I picked up Futility expecting a stuffy period piece. What I found was a novel that felt weirdly modern, funny, and achingly relatable. It's less about the sweep of history and more about the small, stubborn lives happening in its shadow.

The Story

The story follows Andrei, a young Englishman of Russian descent, who comes back to his family in Siberia just as the Russian Revolution is brewing. He's full of ideas and romantic notions about life. His family, however, is a wonderfully odd bunch, obsessed with their own petty concerns, social standing, and hopeless business schemes. The plot isn't driven by car chases or spies. It's driven by awkward dinners, failed flirtations, and endless conversations about plans that will never happen. Andrei tries to navigate his own ambitions, his love for the enigmatic Nina, and the sheer, exhausting weight of his family's expectations, all while the old world they know is crumbling around them.

Why You Should Read It

Here's the magic of Futility: Gerhardie makes the experience of being stuck incredibly compelling. His characters aren't lazy; they're paralyzed by hope. They believe, against all evidence, that their big break is coming tomorrow. Reading it, you'll laugh at their delusions one minute and feel a pang of recognition the next. Gerhardie has this dry, observational wit that pins human folly to the page without ever being cruel. The book is a masterclass in tragicomedy. It shows how grand historical events are often just background noise to personal disappointments and tiny, daily perseverances. It’s about the gap between the lives we imagine and the lives we actually live.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for anyone who loves character-driven stories with sharp, quiet humor. If you're a fan of authors like Evelyn Waugh or early Vladimir Nabokov, you'll appreciate Gerhardie's style. It's also a great pick for readers curious about the human side of history—not the generals and treaties, but the ordinary people trying to have a normal afternoon while their empire collapses. Don't go in looking for a fast-paced thriller. Go in ready to meet a fascinating, frustrating family and to see a piece of your own procrastinating, hopeful heart reflected in their futile, beautiful struggles.