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jennifermreads's review against another edition
1.0
I cannot believe I finished this. Plot was weighed down by excessive recollections of the character's time working at a museum -- which seemed only to serve as a device for showing off the author's research skills rather than substance to the plot.
akross's review against another edition
4.0
Having lived in two Russian homes in which my host mother would insist I finish my meal, dredging up memories of the "blokad", I always like reading a good yarn about WWII and Leningrad. It's a fascinating and overlooked incident in history that warrants more stories like this one. Plenty of unanswered questions in the end (for better and worse) and not enough character development (Marina's daughter particularly could have been downsized or fleshed out). Loved the connected-disconnected timelines and the elegant prose. Dean shows a lot of promise, but also plenty of room to grow.
smdammen's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
carmenere's review against another edition
4.0
I'll give The Madonnas of Leningrad a big thumbs up for its sad yet realistic depiction of The Siege of Leningrad and one of its survivors, Marina, an elderly woman, now suffering from another type of siege, an assault on her short term memory.
Prior to the siege, Marina was a tour guide at The Hermitage. In preparation for an attack by the Germans she then assisted in the removal of the art work she had come to love and know so well, storing it in a safe haven.
Marina was once an art student, then a tour guide at the The Hermitage in Leningrad but now, long after the horrors of The Siege, when her and her husband can enjoy life as empty nesters in Seattle and enjoy celebrations with their grandchildren, Marina begins to battle dementia. She can not recall her daughter, her husband must help her dress and cook for her but she does remember Leningrad. The suffering, the cold, the lack of food, the family and friends who did not survive and she remembers the paintings. She remembers the grand staircase, the statues, the murals on the ceiling but most of all, she remembers the Madonnas and the artists who painted them and the back stories involved with each painting.
I have read a few books concerning Alzheimer's and a couple of books regarding the siege but nothing like this novel which takes an horrendous period of time and gives it back to a survivor to live over again in her waning days. Yet, the beauty of this story lies in the memories of Art and how in the most dire of days the remembrance of what is beautiful and the ability to imagine it all again seems to act as an armor from what is bad.
Well written, mesmerizing and, of course, sad yet through the acts of people like Marina we are, once again, able to enjoy the Madonnas and so much more.
Prior to the siege, Marina was a tour guide at The Hermitage. In preparation for an attack by the Germans she then assisted in the removal of the art work she had come to love and know so well, storing it in a safe haven.
Marina was once an art student, then a tour guide at the The Hermitage in Leningrad but now, long after the horrors of The Siege, when her and her husband can enjoy life as empty nesters in Seattle and enjoy celebrations with their grandchildren, Marina begins to battle dementia. She can not recall her daughter, her husband must help her dress and cook for her but she does remember Leningrad. The suffering, the cold, the lack of food, the family and friends who did not survive and she remembers the paintings. She remembers the grand staircase, the statues, the murals on the ceiling but most of all, she remembers the Madonnas and the artists who painted them and the back stories involved with each painting.
I have read a few books concerning Alzheimer's and a couple of books regarding the siege but nothing like this novel which takes an horrendous period of time and gives it back to a survivor to live over again in her waning days. Yet, the beauty of this story lies in the memories of Art and how in the most dire of days the remembrance of what is beautiful and the ability to imagine it all again seems to act as an armor from what is bad.
Well written, mesmerizing and, of course, sad yet through the acts of people like Marina we are, once again, able to enjoy the Madonnas and so much more.
mary412's review against another edition
3.0
Just finished this book and now I'm not sure I should have recommended it to book group. The premise is so sweet [the Hermitage docent giving tours of the galleries even though the paintings are stored away during WW II], but I don't consider this a great book. Perhaps they'll love it because it's short - a pleasant change from some recent picks.
The book group did like this book. The artist in the group said the descriptions of the paintings were her favorite parts. A GoodReads reviewer suggested that the reader get a list of the paintings mentioned and look at them on a computer screen while reading the book. Excellent idea!
Two of our members have parents with Alzheimer's and they liked the depictions of Marina's inner life. Marina's family sees her confusion, but she can revisit the paintings she loved and can appreciate the beautiful view from the unfinished house of the last chapter.
I recommended this book to my other book group and they loved it! In preparation for the discussion, I read it a second time and now think it is a more significant book.
The book group did like this book. The artist in the group said the descriptions of the paintings were her favorite parts. A GoodReads reviewer suggested that the reader get a list of the paintings mentioned and look at them on a computer screen while reading the book. Excellent idea!
Two of our members have parents with Alzheimer's and they liked the depictions of Marina's inner life. Marina's family sees her confusion, but she can revisit the paintings she loved and can appreciate the beautiful view from the unfinished house of the last chapter.
I recommended this book to my other book group and they loved it! In preparation for the discussion, I read it a second time and now think it is a more significant book.
ionz_12's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
menfrommarrs's review against another edition
5.0
I'l let you discover, for yourself, the horrors of war, the tragedy of Alzheimer's Disease, the disconnection of family members that are so very realistically depicted here.
but
The next time you visit an art museum, hold out for the next tour for which Marina is the docent. It is so obvious that she is passionate about each piece, that you won't have to strain over the heads of the tourists in front of you to visualize the artwork on the wall.
but
The next time you visit an art museum, hold out for the next tour for which Marina is the docent. It is so obvious that she is passionate about each piece, that you won't have to strain over the heads of the tourists in front of you to visualize the artwork on the wall.