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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This is why books make great gifts! You get to read something really great that you may never have found on your own.
Монтефиоре иначе е написал чудесна книга за младия Сталин и очевидно силата му е в ровенето в архивите - което прави и последната част от книгата може би най-интересна. Останалото повествование, описващо живота на главната героиня е разхвърляно и леко се чуди сега исторически роман ли е, любовен ли е или трилър.
Иначе моментът, в който историчката се рови в старите архивни документи, намира ръкописни записки на Сталин, в които той си отбелязва въпроси, рисува джвъчки когато му е скучно и записва кого да екзекутира, е безценен и доста смразяващо истински.
Иначе моментът, в който историчката се рови в старите архивни документи, намира ръкописни записки на Сталин, в които той си отбелязва въпроси, рисува джвъчки когато му е скучно и записва кого да екзекутира, е безценен и доста смразяващо истински.
I can't remember how I found this book, it's been on my to-read shelf for a couple of years. It was a little long but really gripping, especially the last part of the book, which has an original way of telling the end of the story.
It's a family history that takes place in 20th century USSR/Russia. This book would have been mediocre if the characters had not been so well-drawn on top of the dramatic locations. It was hard to put down.
It's a family history that takes place in 20th century USSR/Russia. This book would have been mediocre if the characters had not been so well-drawn on top of the dramatic locations. It was hard to put down.
This would have been a five-star book for me, except the third act jumps into the near-present and becomes a sloppy mystery novel. There is a twist at the end which you can see coming a mile off and will probably make you want to scream. I also had some gripes with the characterisation of the children (they are teeth-grittingly annoying).
HOWEVER, the first two thirds of the book are detailed, tense and (mostly) brilliant. The followup novel "One Night in Winter" is technically stronger and relies less on coincidences and characters making silly mistakes, but "Sashenka" is still a page-turner.
HOWEVER, the first two thirds of the book are detailed, tense and (mostly) brilliant. The followup novel "One Night in Winter" is technically stronger and relies less on coincidences and characters making silly mistakes, but "Sashenka" is still a page-turner.
informative
slow-paced
am i DNFing this because i have 0 motivation to read it? yes
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Great research and many convincing details about the period(s) marred by a contrived story and horrible romance-novel-type cheesiness. Author's strengths are much more in the non-fiction department.