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rowy148's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, War, Physical abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Alcoholism and Blood
Minor: Pregnancy
captaincocanutty's review against another edition
3.0
Grossman does a really good job of giving amazing insight on what it was like for so many ordinary Soviet citizens. The reasons I give it three stars is not because of the author himself, but the socialist realist style and all the changes the censors pressed, making the characters more one dimensional and the blatant propaganda that other reviewers have complained about can be hard to get through.
milkegg's review
4.5
It's hard to describe how good this book was; it felt like a Russian literary interpretation with a similar application as A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Seurat. An amazing kaleidoscope of perspectives across a vast country with a vast history in the middle of a vast war.
"They just don't know how to reconcile love of humanity and love for an actual person."
"Why had she stopped loving him? Was it he who had changed, or her? Had she come to understand him better, or was it that she no longer understood him?"
"Why was love so bound up with pity?"
"But then, what's so wrong about falsehood? Why, when it comes down to it, are lies worse than truth?"
"I don't understand where evil comes to an end, where it changes to good."
"Time changes, but I don't. I don't know how to change."
"They just don't know how to reconcile love of humanity and love for an actual person."
"Why had she stopped loving him? Was it he who had changed, or her? Had she come to understand him better, or was it that she no longer understood him?"
"Why was love so bound up with pity?"
"But then, what's so wrong about falsehood? Why, when it comes down to it, are lies worse than truth?"
"I don't understand where evil comes to an end, where it changes to good."
"Time changes, but I don't. I don't know how to change."
andrew_russell's review against another edition
2.0
Every so often, there is a novel that you just don't get along with. Whatever floats your boat in terms of literature, that novel will contain at best, small fragments. Conversely, whatever irks you the most, will be present in abundance. Vasily Grossman's landmark work of literature, Stalingrad, falls within this category for me.
The title is fairly self-explanatory but for those who are unaware, Grossman's novel deals with the events and effects behind one of the most decisive battles of World War Two; The Battle of Stalingrad. The Eastern Front in World War Two is an oft neglected aspect of the conflict, with writings in both fiction and non-fiction being surprisingly sparse. The reason this is surprising is because arguably, the labels of 'victor' and 'vanquished', in the complex and global conflict that was World War Two, were fought over and decided on this front. Nobody is sure of the exact number of casualties but approximately 15 million military personnel and 18-24 million civilians were killed. To anybody, those are mind-boggling statistics. In Stalingrad alone, in a battle that lasted from August 1942 until February 1943, the numbers are equally staggering; 750-870,000 dead amongst Axis forces and 479,000 dead on the Soviet side. For comparison purposes, Allied deaths in Operation Overlord (the invasion of mainland Europe, that commenced with the Normandy landings on 6th June 1944 and lasted until August 30th 1944) amounted to 37,000. Axis deaths are harder to find statistics on but total casualties are estimated at around 200,000.
Apologies for the death by statistics paragraph above but it is relevant to this work, the reason being that The Battle of Stalingrad was fought on a monumental scale. I mean, imagine trying to write a book that successfully conveys all the key events of the Normandy landings and yet at the same time, build characters with sufficiently in-depth backstory and then relate what happens to them on a 'micro' scale within the greater events that took place that day. And this is the key problem with Grossman's work. It is reasonable to concede that it matches the staggering scale of the battle that it describes, but I would be unwilling to concede that it does this in a spellbinding or compelling fashion.
There are also simply too many characters. It is unfair to criticise Grossman for the fact that these characters all have Soviet names but it is advisable to have a notepad next to you, if you want to remember who's who. But leaving that aside, the greatest issue with the book is the aforementioned scale. The story is not only expected to recreate the world of the Eastern Front, including the various political and military idiosyncrasies of the Soviet armed forces but also, it is expected that it will be able to tell the reader both what is happening on a grand strategical level, as well as conveying the day to day experiences of the ordinary footsoldier and the civilian population around about them. It is simply too much. Even if a cohesive and well written work results, again, it's simply too much. Consequently, Stalingrad consists of patchy and inconsistent pacing (which is all too often, incredibly slow and uneventful), characters that are less enticing to read about than may otherwise have been the case, and a sense of information overload (caused by Grossman's desire to strike the balance between informing the reader and creating a story that allows them to interpret it openly). When it comes to military strategy, or the movement of this division or that division, related as dry text - I turn to non-fiction. Fiction should carry something more. That's not to say that this information is valueless, merely that it should serve as nothing more than the lightest backstory in a work of fiction.
