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loyaultemelie 's review for:
The Last Russian Doll
by Kristen Loesch
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
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:
No
This is one of those books that I didn't necessarily like, but that had an undeniable emotional impact on me. I wouldn't necessarily say I enjoyed reading this book. But I wouldn't say that the book is bad.
This is frankly due to personal reasons. This book hits a little too close to home one too many times, and is also about a topic and a series of themes that are nearer and dearer to my heart than maybe anything else. Grappling with Russian history, especially now in an era where Russia is committing unspeakable atrocities on others countries - which, to be clear, is not new - is, unpleasant. And so reading a book which teases this out is... also unpleasant.
But I would be writing a poor review if I said that you shouldn't read this book. Besides being very readable with a very engaging plot, I do think it's the sort of book that people who don't know much about Russian history should read. Not to say that the book about the Russian Revolution and the Fall of the Soviet Union is topical, but, yeah, yeah it kind of is. Besides being topical in a more current events/historical way, it's also a really lovely meditation on belonging, on family, on legacy. I have to admit, I kind of adore stories that follow families through generations (my beloved Pachinko is a great example) and this book is no different. This balanced out the fact that Tonya and Valentin's continual missed connections made me want to tear my hair out - again, this book definitely had an emotional impact.
I can't really bring myself to give this more than a 3.5, but I think this is the sort of book that you have to wait and see on before you make a proper decision. Maybe I just don't want to admit how much I love it.
The ending also made me cry in public so, do with that what you will.
This is frankly due to personal reasons. This book hits a little too close to home one too many times, and is also about a topic and a series of themes that are nearer and dearer to my heart than maybe anything else. Grappling with Russian history, especially now in an era where Russia is committing unspeakable atrocities on others countries - which, to be clear, is not new - is, unpleasant. And so reading a book which teases this out is... also unpleasant.
But I would be writing a poor review if I said that you shouldn't read this book. Besides being very readable with a very engaging plot, I do think it's the sort of book that people who don't know much about Russian history should read. Not to say that the book about the Russian Revolution and the Fall of the Soviet Union is topical, but, yeah, yeah it kind of is. Besides being topical in a more current events/historical way, it's also a really lovely meditation on belonging, on family, on legacy. I have to admit, I kind of adore stories that follow families through generations (my beloved Pachinko is a great example) and this book is no different. This balanced out the fact that Tonya and Valentin's continual missed connections made me want to tear my hair out - again, this book definitely had an emotional impact.
I can't really bring myself to give this more than a 3.5, but I think this is the sort of book that you have to wait and see on before you make a proper decision. Maybe I just don't want to admit how much I love it.
The ending also made me cry in public so, do with that what you will.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Murder
Minor: Miscarriage, Cannibalism