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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
Great war story, thrilling and a page turner. Both the quest for the rare items and the love story are wildly improbable, but who doesn't love it when the impossible happens to good people? (This is not a spoiler, since you know from the beginning that Lev survives.) I agree with Megan that it reads like a screenplay, in that it's all action and little description, but it didn't mar my appreciation. The author doesn't sugar coat the war, the starvation, the cruelty, the meaningless deaths, but it's the relationships between the protagonists that shines.
this book surprised me so much!
im not the biggest fan of ww2 fiction but picked this one up due to the fact that it is listed as one of the inspirations behind the last of us, and i am so glad that i did! this novel has absolutely fantastic characters (i adored kolya with my whole heart) and a delightful depiction of friendships found in unlikely places. though undeniably bleak, there was a good balance of comedy and despair, so it was never overwhelmingly dark or distractingly goofy.
this is the kind of book that makes me want to read outside of my comfort zone more often. how many other hidden gems am i missing out on? highly recommend!
im not the biggest fan of ww2 fiction but picked this one up due to the fact that it is listed as one of the inspirations behind the last of us, and i am so glad that i did! this novel has absolutely fantastic characters (i adored kolya with my whole heart) and a delightful depiction of friendships found in unlikely places. though undeniably bleak, there was a good balance of comedy and despair, so it was never overwhelmingly dark or distractingly goofy.
this is the kind of book that makes me want to read outside of my comfort zone more often. how many other hidden gems am i missing out on? highly recommend!
Funny, horrific and, at times, moving. An arresting book that never let up, blending the horrors of war and the people that carry the light of fire.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
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:
N/A
I really enjoyed listening to this book, taking you during the siege of Leningrad (now St Petersbourg) in WWII. Through two characters that make for a lovable and often funny duo, the author has us experience the adversity, absurdity, inequalities and terrible life conditions during that time, both in the city and outside of the German lines.
It took me awhile to get through this one because it graphically describes the horrors of war, and the way war inevitably changes those who experience it in ways that can never heal. That is hard to read! Otherwise, it was interesting and personal.
A different perspective on WWII. Set in Russia focusing on a deserter of the Red Army and a boy who is still to young to join the army. It felt like this story leaned into the lighter side of war, although periodically touching on the seriousness. I liked the two main characters, but wished that the overall story didn't seem so trivial. I didn't care for the intro to the story with the grandson asking the grandparents for their story on the war. It seemed contrived, especially since the story doesn't turn back to present day again (what is the actual point of that intro?).
Usually every Historical Book in WW 2 theme that i read is always sad and tragic.
But not with this one. This book is entertain me so well, which i found that the conversation between Kolya and Lev is quite amusing and funny.
The story begins with the life story of Benioff's grandfather in his teenager as a survivor of the World War 2. Take place at Leningrad (Now known as St. Petersburg).
Lev is a short and unattractive young boy that was accused as a looter so he was sent to prison. In there, He met a young, slender and handsome man named Kolya for accused as a deserter.
They felt that the death will come to them faster the day after. But they were wrong, because the Colonel give them a chance to live by seeking a dozen of eggs to make a wedding cake for his daughter's wedding party.
Look like an easy task right?
But actually, every people who live in Leningrad are lack of food and struggle to keep alive. How they could find an egg without any bird or chicken live in this difficult time.
But this is what happens during war, people will do anything to survive, from murder to stealing, to going on exhaustive food hunts.
Kolya and Lev do their best to find the egg.. With the time limit before the wedding day, they should find a dozen egg, or they will face their death.
I love the friendship between Kolya and Lev. Even at first, Lev doesn't like Kolya for his outspoken, but at last he love his bravery and his loyalty..
But not with this one. This book is entertain me so well, which i found that the conversation between Kolya and Lev is quite amusing and funny.
The story begins with the life story of Benioff's grandfather in his teenager as a survivor of the World War 2. Take place at Leningrad (Now known as St. Petersburg).
Lev is a short and unattractive young boy that was accused as a looter so he was sent to prison. In there, He met a young, slender and handsome man named Kolya for accused as a deserter.
They felt that the death will come to them faster the day after. But they were wrong, because the Colonel give them a chance to live by seeking a dozen of eggs to make a wedding cake for his daughter's wedding party.
Look like an easy task right?
But actually, every people who live in Leningrad are lack of food and struggle to keep alive. How they could find an egg without any bird or chicken live in this difficult time.
But this is what happens during war, people will do anything to survive, from murder to stealing, to going on exhaustive food hunts.
Kolya and Lev do their best to find the egg.. With the time limit before the wedding day, they should find a dozen egg, or they will face their death.
I love the friendship between Kolya and Lev. Even at first, Lev doesn't like Kolya for his outspoken, but at last he love his bravery and his loyalty..
adventurous