematician, but he presents the scientific/technical ideas in a way that even us laypeople can understand and appreciate, but without “dumbing” them down.

An awesome read.

Engaging Read!

I sincerely enjoyed everything about this book. The characters were very well developed, and the pacing was smooth. There are no arsenals of weapons and people chasing people all over the globe, which was refreshing. There is an actual story, beautifully executed. Good stuff all around.

Amazing debut science fiction novel!

The author takes current issues, extrapolates them 100 years from now to create an original, creative and captivating story. Loved it!

Excellent book

I really enjoyed this book. Highly recommended. It was hard to stop listening -- and I don't usually read science fiction.

Vonnegut-esque comedic tragedy

This book is an absurdist tragedy after the fashion of Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle. The humor is dry. There are no actual jokes, but the narrative threads weave together into one big mosaic of causmic absurdity. The beginning of the novel jumps between seemingly disjointed subplots. However, patterns quickly emerge and characters become familiar. Finally, as the big picture comes into focus, the whole novel culminates in a well-delivered, dark punchline.

The character development was done perfectly for the genre. Some characters were flat while others were complex, and even endearing; all of them were flawed in ways that served a clear purpose for the plot. Very tight story craft.

I don't normally write reviews, but I enjoyed this book a lot and I want to see it succeed. I'm honored to write the first review of this gem on Audible.

Intelligent, exciting, apropos to our new reality!

A brilliant piece of art, this sci-fi creates a conceivable future world that pumps the imagination with excitement while linking deep concepts and ethics to the present. The plot was imaginative and supported by a fascinating cast of characters. Like the best stories, I did not want it to end.

Top-notch anti-utopia!

Thought provoking, well-written, very engaging! Where will the world be in 100+ years? Technology, geniuses, love, family, and even current pandemic - it's all there.

Side note: For all of us, Russians, who usually cringe when we see a Russian character in a book or a movie. Wow! Sergei could be someone you know, one of those nerd kids you went to college together. And if you like Yuri Vizbor and his songs, you are in for a treat! Vizbor songs play have a pretty important role in the book.

Should be a Netflix series.

Pretty interesting - I enjoyed listening to this on my walks. Would be great to watch this as a Netflix series.

Had me hooked from the start

This story grabbed my attention early, and it very quickly became hard to put it aside. On top of the suspense that starts building early in the story, it also gradually paints a picture of a future in which the issues that are keeping us up at night right now have played out in stunning, but frighteningly-plausible, ways. It's a rich and engaging story that really made me think.