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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
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.
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*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.
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?
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
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, Abortion
Minor: Cannibalism
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
dark
slow-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i do love a modern take on classic russian lit. confusingly homoerotic and very very sad.
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No