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katewhite77's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is an amazing book, but not for everyone.
This book is quite a commitment in both length and graphic content so won't be for everyone, but if you feel able to commit then it will give you a really good story whilst also teaching you something of the history of the USSR. In particular through the eyes of thè female line of a fictitious Georgian family.
However it really does not shy away from the brutality of life behind the iron curtain and tells a tragic tale in many particularly given the geopolitical situation we find ourselves in at the moment.
Please proceed with exstreame caution if you are struggling with your mental health. I don't know whether I would have started the journey had I been fully armed with the facts before doing so but I was too gripped to stop once I had started. A masterpiece.
This book is quite a commitment in both length and graphic content so won't be for everyone, but if you feel able to commit then it will give you a really good story whilst also teaching you something of the history of the USSR. In particular through the eyes of thè female line of a fictitious Georgian family.
However it really does not shy away from the brutality of life behind the iron curtain and tells a tragic tale in many particularly given the geopolitical situation we find ourselves in at the moment.
Please proceed with exstreame caution if you are struggling with your mental health. I don't know whether I would have started the journey had I been fully armed with the facts before doing so but I was too gripped to stop once I had started. A masterpiece.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Terminal illness, Sexual assault, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Grief, Drug use, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Colonisation, Confinement, Cultural appropriation, Violence, War, Torture, Cancer, Child death, Death, Sexual violence, Murder, Genocide, and Drug abuse
shelleyanderson4127's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A sweeping novel of women, revolution and love, connected across the generations by a cursed family recipe for chocolate. I loved the mix of history and drama in this novel.
The story begins with great grandmother Stasia, born in Tsarist Georgia. Her son Kostya battles the German invasion of Leningrad while daughter Kitty flees to the West. Stasia's beautiful sister marries a rich Party official, while grand daughter continues the family legacy of rebellion. The tumultuous history of both Georgia and Russia weave in and out of this family saga. Translated by Charlotte Collins and Ruth Martin, this prize-winner novel is a real page turner. The story will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended.
The story begins with great grandmother Stasia, born in Tsarist Georgia. Her son Kostya battles the German invasion of Leningrad while daughter Kitty flees to the West. Stasia's beautiful sister marries a rich Party official, while grand daughter continues the family legacy of rebellion. The tumultuous history of both Georgia and Russia weave in and out of this family saga. Translated by Charlotte Collins and Ruth Martin, this prize-winner novel is a real page turner. The story will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Rape, Colonisation, Drug use, Misogyny, Sexism, and Domestic abuse
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