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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
dark
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
No
My husband said it was one of the best books he's read. I resisted. Then I read it (interrupted by reading ebooks late while camping) and couldn't stop. When I finished, I reread the first chapter. It's perfect.
I suck at positive reviews:
I enjoyed the book. It was funny and well written. It had chess, too!
I enjoyed the book. It was funny and well written. It had chess, too!
I don't understand how anyone would consider this a book for children. It's incredibly violent and graphic and there's a lot of sexual situations. Even as an adult there were some scenes that were incredibly difficult to read (there's a scene involving dogs that I skipped over...couldn't do it...) Don't let that deter you. It's a remarkable book about war and friendship, but by no means allow a child to read this.
novel takes place during the siege of Leningrad, 17-year-old boy, too young for the army, stays in Leningrad, gets picked up by the NKVD and can save his life by finding a dozen eggs for the commander.
A fantastic read! Upon finishing I reread the preface which, after getting to know the story and characters, made me smile and count it as one of the best books I've read this year.
The author does an amazing job of painting a picture of the desperate landscape, the feeling of hunger and balancing what at times is graphic and heartbreaking with irony and humor.
The author does an amazing job of painting a picture of the desperate landscape, the feeling of hunger and balancing what at times is graphic and heartbreaking with irony and humor.
Did I really read this book in two days? Apparently I did.
It was a good read. Two Russian criminals try to save their condemned necks by trying to find a dozen eggs for a Russian Colonel in besieged Leningrad.
It's full of Russian humor and features an unlikely friendship. It would be an amazing "Buddy Movie."
Recommended to: Oh, just read it already. I'm pretty sure you'll like it.
It was a good read. Two Russian criminals try to save their condemned necks by trying to find a dozen eggs for a Russian Colonel in besieged Leningrad.
It's full of Russian humor and features an unlikely friendship. It would be an amazing "Buddy Movie."
Recommended to: Oh, just read it already. I'm pretty sure you'll like it.
I don't typically like WWII books because they often have graphic violent scenes and there is always so much oppression. This book is the story of one week in the life of a young man. It is such a page-turner that I listened to the whole book in one day! Yes, there are some violent scenes and oppression. However, there are wonderful characters who truly make the best of a horrible situation. I found that I was reflecting on what I have, family, friends, food... and am so grateful. I also believe that this is a true story about David Benioff's grandfather. Wonderful story if it is true or not.
Intriguing premise but something I can't put my finger on kept me from connecting with the characters. Toward the end I found myself skimming descriptive paragraphs in the interest of just being done with the book. The author is talented, to be sure, but the story is unrelentingly grim and maybe I just wasn't in the right mood for it.