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A review by sally0409
The Conductor by Sarah Quigley
4.0
Beautifully written. I loved the quiet dignity and resilience of the characters. The detailed descriptions of daily life and the way life changed so gradually at first.
I started reading this book 3 and a half weeks ago, when my own daily life was very different to now. I had read about the seige of Leningrad before, and knew about the siege throughout the harsh frozen winter and the people reduced to eating rats and boiling shoe leather. This book was on my to read list for a while and I knew I would enjoy it.
I had no idea, of course, that our own world would alter so dramatically before I finished the book. It took on a new relevance as current events unfolded, and my own city went into lockdown.
One sentence at the end of the novel stood out in particular: ''He still found it hard to believe that life could change so swiftly and completely: not only was the city shattered, but his own routine existence had been shattered apart.''
Of course, we are safe inside our homes. We have no bombs dropping on our heads, no Russian winter and we have food. Nevertheless, I felt a connection to these characters I would not otherwise have felt.
And a true admiration for their bravery.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
I started reading this book 3 and a half weeks ago, when my own daily life was very different to now. I had read about the seige of Leningrad before, and knew about the siege throughout the harsh frozen winter and the people reduced to eating rats and boiling shoe leather. This book was on my to read list for a while and I knew I would enjoy it.
I had no idea, of course, that our own world would alter so dramatically before I finished the book. It took on a new relevance as current events unfolded, and my own city went into lockdown.
One sentence at the end of the novel stood out in particular: ''He still found it hard to believe that life could change so swiftly and completely: not only was the city shattered, but his own routine existence had been shattered apart.''
Of course, we are safe inside our homes. We have no bombs dropping on our heads, no Russian winter and we have food. Nevertheless, I felt a connection to these characters I would not otherwise have felt.
And a true admiration for their bravery.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.