Boris Akunin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Boris Akunin
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Akunin in 2018
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| Born | Grigory Chkhartishvili 20 May 1956 Zestaponi, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Pen name | Anatoly Brusnikin, Anna Borisova, Akunin-Chkhartishvili |
| Occupation | Writer, journalist, translator |
| Citizenship | Russia |
| Alma mater | Institute of Asian and African Countries at Moscow State University |
| Period | 1980s–present |
| Genre | detective and historical fiction |
| Notable works | Erast Fandorin series |
Grigori Chkhartishvili (born May 20, 1956) is a famous writer from Georgia and Russia who is best known by his pen name, Boris Akunin. A pen name is a fake name used by an author. He is famous for writing historical fiction, especially his popular detective stories about a character named Erast Fandorin.
Besides writing his own novels, Chkhartishvili is also an essayist and a literary translator, meaning he rewrites books from other languages into Russian. He has also used the pen names Anatoly Brusnikin and Anna Borisova. He currently lives in the United Kingdom.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Grigori Chkhartishvili was born in the town of Zestaponi, which was then part of the Soviet Union. His father was Georgian and his mother was Jewish. His family moved to Moscow in 1958 when he was two years old.
As a university student, he studied Japanese culture and language at the Institute of Asian and African Countries at Moscow State University. This expertise in Japanese culture would later influence his writing.
Career as a Writer
Before becoming a full-time writer, Chkhartishvili worked as a translator of Japanese, American, and English books. He also worked for a magazine called Foreign Literature.
In 1998, he started writing fiction under the name Boris Akunin. The name "Akunin" (悪人) is a Japanese word that can mean "villain" or "great evil man." In his books, Akunin describes an "akunin" as a powerful person who makes their own rules.
His most famous books are part of a series called The Adventures of Erast Fandorin. These are historical mystery novels set in Imperial Russia. When the first Fandorin books became popular, no one knew who Boris Akunin really was. His true identity was revealed only after the books became a success.
Under his real name, Grigory Chkhartishvili, he has also written non-fiction books and literary criticism.
Political Views and Recent Events
Boris Akunin has often expressed disagreement with the actions of the Russian government, especially since 2014. He has lived outside of Russia since that year and now resides in London.
Because of his views, Akunin has faced challenges in Russia. In December 2023, after his support for Ukraine was made public, major Russian publishers and bookstores stopped selling his books. The Russian government also opened a criminal case against him, accusing him of discrediting the army.
In January 2024, the Russian Ministry of Justice labeled him a "foreign agent." This is a term used for people or groups that the government claims receive support from other countries. Later, a Moscow court ordered his arrest while he was not in the country. In July 2025, he was sentenced to 14 years in prison. In response to these events, Akunin has advised Russians who live abroad not to return to Russia.
Famous Characters and Series
Akunin has created several memorable characters who appear in different book series.
Erast Fandorin
This is Akunin's most famous character. Erast Fandorin is a gentleman detective in 19th-century Russia. Each novel in the series is written in a different style of detective fiction, like a spy mystery or a political thriller. The series follows Fandorin from his first case as a young man to his final adventures during the Russian Civil War.
Sister Pelagia
This series is about a clever nun named Pelagia who solves crimes in a Russian province at the turn of the 20th century.
Nicholas Fandorin
Nicholas is Erast Fandorin's grandson. He is a modern-day British historian who gets involved in mysteries connected to his family's past. His stories often switch between the present day and historical events centuries ago.
Awards and Recognition
Boris Akunin has received many awards for his work.
- In 2000, he was named Russian Writer of the Year and won the "Antibooker" prize for his novel The Coronation.
- In 2003, his novel The Winter Queen was shortlisted for the Dagger Award by the British Crime Writers' Association.
- In 2009, he received an award from the Japan Foundation for helping to build cultural ties between Russia and Japan.
Movie and TV Adaptations
Several of Akunin's novels have been turned into movies and TV shows in Russia.
- The Turkish Gambit and The State Counsellor were made into major films.
- Azazel (the first Fandorin novel) was adapted for television twice.
- The novel Pelagia and the White Bulldog was made into a TV mini-series.
A Selection of His Works
Boris Akunin has written a large number of books. Here are some of the most well-known series.
The Adventures of Erast Fandorin
- The Winter Queen (1998)
- The Turkish Gambit (1998)
- Murder on the Leviathan (1998)
- The Death of Achilles (1998)
- The State Counsellor (1999)
- The Coronation (2000)
- The Diamond Chariot (2003)
- All the World's a Stage (2009)
- Not Saying Goodbye (2018)
The Adventures of Sister Pelagia
- Pelagia and the White Bulldog (2000)
- Pelagia and the Black Monk (2001)
- Pelagia and the Red Rooster (2003)
The Adventures of Nicholas Fandorin
- Altyn Tolobas (2000)
- Extracurricular Reading (2002)
- F.M. (2006)
- The Falcon and the Swallow (2009)
See also
In Spanish: Borís Akunin para niños