There are moments, sometimes lengthy set-pieces even, that are stunningly written. Novikov recalling the commencement of the German invasion, the start of The Battle for Stalingrad, Maryusha and several other individuals trying to cross the Volga early on in the battle. It's incredibly emotive and eloquent. I would go so far as to say that, taken as vignettes of life amidst the maelstrom of a conflict, it is probably amongst if not the best writing I've seen. But ultimately, that is what they are - 'vignettes'. The transitions between 'grand strategical' events and those taking place on the ground are seldom if ever smooth and any residual emotions felt upon reading these sort of powerful scenes are soon all but extinguished in the info-dump that follows.
Even when Grossman is not relating something connected to strategy though, a great deal of the book is exactly what I just said; an 'info-dump'. I've never been one for a belief in 'rules' when it comes to artistic endeavours, including the cliched one that instructs authors to 'show not tell' readers what is taking place. But if ever there was a shining example that demonstrates what happens when this rule is ignored, it is Stalingrad by Vasily Grossman. At times, it feels as a reader as though you are a thousand miles away from the events taking place, rather than right there in the centre of things yourself. It certainly does not make for an immersive experience.
Grossman's novel has value and forms an interesting work to study, particularly for those with plenty of time on their hands and little else in the way of reading material. More questionable to my mind, is whether it makes an interesting work to enjoy.
The title is fairly self-explanatory but for those who are unaware, Grossman's novel deals with the events and effects behind one of the most decisive battles of World War Two; The Battle of Stalingrad. The Eastern Front in World War Two is an oft neglected aspect of the conflict, with writings in both fiction and non-fiction being surprisingly sparse. The reason this is surprising is because arguably, the labels of 'victor' and 'vanquished', in the complex and global conflict that was World War Two, were fought over and decided on this front. Nobody is sure of the exact number of casualties but approximately 15 million military personnel and 18-24 million civilians were killed. To anybody, those are mind-boggling statistics. In Stalingrad alone, in a battle that lasted from August 1942 until February 1943, the numbers are equally staggering; 750-870,000 dead amongst Axis forces and 479,000 dead on the Soviet side. For comparison purposes, Allied deaths in Operation Overlord (the invasion of mainland Europe, that commenced with the Normandy landings on 6th June 1944 and lasted until August 30th 1944) amounted to 37,000. Axis deaths are harder to find statistics on but total casualties are estimated at around 200,000.
Apologies for the death by statistics paragraph above but it is relevant to this work, the reason being that The Battle of Stalingrad was fought on a monumental scale. I mean, imagine trying to write a book that successfully conveys all the key events of the Normandy landings and yet at the same time, build characters with sufficiently in-depth backstory and then relate what happens to them on a 'micro' scale within the greater events that took place that day. And this is the key problem with Grossman's work. It is reasonable to concede that it matches the staggering scale of the battle that it describes, but I would be unwilling to concede that it does this in a spellbinding or compelling fashion.
There are also simply too many characters. It is unfair to criticise Grossman for the fact that these characters all have Soviet names but it is advisable to have a notepad next to you, if you want to remember who's who. But leaving that aside, the greatest issue with the book is the aforementioned scale. The story is not only expected to recreate the world of the Eastern Front, including the various political and military idiosyncrasies of the Soviet armed forces but also, it is expected that it will be able to tell the reader both what is happening on a grand strategical level, as well as conveying the day to day experiences of the ordinary footsoldier and the civilian population around about them. It is simply too much. Even if a cohesive and well written work results, again, it's simply too much. Consequently, Stalingrad consists of patchy and inconsistent pacing (which is all too often, incredibly slow and uneventful), characters that are less enticing to read about than may otherwise have been the case, and a sense of information overload (caused by Grossman's desire to strike the balance between informing the reader and creating a story that allows them to interpret it openly). When it comes to military strategy, or the movement of this division or that division, related as dry text - I turn to non-fiction. Fiction should carry something more. That's not to say that this information is valueless, merely that it should serve as nothing more than the lightest backstory in a work of fiction.
