I received the audio book for this, and since I have played both of the video games based on it, figured I'd give it a try. My first ever audio book, and it wasn't a bad experience.
The fact that the book was excellent probably helped.
The story follows Artyom, a Russian survivor of World War 3. He, and the other survivors, live in the Metro under Moscow. Each station is now a "city", and there are different political ideologies that dominate the landscape. The Reds, The Fourth Reich, Honza, the normal folk, and some others that I don't want to spoil.
Artyom is living as normal a life as possible when attacks start occurring on his station by a new life form. A stalker (bad asses) arrives and before heading down the tunnel to investigate where they're coming from sends Artyom to Polis if he doesn't return. He doesn't, and Artyom heads out to travel all the way across the Metro.
The way life has evolved in this world, and how it's described is mesmerizing. My only complaint would be that some things happened a bit too quickly after the war.
I really want to talk about this book, and could go on for a long time doing so, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone interested, and if you're reading this still, I hope you are...
An English version of the book is out, and I actually think you can get a digital copy with Metro: Last Light. Apparently, there's also a film on the way, and something like 65 other works by various authors based in this reality. This might be the Russian Star Wars.
I highly recommend it.
Oh, and Metro 2034 was recently released (in English) and is getting good reviews, so if you like the first one, there will be more story to follow.
Edited By Leisher on 1393566939