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lexish00's review against another edition
2.0
On the one hand, I felt like the writing was good. I loved the nature descriptions and the historical tidbits. On the other hand, the story was so-so. And the mysticism aspect felt like an afterthought - there was very little explanation, but all of a sudden it was THE defining plot point. It seemed like the story could go in a few different directions and rather than choosing one and really fleshing it out, she did a little of each making all the stories seem... lackluster. To me. I didn't really love it. It was an easy, quick read, but not really "worth it."
lindsayaunderwood's review against another edition
3.0
Loved every historical fiction part of this book. Did not love the weird supernatural gypsy part of the book, that ended up being kind of the main focus for the last 100 pages. Overall, great story and enjoyed the characters, but it was a bit all over the place.
d52s's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this one but never got into her other book, The Russian Concubine. This was a nice read about strong women and friendship, which a lot of historical information about early Russia.
jessiejo42's review against another edition
4.0
I usually have either really good luck picking books or really bad luck. I picked this up as I left for a week long trip and finished it within the first three days. I loved the novel and would reccommed it to anyone. I am one who loves a story with history and this has history for sure.
danielle_dore's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book in one sitting, could not put it down until 2AM when I finished. The story is captivating, the characters are people we care about, and there are twists and turns you never see coming. I loved Furnivall's the Russian Concubine, but I think I love this one even more.
The tie of friendship between Sofia and Anna has faced unbelievable strife, yet that tie only grows stronger as they are apart and Sofia will do anything to find Vasily and save her best friends life. The author does an amazing job of painting the Russian landscape and climate for us, but not to the degree where it takes away from the story or characters. If you like historical fiction, don't miss this one
catladylover94's review against another edition
5.0
awesome book, loved the story and the characters and the 7th daughter, of the 7th daughter, it was such an easy read
becky_lynn's review against another edition
4.0
This book was thoroughly entertaining. At first it seemed a more serious read than I wanted at the time but then I became engrossed in the plot.
jeanettesonya's review against another edition
1.0
The Red Scarf has a delightful premise: two women meet and fall into friendship in a Russian labour camp, suffering side-by-side in true solidarity under some of the harshest conditions ever imposed by human beings on human beings. Anna and Sofia share stories back and forth to help them survive, but slowly, the hard work, the harsh winter, and the lack of food is wearing them down. Sofia realizes Anna won't survive another winter. She escapes and begins on a wild adventure to find Anna's one true love Vasily - and his mother's jewelry - in order to persuade him to help her save Anna from another winter in such harsh conditions.
And then she finds Vasily and falls in love with him herself.
The books started off wonderfully. I loved the depiction of the friendship between the two women, the sacrifice and love they shared. I loved Anna and Sofia's stories, their journey through childhood as Russia fell apart around them and the cruel reality they were living through. I even loved the story of Sofia's escape and the story of the village of Tivil. I thought things would get really interesting as she met and fell in love with Anna's Vasily.
But, it started to drag, too many words crammed into not enough story, inflating the page count but not pushing the reader though them. I had no complaint with the writing itself and, in fact, the words were strung together quite well, I thought - not masterfully, but well. There was just too much of it.
And then, everything fell apart because everything ended up too neat. I know that sounds contradictory, but in literature, it's absolutely not. There could have been so much complication and human confusion as the characters faced hard, unfair situations. Literature is not made beautiful by bad things happening and then, suddenly, conveniently unhappening. Literature is made beautiful by bad things happening and characters reacting in ways that are so perfect, or imperfect, or cruel, or sacrificial, or true.
This book will add nothing to your life. There are so many other books to read. Don't bother with this one.
(This review also appeared on This Dusty House on March 8, 2013.)
And then she finds Vasily and falls in love with him herself.
The books started off wonderfully. I loved the depiction of the friendship between the two women, the sacrifice and love they shared. I loved Anna and Sofia's stories, their journey through childhood as Russia fell apart around them and the cruel reality they were living through. I even loved the story of Sofia's escape and the story of the village of Tivil. I thought things would get really interesting as she met and fell in love with Anna's Vasily.
But, it started to drag, too many words crammed into not enough story, inflating the page count but not pushing the reader though them. I had no complaint with the writing itself and, in fact, the words were strung together quite well, I thought - not masterfully, but well. There was just too much of it.
And then, everything fell apart because everything ended up too neat. I know that sounds contradictory, but in literature, it's absolutely not. There could have been so much complication and human confusion as the characters faced hard, unfair situations. Literature is not made beautiful by bad things happening and then, suddenly, conveniently unhappening. Literature is made beautiful by bad things happening and characters reacting in ways that are so perfect, or imperfect, or cruel, or sacrificial, or true.
This book will add nothing to your life. There are so many other books to read. Don't bother with this one.
(This review also appeared on This Dusty House on March 8, 2013.)
sallyluvs2read's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very hard novel to get through. It takes place in post WWI Russia when communism was just taking off. Everything had to be shared equally regardless of how poor you were. It showed that it was very hard to be trusting of anyone including your own family. You never knew who would be watching you and would report you doings to the governemnt. However, it contains a beautiful love story between a woman and man who are trying to find their place in all that is going on. It also shows that the strength of true friendship can overcome anything that life hands you.