Eastbound

Eastbound
AuthorMaylis de Kerangal
TranslatorJessica Moore[1]
PublisherArchipelago Books[2][3]
Publication date
2023
Publication placeFrance
Pages137
ISBN1953861504

Eastbound (originally released in 2012 as Tangente vers l'est) is a book by French author Maylis de Kerangal, published in translation in 2023 by Archipelago Books. The novel tells the story of Aliocha, a 20 year old Russian conscript who is attempting desertion from the army as he travels on a trans-Siberian train heading east. On board the train he meets Helene, a passenger in first class. Helene is a 35 year old French woman who is leaving her Russian lover. Helene does not speak Russian and the two communicate with hand gestures and other non-verbal cues. Helene assists Aliocha in evading capture from his Sergeant as he attempts to flee.

The novel was named one of the best books of 2023 by The New York Times and The New Yorker.[4][5]