Reviews

Stalingrad by Vasily Grossman, Robert Chandler, Elizabeth Chandler

srm's review against another edition

challenging dark sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I set out to get this finished in a year, but thanks to life, it took a couple months longer. Still, I finally managed it. And I'm more glad than not that I read it, but I can't say I loved it. I can see what Grossman is doing with the cast of thousands and showing every corner of the war as it relates to Stalingrad, but I couldn't actually enjoy it. I'm entirely willing to admit this is more a matter of it not being my cup of tea than any genuine flaw with that writing, though. I can see why others would really love this, just not me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and War

regan's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative slow-paced

4.0

menos's review against another edition

challenging dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

karinlib's review against another edition

4.0

Unfortunately, I read the bulk of this book during Putin's invasion of Ukraine, so I found myself being rather irritated.

One can certainly see the influence of War and Peace on this work (and, I assume the sequel [b:Life and Fate|88432|Life and Fate|Vasily Grossman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320447178l/88432._SY75_.jpg|2435598]). Vasily Grossman was a journalist during WWII, and even volunteered to be at the front to be an eyewitness of the unfolding events.

Although, there was a lot of Soviet propaganda in this book, I enjoyed his descriptions and reflections.

pbillo's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

tickettbror's review

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

throb_thomas's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative inspiring reflective tense

5.0

planc25's review against another edition

challenging dark informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

ukleafs's review against another edition

1.0

Written in the last days of Stalin’s rule and sadly it shows. The author was obviously terrified of upsetting “Uncle Joe” and being arrested and perhaps tortured and killed. This book is long and tedious and full of Soviet propaganda. Life and Fate written after Stalin’s death during a time the author presumably felt safer is a much much better book.

readmetwotimes's review against another edition

3.0

Russo. Mattone. Guerra. E qui finiscono le analogie con Guerra e pace.

Sono stata davvero molto, molto indecisa sulla valutazione, perché durante la lettura ho avuto momenti da "splendido!!" e momenti da "se vabbè". Siccome mi sento nelle viscere che mi piacerà di più Vita e destino, non arrotondo a 4 le 3,5* che vorrei dare.

Il libro è bello, niente da dire. L'unica cosa che manca è un/una protagonista...