About the book: 1994 / Vyacheslav Rybakov is undoubtedly one of the most talented Russian science fiction writers of the younger generation - if not at the top of this list. A guarantee of this is at least the list of literary prizes and prizes awarded to him in recent years: here is the State Prize of the RSFSR named after. Vasilyev brothers (1987), and “Golden Ball” (1990), and “Start” (1991), and “Bronze Snail” (1994), and the Interpresscon Prize (1994) ... By the way, the last two were awarded - according to a magazine publication - for the novel which gives this volume its title. And the novel “The Hearth on the Tower” took second place in the nomination list for the “Great Ring” award (1991), losing the championship to “The Republic of Crimea” by Vasily Aksenov - a comparison that in itself is quite indicative…