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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
This book takes place in Russia during the German occupation in WW2. It was not difficult, dark or any of those things that you expect from a book that covers this topic. It was more in the background. the actual story revolves around two men who are on a quest for a dozen eggs and spend 4 days together. I found it to be very interesting, easy to read and parts very entertaining.
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars.
I was a tiny bit disappointed with this, especially after seeing all the glowing reviews. While it had all of the elements of a good book - interesting characters, fascinating setting, gripping plot, competently written (I would never say well-written) - it just fell a little flat. Being set during the siege of Stalingrad, the book covers some really harrowing themes but, despite this, I never really felt particularly engaged with the setting or the characters.
I think that this is a general problem with novels written by screenwriters; the dialogue is snappy but the descriptions of the surroundings and the use of language are perfunctory at best, so you never care very deeply about what's going on. On top of this, the ending was incredibly rushed - one minute they're in the middle of the action and within 15 pages the book ends, which was odd.
If this was made into a movie I'm sure it would be great, but as a novel it's just a little 'meh'.
I was a tiny bit disappointed with this, especially after seeing all the glowing reviews. While it had all of the elements of a good book - interesting characters, fascinating setting, gripping plot, competently written (I would never say well-written) - it just fell a little flat. Being set during the siege of Stalingrad, the book covers some really harrowing themes but, despite this, I never really felt particularly engaged with the setting or the characters.
I think that this is a general problem with novels written by screenwriters; the dialogue is snappy but the descriptions of the surroundings and the use of language are perfunctory at best, so you never care very deeply about what's going on. On top of this, the ending was incredibly rushed - one minute they're in the middle of the action and within 15 pages the book ends, which was odd.
If this was made into a movie I'm sure it would be great, but as a novel it's just a little 'meh'.
I actually learned more about WWII and what was going on in Russsia during that time.
Good book for men or women, a quick read.
Good book for men or women, a quick read.
Un gran bel libro di intrattenimento, coinvolgente, un vero pageturner, ma poca sostanza. L'autore dà al lettore ciò che si aspetta: avventure e pericoli , amicizia e amore, non manca l'ironia, un eroe bello e simpatico che sa sempre cosa fare e incanta tutti, e lo "sfigato" timido di turno che alla fine . Ovviamente non manca . Come sfondo della vicenda c'è l'assedio di Leningrado nel 1942.
Ci sono troppi cliché e scene poco credibili per essere convincente:.
È un bel libro e uno volta iniziato e difficile metterlo giù perché l'autore riesce a coinvolgere il lettore sin dalle prime pagine ed è facile affezionarsi ai due protagonisti. Interessante anche lo sfondo storico, ma alla fine sono rimasta delusa perché sembra la sceneggiatura per un perfetto blockbuster.
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che vengono sempre superatiSpoiler
diventa il vero eroe proprio durante il momento più cruciale di tutta la storia salvando la vita all'amata e all'amicoSpoiler
l'happy end ma con un imprevisto strappalacrimeCi sono troppi cliché e scene poco credibili per essere convincente:
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i due ragazzi si salvano sempre, incontrano un pericolo dopo l'altro durante la loro avventura, ma nemmeno uno a missione compiuta mentre tornano verso Leningrado, lo "sfigato" che diventa eroe, l'eroe belloccio e simpatico che muore alla fine della storia e ovviamente l'incontro, dopo un paio di anni, dello sfigato con l'amata che diventerà sua moglieÈ un bel libro e uno volta iniziato e difficile metterlo giù perché l'autore riesce a coinvolgere il lettore sin dalle prime pagine ed è facile affezionarsi ai due protagonisti. Interessante anche lo sfondo storico, ma alla fine sono rimasta delusa perché sembra la sceneggiatura per un perfetto blockbuster.
Well written, but I'm just so tired of female characters being treated this way without even a comment.
4.5 - This was a near perfect book for me, but due to the cruelty and violence of war, it may not be for everyone. The two main characters were beautifully written and after spending 250 pages with them I felt like I knew them. It is graphic. It is real. It is mesmerizing.
Absolutely beautiful story, even amidst all the horror of WW2 and the Siege of Leningrad.
The audiobook narrated by Ron Perlman is equally fantastic (although - minor quibble - he doesn't use particularly different voices for the characters, and in a couple of places it is a little hard to figure out who's talking), and highly recommended.
The audiobook narrated by Ron Perlman is equally fantastic (although - minor quibble - he doesn't use particularly different voices for the characters, and in a couple of places it is a little hard to figure out who's talking), and highly recommended.
more aggressive perspective on our current hard times and the lives others have lived...
I have really gotten into the historical fiction stories based around wars that are chapters in a history book to me, helps keep things real.
I have really gotten into the historical fiction stories based around wars that are chapters in a history book to me, helps keep things real.