Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
funny
sad
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
I loved this book because it was spare and sharp and entertaining and heartbreaking all at once. This story of two unlikely comrades on an impossible quest to find a dozen eggs during the siege of Leningrad combines a coming-of-age storyline with elements of a Russian fairy tale, all steeped in the unimaginable horrors of WWII. Suitably grim as befits a WWII story, yet with moments of levity (no pun intended!), every scene had a purpose. It's this artful combination of narrative economy and compelling entertainment that impresses, even while it is difficult to comprehend the inhumanity that fuels the war machine. I also liked the framing device wherein the reader understands that this book is based upon the likely experiences of David Benioff's grandfather (or not; after all it's fiction -- hinting towards metafiction).
A good human story with enough history thrown in to make me want to read more about Leningrad...
Thanks Dard for loaning me this - I can return it now!
Thanks Dard for loaning me this - I can return it now!
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
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
If you're looking for a historical fiction that rapidly jumps from tragedy to humor, you're in the right place. The characters were witty and the plot was clever. My only complaints are that it was a bit rushed in some chapters and protagonist's constant thoughts about sex seemed a bit unnecessary. I'd recommend this as a great shorter story if you're looking for a quick read with quality dialogue, hilarious twists, and a good bit of heartbreak mixed in.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
This is an odd story, one that pulled me in and made me want to finish the book but, upon reflection, left me with nothing solid after it was over. It was well-researched and the prose was nice. The characters were flawed yet endearing. As some critics have said, I was entertained but after it was over, I didn't care what had happened. I've read other stories from the Russian perspective during World War II, and this feels very similar. And being historical fiction, it just feels superfluous. But it was entertaining.
adventurous
challenging
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I never thought I'd be using this phrase, but this is an "expertly woven" piece of historical fiction. Caught in the Nazi blockade of Leningrad in WWII, a mismatched duo sets off on a rather quirky mission. Equal parts humor and sadness. Great interplay between the two main characters. Highly recommended.