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linneakarchibald's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 STARS
Loosely based on Aton Chekov's THE CHERRY ORCHARD, the story follows Anya and Milka as they grow up in 1980s Moscow and at Anya's family's dacha (country house) just outside the city. The early chapters are filled with childish joy on the girls' part but tinged with the reality of living in Soviet Russia as Anya's parents discuss their history and living situation. When the girls reach high school, the USSR is on the verge of collapse. Joined by two classmates, Trifonov and Lopatin, the friends grapple with the changing political environment in which they live and their own coming of age. When a sudden tragedy strikes and reveals long-held secrets, the foursome fractures.
Part two of the book jumps forward in time and we find Anya living with her husband in America. When her parents tell her that a company headed by Lopatin is trying to force them into selling the dacha and cutting down its orchard, Anya returns home and confronts the past she buried there.
This book is beautifully written, heartbreakingly sad, and also somehow hopeful. If you enjoy coming-of-age stories filled with complicated relationships, I highly recommend it.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ebook version of this book for review!
Loosely based on Aton Chekov's THE CHERRY ORCHARD, the story follows Anya and Milka as they grow up in 1980s Moscow and at Anya's family's dacha (country house) just outside the city. The early chapters are filled with childish joy on the girls' part but tinged with the reality of living in Soviet Russia as Anya's parents discuss their history and living situation. When the girls reach high school, the USSR is on the verge of collapse. Joined by two classmates, Trifonov and Lopatin, the friends grapple with the changing political environment in which they live and their own coming of age. When a sudden tragedy strikes and reveals long-held secrets, the foursome fractures.
Part two of the book jumps forward in time and we find Anya living with her husband in America. When her parents tell her that a company headed by Lopatin is trying to force them into selling the dacha and cutting down its orchard, Anya returns home and confronts the past she buried there.
This book is beautifully written, heartbreakingly sad, and also somehow hopeful. If you enjoy coming-of-age stories filled with complicated relationships, I highly recommend it.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ebook version of this book for review!
mforbes79's review against another edition
3.0
This book is stuck somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. It started to really pick up about halfway through. If it would’ve kept my attention like that from the beginning, I would’ve given it 4 stars. This is the first book based in Russia that I’ve read. I might look into others to further my knowledge.
artistic_monkey's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
livjolee's review against another edition
3.0
*ARC received by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review* At the heart of this book is friendship, told through the lens of beautiful writing that is rich in detail. It is due to the writing that is so beautifully done readers are put in the place of these characters. One of the most important parts of this book is subject matter that is perfect given what the world is facing right now. Access to proper healthcare is crucial. With that being said the writing style while beautifully done at times caused the plot to drag. Despite interesting characters and relationships that I cared about I found myself bored at times which eventually lead to some disinterest. However, I recommend the novel for those who enjoy slower paced, and detailed stories.
moirastone's review against another edition
3.0
To be a theater person reading a novel riffing on Chekhov is to be beset by ghosts. Every production of The Cherry Orchard I have ever seen was in the room with me as I read this (beautiful) book, and it is a measure of its power that I gradually came to see Milka and Anya, Trifonov and Lopatin, Anya's parents, and even her dear grandmother as singular characters.
I picked this novel up out of a desire to remind myself that the russian people are not their government. I got - also and instead- a reminder that people are people. And how wondrous is that?
I picked this novel up out of a desire to remind myself that the russian people are not their government. I got - also and instead- a reminder that people are people. And how wondrous is that?
carolineeedmondson's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The perfect balance of immersing you in a complete world and ripping your heart out with tragic characters. The granular details of each relationship are as fully developed as the big-picture descriptions of the political landscape. It's really Anya and Milka's story, and it has staying power. I love getting to see both the world-shaking events of Anya's youth and how she processes it later in life - you have to have the last part of the book to put the first part in perspective.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, and Abortion
Minor: Cannibalism
marinaraydun's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0