A review by elerireads
Le mage du Kremlin by Giuliano da Empoli

informative reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Not the most novel-like of novels. More that the author was using fiction as a vehicle to explain how Putin came to be where and what he is today (as da Empoli sees it at least!). For those of us who are fairly ignorant about recent Russian political history it was an interesting and engaging read - although it wasn't the most compelling plot it didn't feel clumsy or overly dense. However, I'm fairly sure more knowledgeable readers would find it a bit dull and/or frustratingly oversimplified. The only real gripe I had was with that random ranty chapter about technology stuck in at the end. Added nothing of value whatsoever, didn't fit with the rest of the book, and there was no real attempt even to disguise it as anything but a pretentious essay.