There are moments, sometimes lengthy set-pieces even, that are stunningly written. Novikov recalling the commencement of the German invasion, the start of The Battle for Stalingrad, Maryusha and several other individuals trying to cross the Volga early on in the battle. It's incredibly emotive and eloquent. I would go so far as to say that, taken as vignettes of life amidst the maelstrom of a conflict, it is probably amongst if not the best writing I've seen. But ultimately, that is what they are - 'vignettes'. The transitions between 'grand strategical' events and those taking place on the ground are seldom if ever smooth and any residual emotions felt upon reading these sort of powerful scenes are soon all but extinguished in the info-dump that follows.
Even when Grossman is not relating something connected to strategy though, a great deal of the book is exactly what I just said; an 'info-dump'. I've never been one for a belief in 'rules' when it comes to artistic endeavours, including the cliched one that instructs authors to 'show not tell' readers what is taking place. But if ever there was a shining example that demonstrates what happens when this rule is ignored, it is Stalingrad by Vasily Grossman. At times, it feels as a reader as though you are a thousand miles away from the events taking place, rather than right there in the centre of things yourself. It certainly does not make for an immersive experience.
Grossman's novel has value and forms an interesting work to study, particularly for those with plenty of time on their hands and little else in the way of reading material. More questionable to my mind, is whether it makes an interesting work to enjoy.
thebookthiefgirl's review against another edition
4.0
✨“O tempo é um eterno inimigo dos aventureiros e é um eterno amigo da verdadeira força . Toma partido por aqueles de quem a história é aliada, está contra aqueles que não têm futuro. O tempo desmascara sempre a força ilusória, dá sempre a vitória à força verdadeira.”✨
Quase um ano depois de ler a obra magistral que é “Vida e Destino”, ler a pre-sequela “ Stalinegrado” tornou-se uma experiência deveras agradável. Concordo com a @mi_barroso quando diz que as duas metades da obra complementam-se , que não existe Stalinegrado sem Vida e Destino e vice-versa. Ainda assim, a obra que imortalizou Grossman é mais humana, e prende o leitor mais arrebatadoramente, além que Stalinegrado foi escrito numa vertente mais patriótica, enquanto Vida e Destino desmantela as diversas facetas do regime estalinista.
Quase um ano depois de ler a obra magistral que é “Vida e Destino”, ler a pre-sequela “ Stalinegrado” tornou-se uma experiência deveras agradável. Concordo com a @mi_barroso quando diz que as duas metades da obra complementam-se , que não existe Stalinegrado sem Vida e Destino e vice-versa. Ainda assim, a obra que imortalizou Grossman é mais humana, e prende o leitor mais arrebatadoramente, além que Stalinegrado foi escrito numa vertente mais patriótica, enquanto Vida e Destino desmantela as diversas facetas do regime estalinista.
binstonbirchill's review against another edition
5.0
The Germans are advancing on Stalingrad and every report from the front announces another defeat. Through the eyes of dozens of characters we follow many different civilian and military threads of the war. Grossman emphasizes the heroic efforts of the Russian people, and partially (possibly mostly) due to the politics of the time he praises the economic system. A careful reading and knowledge of both Grossman’s and WWII history will greatly benefit the reader, but I also feel like this would serve as a good introduction to WWII for the uninitiated.
As a war novel Stalingrad is absolutely fantastic and possibly the best I’ve ever read. The other standout feature of the novel is on the civilian side. You see the struggles of everyday people caught up in a war that they cannot escape. For an in depth exploration of the politics and a much increased complexity of characters see volume II, Life and Fate.
There is so much one could write about in a review of Stalingrad and Life and Fate. The scope of the work, accuracy to the historical record, the characters and their plight, the internal politics of the book in relation to the realities Grossman faced in a post war Soviet Union. Needless to say, I recommend this book as a vital contribution to wwii literature.
As a war novel Stalingrad is absolutely fantastic and possibly the best I’ve ever read. The other standout feature of the novel is on the civilian side. You see the struggles of everyday people caught up in a war that they cannot escape. For an in depth exploration of the politics and a much increased complexity of characters see volume II, Life and Fate.
There is so much one could write about in a review of Stalingrad and Life and Fate. The scope of the work, accuracy to the historical record, the characters and their plight, the internal politics of the book in relation to the realities Grossman faced in a post war Soviet Union. Needless to say, I recommend this book as a vital contribution to wwii literature.
helenajcassels's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ensaiosobreodesassossego's review against another edition
4.0
Como começar a escrever sobre a minha experiência de leitura com "Stalinegrado"? Não sei, não sei mesmo.
