The fourth novel will be published posthumously: writer and journalist Oleg Polyakov has passed away.

Ukrainian writer, prose author, critic, and journalist Oleg Polyakov, one of the founders of chimerical prose, unexpectedly passed away before the release of his fourth novel. His book "Five Views on Spring Fire" is set to be published in February by the Old Lion Publishing House, which has promised to release the novel posthumously. The news of the author's death was reported by the publishing house on February 3.

"His death is an indescribable loss for his family, friends, and all who valued his work," the statement reads.

Family members informed the publishing house that the prose writer died after a severe, rapidly progressing incurable illness.

The publishing house shared details about the writer's biography. He was originally from Pavlohrad in the Dnipropetrovsk region, but frequently traveled across Ukraine and lived in many cities. In particular, he lived and worked in Lviv, Lutsk, Irpin, and Kyiv.

During his lifetime, Oleg Polyakov achieved quite a bit: he worked as a journalist for Lviv television, served as an editor for several specialized publications, and was involved with the creative association "School of Free Arts," where he created musical, film, and television projects.

Over time, he began to write works—his first prose appeared in the magazine "Country of Dreams." He also published critical articles that were featured in "Courier Kryvbas." Following this, his first novel "Slaves and Friends of Mrs. Vekla" was released, which one well-known critic described as "the best literary debut in recent years."

Shortly thereafter, Oleg Polyakov released subsequent works, leading to comparisons with Franz Kafka and James Joyce. The publishing house notes that his writing style belongs to the new whimsical prose or magical realism.

The author's fourth novel, titled "Five Views on Spring Fire," is scheduled for release by the Old Lion Publishing House, which has announced the writer's death. Its publication is planned for February of this year. The book will be printed posthumously, assuring the publishing house, and it will become "an important part of his creative legacy."