Discussion of Pavlo Derevianko’s Novel “Arkan Vovkiv” at the Reading Club in March

The meeting of the BSPU (Berdyansk State Pedagogical University) Reading Club on December 5, 2026, dedicated to the discussion of Pavlo Derevianko’s novel Arkan Vovkiv (The Wolves’ Lasso), became an engaging platform for intellectual discussion and a deeper understanding of contemporary Ukrainian fantasy. The work combines elements of dark fantasy, alternative history, and Ukrainian mythological tradition, making it particularly appealing to a student audience. The novel’s preface emphasizes that the book contains mystical elements related to folk beliefs, witchcraft, and the confrontation between two worlds—the real and the otherworldly.

During the discussion, club members drew attention to the novel’s original artistic world. The author creates an alternative reality of the Ukrainian Hetmanate, where history, magic, and politics intertwine within a single narrative space. The central figure is a young man named Severyn, who undergoes a complex path of initiation and steps onto the “wolf’s path,” choosing the fate of a kharakternyk (warrior-mage) and a knight of the Grey Order. This motif of choice, ordeal, and internal struggle sparked a lively debate among the participants, as it resonates with the eternal theme of personality formation. Anastasiia Rakus-Sverhunova, a student of the 1UML ZL group, utilized AI to propose her own interpretation of the world of nature and the world of humans in the novel. Her contribution was based on a deep understanding of the work and the student’s creative abilities.

The symbolism of the wolf—a totem of strength, instinct, and freedom—aroused particular interest among readers. In the novel, the image of the wolf simultaneously embodies a person’s internal energy and the danger of losing control over one’s own nature. Reading club members noted that this symbolism integrates seamlessly with Ukrainian mythological tradition and creates an atmosphere of mystical tension. As Hanna Aleksandrova, head of the reading club, emphasized: “With great artistic skill, the author managed to depict the struggle between the human and the animal.”

The novel’s artistic features were also discussed separately: the dynamic plot, vivid dialogues, evocative character names, as well as detailed descriptions of nature and urban spaces, which often reflect the protagonist’s internal state. Because of these elements, the book is an easy read while simultaneously prompting deeper reflection.

The meeting demonstrated that contemporary Ukrainian fantasy can be more than just exciting adventure literature; it is a significant cultural phenomenon that brings to the fore questions of historical memory, personal choice, and spiritual responsibility. The discussion of Pavlo Derevianko’s novel united participants around a shared interest in literature and provided an opportunity for a vibrant dialogue on new trends in domestic writing.

The session reaffirmed once again: collective reading and the discussion of books reveal new meanings within a text, foster a culture of critical thinking, and contribute to the development of the university’s reading community.

Olha Kharlan Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Ukrainian and Foreign Literature and Comparative Literature Studies