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guybrarian133's review against another edition
5.0
I found author Erika Fatland’s The Border to be a success on multiple levels. First and foremost of course is how well she showed the wide-spanning and complex range of Russia’s influence (and in many cases, scarring) across two continents. Considering how many time zones that Russia stretches over, I already didn’t expect its neighbors to have much similarity in regards to how their proximity has affected both their past and present.. But Fatland skillfully revealed an even greater abundance of difference than I ever would have anticipated through descriptions of visited locales, copious amounts of historical context, and numerous interviews. Even through her briefest described exchanges, it felt like she always managed to reveal volumes about a particular nation’s unique relationship with their Russian neighbor.
Also, while I have already visited many of Fatland’s itinerary stops through my past reading, I found myself exposed to an impressively sizable number of new countries. And even when journeying alongside the author to locations I’d been to previously, I was able to encounter both lots of fresh new sights and also plenty of new insight on these familiar corners of the world.
On top of all that, I still find myself soundly impressed overall by the book’s general premise. I feel like Fatland has inventively established a new travelogue model of exploring a country entirely through its numerous neighbors. And even if it’s been done already, I doubt that anyone has done so as extensively as the author did. I can quickly think of at least a half-a-dozen other nations who I’d like to see be given a similar treatment, and so I genuinely hope that others follow in Fatland’s footsteps soon.
This absorbing read is an absolute must for those like me, i.e., those who love going on eye-opening extensive travels without having to leave their favorite nook.
(Also, if you haven’t done so yet, please add Fatland’s previous work Sovietstan to your to-read list too)
Also, while I have already visited many of Fatland’s itinerary stops through my past reading, I found myself exposed to an impressively sizable number of new countries. And even when journeying alongside the author to locations I’d been to previously, I was able to encounter both lots of fresh new sights and also plenty of new insight on these familiar corners of the world.
On top of all that, I still find myself soundly impressed overall by the book’s general premise. I feel like Fatland has inventively established a new travelogue model of exploring a country entirely through its numerous neighbors. And even if it’s been done already, I doubt that anyone has done so as extensively as the author did. I can quickly think of at least a half-a-dozen other nations who I’d like to see be given a similar treatment, and so I genuinely hope that others follow in Fatland’s footsteps soon.
This absorbing read is an absolute must for those like me, i.e., those who love going on eye-opening extensive travels without having to leave their favorite nook.
(Also, if you haven’t done so yet, please add Fatland’s previous work Sovietstan to your to-read list too)
maud's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
sareidle's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
Traveling the border of Russia was quite the feat, and I felt like I was on this journey with Erika. When I told my friends and family about what I was reading, I would often say: "We're in [insert country] today," to describe my progress in the book. I learned a lot about Russia's influence and history through the changing borders and conversations with locals. Historical anecdotes could be dense at times, and I was thankful that I took a course on Imperial Russia in college. I also recommend reading her book Sovietistan first as she references those experiences in this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Xenophobia, Trafficking, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Racism and Antisemitism
lottie1803's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
abeanbg's review against another edition
5.0
Nearly 600 pages long and I read it in a week. Damn good book.
maude_a's review
3.0
Je pense qu’après avoir lu son autre livre « Sovietistan », mes attentes étaient trop hautes. J’ai trouvé la balance expérience personnelle - histoire géopolitique pas assez variée , ce qui rendait la lecture monotone. J’ai quand même appris bien des choses sur des pays dont je n’avais parfois jamais entendu parler.
superstine's review against another edition
3.0
3,5.
Storkosa meg + den fikk meg ut av en lesetørke, meeen noe med tempo/innhold plager meg. Hadde foretrukket mer dybde fra hvert land i stedet for hele reisen + hadde ønsket meg enda mer Personlig Historier og litt mindre historietimer. Kanskje Sovjetistan er enda mer meg?
Storkosa meg + den fikk meg ut av en lesetørke, meeen noe med tempo/innhold plager meg. Hadde foretrukket mer dybde fra hvert land i stedet for hele reisen + hadde ønsket meg enda mer Personlig Historier og litt mindre historietimer. Kanskje Sovjetistan er enda mer meg?