A Roadside Picnic

A Roadside Picnic is a science fiction novel by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky that explores an area called the Zone, where extraterrestrial visitors briefly stopped, leaving behind mysterious and dangerous artifacts. The story follows "stalkers," individuals who secretly venture into the Zone to retrieve these artifacts for profit, despite the risks. The novel delves into themes of human curiosity, the unknown, and the ethical dilemmas of exploiting extraterrestrial relics. Its title metaphorically compares the Zone to a roadside picnic spot—an unexpected, alien litter that offers both wonder and peril for those who discover it.