In the contemporary world of fiction, it may seem that everything has been written decades ago, and it is impossible to impress today’s reader with anything. However, there is always this one author who catches your eye.
Oksana Gesina is a promising science-fiction writer who combines a sense of contemporaneity and knows how to attract a modern reader. Her literature is a fusion of Viktor Peleven and Chuck Palanik’s view on things. Furthermore, Gesina’s language has that unique tone of voice that the reader starts to feel as if the book they are reading is an action film.
The writer’s recent piece, “Flower’s Formula”, is a dystopian novel about the influence of real life by virtual reality technology. The setting seems a bit plain, which is a trick the author uses to make you believe in it. Her characters have simple names as if they were user nicknames in an online game. You do not get that in the very beginning, but while getting through the text, one sees how Gesina unpacks the topic that was raised in the renowned Matrix movies, on which reality is physical. We can say that each character’s name begins to reflect their virtual identity, gradually revealing deeper layers of their personalities and how they navigate a world blurred between reality and simulation.
The main character, Porto, seems to be the only one who starts to understand that the failed testing of a VR game led to great consequences. Through his identity, Gesina masterfully explores the psychological toll of digital escapism, posing critical questions about identity, autonomy, and what it means to be truly alive.
“Flower’s Formula” is not just a commentary on technology—it’s a reflection on human connection, memory, and resistance. Gesina’s sharp prose and cinematic pacing make the reader question whether they are observing the story or living within it.
This unique blend of existential depth and gripping storytelling undoubtedly makes Oksana Gesina an author to watch in the evolving landscape of speculative fiction.
Author: Nata Yanchur, artist, curator, writer on contemporary art, co-founder of the CucumberMag
