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[Alexandr Korol]

In volume five and volume four, I talk about how the underworld appears in all mythologies, and even, by the way, in the Bible. And I’m simply trying to figure out what it is, like a scientist, like a researcher. It’s quite possible that after that, people — those who are superficial — will think: “Oh, the underworld? Oh, he’s a demon!” And everyone will start saying, “Alexandr is Satan.” Maybe that’ll happen. But that’s just how they are — they always do that. They don’t even know why they do it. But the conclusion I can give is this: I’m not the one who needs to worry about this, the readers are. You need to be the ones to think about it — because when someone starts saying something about me and pointing fingers, it’s the system testing you. Will you fall for the lie and slander and turn away from my books, from me — or not? But me? I’ll still keep writing books just like I always have. See? It hasn’t knocked me off my creative path. I’ll keep moving forward like a tank and continue to write. Of course, everyone’s reaction to my books will be different — people will try to convince each other of all sorts of things, to label me. Some will urge you to read my books. Some will say you shouldn’t — that they’re bad. Some will try to vulgarize me as a person. But books are books — what does it matter what I’m like or how I look? What I’m wearing? My age? My appearance? My nationality? What does any of that have to do with my work? Nothing. When you eat food at a restaurant, do you check whether the chef is good-looking before deciding if the food is good? Or do you judge by the taste? That’s how the world works. We always have to remember that there will always be slander, resistance, judgment, and provocation — it’s an inevitable force of nature.

Question: In the first volume, the main character of the book faces misunderstanding and distrust. It’s understandable that strangers might not trust him, but close ones and parents know that he is sane. Why does this happen, and what is it connected to: do people lack faith, or does it take a literal miracle for them to believe? Or maybe the main character himself lacks faith in everything that’s happening to him? And how can one get out of this situation? Because psychologically, it probably has a strong impact.

You see how interesting it is. The main character of “Alternative History”, by sharing his experience, ended up receiving so much resonance — or rather,