Se calhar, começo por afirmar que estava com algum receio em pegar neste livro. Tinha medo que fosse demasiado denso, demasiado histórico, demasiado técnico sobre a guerra. E agora que o li, sei que não podia estar mais enganada. A escrita de Grossman é tão tão bonita e o texto é super fluído.
A batalha de Stalinegrado foi o período mais decisivo da Segunda Guerra Mundial (ou Grande Guerra Pátria, como é chamada na Rússia) e o próprio escritor foi para a frente de combate e até Agosto de 1945 serviu como correspondente militar do jornal Estrela Vermelha.
Em certos momentos do texto, dá perfeitamente para perceber que Grossman escreveu a pensar na censura, escreveu moldando as palavras para "agradar" ao KGB.
Para mim, foi muito interessante a forma como Grossman mescla a ficção com reflexões sobre personagens e acontecimentos reais. O romance é pontuado com ensaios/reflexões extremamente pertinentes.
A certa altura, Grossman faz uma análise ao carácter de Hitler e o que levou a sua ascensão ao poder. Foi tão interessante para mim estar a ler um romance, algo ficcionado, e a meio do texto aparecer um ensaio, uma reflexão do próprio Grossman que me deixou a mim a reflectir.
Foi estranho estar a ler "Stalinegrado" enquanto a guerra acontece na Ucrânia. Porque aqui no livro fala-se do Donbass e de outros locais ucranianos, invadidos pela Alemanha nazi na Segunda Guerra. E todos se juntaram para defender a terra, todo o povo soviético.
São relatadas situações em abrigos em que as nacionalidades se mesclavam, russos, ucranianos, polacos, bielorrussos. Todos juntos no terror, no medo de perder a casa, a terra, a própria vida.
É estranho saber que nos dias de hoje está a acontecer exactamente a mesma coisa que está descrita em neste livro. É estranho saber que mais de meio século depois a a história se repete, mas que desta vez é a Rússia que ataca, e não a União Soviética que defende.
"Stalinegrado" foi escrito por alguém que foi participante dos acontecimentos que relata e, só por isto, este livro ganha um peso extra, vale a pena ser lido.
Se calhar, começo por afirmar que estava com algum receio em pegar neste livro. Tinha medo que fosse demasiado denso, demasiado histórico, demasiado técnico sobre a guerra. E agora que o li, sei que não podia estar mais enganada. A escrita de Grossman é tão tão bonita e o texto é super fluído.
A batalha de Stalinegrado foi o período mais decisivo da Segunda Guerra Mundial (ou Grande Guerra Pátria, como é chamada na Rússia) e o próprio escritor foi para a frente de combate e até Agosto de 1945 serviu como correspondente militar do jornal Estrela Vermelha.
Em certos momentos do texto, dá perfeitamente para perceber que Grossman escreveu a pensar na censura, escreveu moldando as palavras para "agradar" ao KGB.
Para mim, foi muito interessante a forma como Grossman mescla a ficção com reflexões sobre personagens e acontecimentos reais. O romance é pontuado com ensaios/reflexões extremamente pertinentes.
A certa altura, Grossman faz uma análise ao carácter de Hitler e o que levou a sua ascensão ao poder. Foi tão interessante para mim estar a ler um romance, algo ficcionado, e a meio do texto aparecer um ensaio, uma reflexão do próprio Grossman que me deixou a mim a reflectir.
Foi estranho estar a ler "Stalinegrado" enquanto a guerra acontece na Ucrânia. Porque aqui no livro fala-se do Donbass e de outros locais ucranianos, invadidos pela Alemanha nazi na Segunda Guerra. E todos se juntaram para defender a terra, todo o povo soviético.
São relatadas situações em abrigos em que as nacionalidades se mesclavam, russos, ucranianos, polacos, bielorrussos. Todos juntos no terror, no medo de perder a casa, a terra, a própria vida.
É estranho saber que nos dias de hoje está a acontecer exactamente a mesma coisa que está descrita em neste livro. É estranho saber que mais de meio século depois a a história se repete, mas que desta vez é a Rússia que ataca, e não a União Soviética que defende.
"Stalinegrado" foi escrito por alguém que foi participante dos acontecimentos que relata e, só por isto, este livro ganha um peso extra, vale a pena ser lido.
amelie5m's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0