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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
A friend gave me this book. Said it's a favorite of his. I was disappointed when I read the forward and discovered it's a WWII book. And I was wrong to be disappointed.
This is a wonderful story, gruesome and heartbreaking. I would recommend it to any reader. It's beautiful and I'm glad he insisted I read it. I wanted to read The Courtyard Hound. I always want to read the made up books I read about in books.
This is a wonderful story, gruesome and heartbreaking. I would recommend it to any reader. It's beautiful and I'm glad he insisted I read it. I wanted to read The Courtyard Hound. I always want to read the made up books I read about in books.
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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:
No
This book makes you wonder why you're not half as patriotic as a Russian even though you have to deal with way less snow.
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
I really enjoyed this book. It was one my roommate had recommended to me months ago, and I'm glad I finally got around to reading it.
This book had a very interesting premise, although I felt that the author strayed a little too far for the length of the book. The actual task itself (getting a dozen eggs) seemed like a side plot and was often pushed to the side for other aspects of the story. I'm a big fan of Holocaust stories, and I had never read one from a Russian perspective.
The two main characters had a bad case of 17 year old boy mouth. Not that cursing or sex talk really offends me, but I thought it was a little too present in some parts of the book. No need to reinforce that guys are always horny.
I'll definitely be reading more from this author in the future.
258 pages
This book had a very interesting premise, although I felt that the author strayed a little too far for the length of the book. The actual task itself (getting a dozen eggs) seemed like a side plot and was often pushed to the side for other aspects of the story. I'm a big fan of Holocaust stories, and I had never read one from a Russian perspective.
The two main characters had a bad case of 17 year old boy mouth. Not that cursing or sex talk really offends me, but I thought it was a little too present in some parts of the book. No need to reinforce that guys are always horny.
I'll definitely be reading more from this author in the future.
258 pages
Exciting plot and character development, but I couldn't get past the way all female characters were described as little more than sexual objects.
This book starts off with a writer visiting his retired grandparents in Florida. He wants to learn more about their experience during the German siege of Leningrad. His grandfather does all the talking....
Lev (his grandfather) is a shy, 17-year-old Jewish boy, jaded by seeing everyone around him suffering. He has lost his father and his sister and mother have moved away to avoid the impending siege. One night, a paratrooper falls from the sky and into his street. Lev and his friends make it over to paratrooper and see he is dead and start looting. Lev is arrested and brought to a cell. There he meets Kolya, who is charasmatic, funny and hasn't taken a shit in over a week.
Instead of gunshots to their heads, fate intervenes. A well-fed colonel needs fresh eggs for his daughter’s wedding cake, and, if Lev and Kolya return with a dozen eggs in 3 days, their lives will be spared. If not, they will starve to death because their ration cards have been confiscated.
This is the story of their adventure. It's funny. It's sad. It's written incredibly well (by a writer on the Game of Thrones, actually).
I would give this book a 3 1/2 star rating and I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in historical fiction/funny adventures.
Lev (his grandfather) is a shy, 17-year-old Jewish boy, jaded by seeing everyone around him suffering. He has lost his father and his sister and mother have moved away to avoid the impending siege. One night, a paratrooper falls from the sky and into his street. Lev and his friends make it over to paratrooper and see he is dead and start looting. Lev is arrested and brought to a cell. There he meets Kolya, who is charasmatic, funny and hasn't taken a shit in over a week.
Instead of gunshots to their heads, fate intervenes. A well-fed colonel needs fresh eggs for his daughter’s wedding cake, and, if Lev and Kolya return with a dozen eggs in 3 days, their lives will be spared. If not, they will starve to death because their ration cards have been confiscated.
This is the story of their adventure. It's funny. It's sad. It's written incredibly well (by a writer on the Game of Thrones, actually).
I would give this book a 3 1/2 star rating and I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in historical fiction/funny adventures.
A no-nonsense historical fiction. No plots or subplots. Just simply two individuals trying to complete a mission and the story details their journey. I like the various details. details of the different personal interactions, details of the scenary and landscape. A very interesting read.
I really struggled between giving this 3 and 4 stars. I think a 3.5 about sums up my feelings, but a high 3.5. I was gripped by the story and loved the protagonist, his best friend, and their eventually-introduced expert guide who finds the protag and his friend both endearing and supremely annoying. Great dynamic! Why did we have to wait until the last 1/3rd of the book to manifest it?
There are some supremely artful dramatic scenes in this, as well as touching interpersonal scenes and genuinely funny moments. I honestly don't think that it stuck the landing. I was particularly irritated that.
Anyway, I already have recommended this book to others, so there you go. It's good enough to keep on my shelf, and to recommend. Was it perfect? No. Will I reread it? We'll see. But I'm glad to have read it.
There are some supremely artful dramatic scenes in this, as well as touching interpersonal scenes and genuinely funny moments. I honestly don't think that it stuck the landing. I was particularly irritated that
Spoiler
Lev ends up reuniting with the sniper. She honestly did not read as very interested in him except as a friend/amusement. It's too picture-perfect.Anyway, I already have recommended this book to others, so there you go. It's good enough to keep on my shelf, and to recommend. Was it perfect? No. Will I reread it? We'll see. But I'm glad to have read it.
Interesting enough and very violent but I couldn’t really get into it
I really enjoyed this one! An exhilarating adventure story with the strangest quest that exemplifies the grittiness, terror and hypocrisies of war.