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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-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:
N/A
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
mysterious
medium-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
Library book
This was superb historical fiction - woven into the story instead of just narrated like a character is lecturing me.
I liked the ending but now I want Iris’s story
This was superb historical fiction - woven into the story instead of just narrated like a character is lecturing me.
I liked the ending but now I want Iris’s story
Wow, I loved this book! It was one of the best historical fiction books I have read in a while. I listened to the audiobook and I was immediately intrigued by Iris and Ruth and their stories. I was often listening with bated breath as their stories went back and forth and through time.
I was provided an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was provided an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-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
Romantic Drama with Not Much Espionage
Review of the HarperAudio audiobook edition, released simultaneously with the William Morrow hardcover (June 1, 2021)
This is more family and romantic drama than it is about espionage. Sure there are spies and counterspies, but it is mostly about their family relationships than espionage tradecraft and any specific mission. There is a large cameo appearance by real-life traitor Guy Burgess and in the author's Afterword, you read that the book was inspired by the true story of Kim Philby, Burgess and the rest of the Cambridge Five. The book doesn't get very dramatic until the 11th hour, but then the ending is very simplified and rather unbelievable.
Although Our Woman in Moscow is not tagged as being part of the Schuyler family saga, it turns out that the McAllister sisters are actually from a branch of that family and that the Aunt Vivian who makes cameo appearances here had a larger role in the previous books.
Schuyler Family Tree, including Ruth and Iris McAllister in the McAllister branch to the bottom left. Image sourced from the author's website at Frequently Asked Questions.
MAJOR SPOILER
I listened to Our Woman in Moscow from the Audible Daily Deal from November 21, 2021.
Trivia and Link
There is a Reading Group Kit for Our Woman in Moscow at the author's website here (Opens as a pdf file).
Review of the HarperAudio audiobook edition, released simultaneously with the William Morrow hardcover (June 1, 2021)
This is more family and romantic drama than it is about espionage. Sure there are spies and counterspies, but it is mostly about their family relationships than espionage tradecraft and any specific mission. There is a large cameo appearance by real-life traitor Guy Burgess and in the author's Afterword, you read that the book was inspired by the true story of Kim Philby, Burgess and the rest of the Cambridge Five. The book doesn't get very dramatic until the 11th hour, but then the ending is very simplified and rather unbelievable.
Although Our Woman in Moscow is not tagged as being part of the Schuyler family saga, it turns out that the McAllister sisters are actually from a branch of that family and that the Aunt Vivian who makes cameo appearances here had a larger role in the previous books.
Schuyler Family Tree, including Ruth and Iris McAllister in the McAllister branch to the bottom left. Image sourced from the author's website at Frequently Asked Questions.
MAJOR SPOILER
Spoiler
When the title itself is a spoiler, you don't know how to react. I kept thinking that they (I'm including the author, editor, publisher here collectively) wouldn't be that open about it, so there must be a twist that I don't see that is coming. I guess they couldn't resist making a nod to Graham Greene's [b:Our Man in Havana|133394|Our Man in Havana|Graham Greene|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327926887l/133394._SY75_.jpg|1912267], or they thought that not that many people would get the reference.I listened to Our Woman in Moscow from the Audible Daily Deal from November 21, 2021.
Trivia and Link
There is a Reading Group Kit for Our Woman in Moscow at the author's website here (Opens as a pdf file).
Beatriz Williams has been to our library several times, and I have always enjoyed hearing her speak. I always leave planning on reading the book she has discussed, but for some reason or another, that has never happened. I’m glad that I have finally read one of her books. The book had a compelling storyline complete with estranged sister relations, romance, espionage and intrigue, and strong familial bonds. The characters are well developed and believable. Even though the story shifts between points of view between the two sisters and shifting time periods, it is easy to follow. It is obvious that Williams did a good deal of research to write this historical fiction, but the book is not overloaded with information just to display the research. Although this was a work of historical fiction, it also was a page turning espionage thriller. I found myself on the edge of my seat toward the end of the book anxious about the outcome. I definitely recommend this book, and I will be going back and reading her previous books. Since I listened to the audiobook version, which was extremely well-narrated, I would encourage you to listen to the audiobook version.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy to listen to in exchange for a review.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy to listen to in exchange for a review.