“AD Miller was shortlisted for the Booker for his Moscow-set thriller Snowdrops. His latest, Independence Square, also looks east – this time to Ukraine. The story of Simon Davey and the mysterious Olesya is utterly gripping, a novel with its finger on the pulse of geopolitics that still manages to move deeply.”
“Gripping…a searing indictment of our times…The background is revolutionary Kiev, and Miller details it beautifully…This is a book about truth and lies, about dirty money and the manipulation of politics, about a world where anything is possible…This, then, is a story not about a revolution in Eastern Europe but about the way we live now.”
“Independence Square made me think of a 21st-century Graham Greene novel, an absorbing thriller informed by emotional intelligence and a deep understanding of geopolitics. There’s more than a trace of Greene in the book’s sharply drawn minor characters, its insights into the world of diplomacy and political deal-making, and the contrary pulls of duty and desire…Miller has a sharp eye for the pathos and absurdities of post-Soviet life.”
“A double helix of espionage and regret…A tense, private tale set against the Orange Revolution but evoking the whole complicated enterprise of spycraft and nation-building…Miller conveys a rich understanding of the calculus of protest…beneath those simplistic summaries on the mainstream news, Miller spins the chaotic exuberance of the scene, the musicians playing, the tents multiplying, everyone drunk on an elixir of hope and fear — ‘a carnival held in a dragon’s maw.’ The novel’s greater tragedy extends out to the political world that Davey once thought he could help guide toward nobility and fairness…it’s still harrowing to see the way power radiates through nations and lives, raising some, crushing others.”
“A captivating study of corruption, betrayal and the abuse of power…intricately structured and thick with intrigue and suspense…Only at the end, after piecing together each segment of the story, does the reader get the full devastating picture…A vivid and highly charged tale of misplaced trust and tarnished dreams.”
“His fine new novel…lingers long after the last page.”
“Miller writes terse, memorable prose with well sketched characters,… the historic action has the tone of a spy thriller and the 2017 part is filled with tense personal drama.”
“A timely story about corruption, based around a British diplomat in Kiev caught in a lurid scandal. It’s a taut, twisty treat.”
“AD Miller recreates the heady days of the Orange Revolution in evocative detail. As Davey gradually unpicks his past, unexpected shifts in perspective add depth and tension.”
“It is an intriguing situation, and Miller develops it with verve and elegance. Whether he is capturing the churning crowds in Kiev or the sleepier rhythms of London in August, he always has interesting insights to offer.”
“Miller conjures up characters who say much more than the words they use. This is a skilled, moving and saddening account of the waste of human potential and the brutality that often comes with the acquisition and retention of colossal amounts of money.”
“The gripping narrative shifts from one capital to the other…rich in detail, especially in the evocation of Kiev. The author has a sharp eye.”
“One of the finest political thrillers you’ll read…A brilliant bit of writing that will have you thinking beyond its pages.”
“A swift-moving, engaging new novel…The scene…is etched with the skill of a naturalist painter.”
“His elegantly written novels may be best seen…as serio-comic studies à la Graham Greene of Brits blundering abroad.”
“Independence Square…feels like an authentic guide to how the world works”
“There is a real sense that the author knows what makes the world tick.”
“Miller transports readers to the Orange Revolution. Readers will find much to savor in the complex machinations Miller expertly creates.”
Advance praise
“A tremendous novel — taut, compelling, reeking of authenticity. A.D. Miller writes with exemplary precision and sophistication. Independence Square is an unsparing examination of human beings caught up and destroyed by historical forces they can barely comprehend.”
“I loved this beautiful novel. It’s a supremely timely story of deeply-rooted corruption, but also of idealism and longing for freedom. I found it very powerful and profoundly moving.”
“AD Miller has woven an intriguing, evocative tale of betrayal, revolution and heartbreak. In subtle, sinuous prose, he shows us a man haunted by a fateful mistake – and shows us how even the most noble political moments turn on dark secrets and human frailties. After his magnificent debut, Snowdrops, expectations were high for Miller: with Independence Square he delivers handsomely.”
“Spellbinding. A.D Miller demonstrates a unique ability to recreate historical events so vividly you’d swear you’d witnessed them in person. A mesmerising thriller.”