She had always been criticized for her flat and unbelievable characters.

I used to think this was true, and I still do to some extent for her protagonists.

What had blown me away this year is how spot on her villains were. This makes sense because she grew up in the USSR, which was decades ahead of where we are now in going down this road.

I just couldn't believe that the combination of evil and stupid she portrayed could exist. I had to see it myself.