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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
Abbandonato barbaramente a metà. Non sopporto nessuno dei personaggi, soprattutto non sopporto Sašenka. Non riesco proprio a continuare.
I was really looking forward to this book. As many of you who read my reviews know, if a book doesn't totally grab me by page 100, I'm done. Right around page 100, I seriously considered not reading any more of this book, and almost put it down for good. I'm SO glad I didn't stop!!! The first third is about the beginnings of the Bolshevik revolution, and didn't capture my interest much. But the last two thirds are so much better, and show how Sashenka's life turned out under the regime, including the shocking end. Then the last third is a modern day researcher trying to figure out what happened to her and her family. Really, a must read!
Mooie historische roman en familie-epos dat zich afspeelt tegen de achtergrond van een historische eeuw voor Rusland. Toch werd ik nooit helemaal geraakt door de personages...
This was a pretty good read. I prefer the author's non-fiction works much better (I've been through his excellent Romanovs twice) as I have some qualms with his writing (like uh, his attempts at writing believable female characters.) But the unique structure of the novel, numerous lit references, and the to-be-expected impeccable level of historical detail kept me reading.
I devoured the last half of this book. From beginning to end it was a tragic story. From Sashenka's mother, to the irony of Soviet parties at dachas, to Sashenka's fate. Overall, I'd recommend to historical fiction lovers and Russian history lovers
The first section was good, and interesting, but the second section was so freaking idyllic that waiting for the other shoe to drop got super boring.
A very good novel. I prefer the author's non-fiction works, but this book was well-written and enjoyable.
Just finished Sashenka. Wow... Dialectical Materialism feels extremely spiritual here AND seems to accurately describe the hegemony and cultural superstructure a Bolshevik society- especially considering the multifaceted desires of the people in it... Everything happens for a reason based on history.
Sashenka, herself, is definitely told through the male gaze, though I do distinctly remember making sure tgis work was written by a cis man from time to time... But it does read like torture porn: emotional AND physical. Otherwise, this book surprised me with what felt like teen drama, then became well-written espionage and romanticism in Red, and ended in mystery a la "A Dark Adapted Eye".
This is a gem to be found by Leftists, as is the life of Sashenka is to the archivist of what felt to be "the second half" of this novel. But it is also a gem I hope brings about change on the Left-- change that glorifies the existence of non-men: first by questioning the moralistic disdain of women's sexuality that the Bolsheviks once had, from disparaging Russian free love movements to deeming sex workers non-proletariat...
Sashenka, herself, is definitely told through the male gaze, though I do distinctly remember making sure tgis work was written by a cis man from time to time... But it does read like torture porn: emotional AND physical. Otherwise, this book surprised me with what felt like teen drama, then became well-written espionage and romanticism in Red, and ended in mystery a la "A Dark Adapted Eye".
This is a gem to be found by Leftists, as is the life of Sashenka is to the archivist of what felt to be "the second half" of this novel. But it is also a gem I hope brings about change on the Left-- change that glorifies the existence of non-men: first by questioning the moralistic disdain of women's sexuality that the Bolsheviks once had, from disparaging Russian free love movements to deeming sex workers non-proletariat...
The historical aspects were really interesting and enlightening, but the storytelling felt clunky, especially in the third part. Still, a decent read.
I really enjoyed reading Sashenka's story through a period of great turmoil in Russia, and Montefoire's historical knowledge shines through. While I don't understand 1 action of the character (I don't want to spoil anything so will leave it at that!) I really enjoyed this read and will be moving onto the others.