andrew61's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting story of Estonia in the second world war and 1960's under Communist Russian rule. The story follows two cousins Roland and Edgar who in 1941 are fighting the Russian invading troops as Estonian freedom fighters. Roland is a tough and virtuous man who is in love with Rosalie ,Edgar is a schemer who is married to Juudit in a loveless relationship. The story then alternates between the 1940's as the Germans invade and rule the country with the consequent horrors , Roland is on the run and Edgar starts to work for the Nazi regime under a new name, and the 1960's when Edgar is following the story of his cousin under the fist and conspiracies of Communist Russia. I enjoyed the portrayal of a country torn apart by repressive regimes and the characters of the two men wove an enjoyable contrast with Edgar being a very well drawn villain. Worth a read if it is a period that interests you although I did not view it as a classic as some of the endorsements on the cover suggest.
vhop's review against another edition
3.0
I actually read the dramatized version of this book, but I don't know how to change editions...
Anyway, I still don't quite understand what the big thing about Sofi Oksanen is. Her writing is nothing special. Quite boring, actually. Maybe it's just her topics that have made her so famous/popular. Important topics to write on, I admit.
Anyway, I still don't quite understand what the big thing about Sofi Oksanen is. Her writing is nothing special. Quite boring, actually. Maybe it's just her topics that have made her so famous/popular. Important topics to write on, I admit.
rachel_reece's review
4.0
All of the historical context was unstated/implied so I learned a lot about Estonia in WW2. Really well-told story!
katiecatbooks's review
4.0
Historical fiction. Estonia. Multiple perspectives.
Story: The story begins in 1941 on the battlefield in a forest. Roland is stepping over fallen soldiers in search of his cousin, Edgar. The two men leave their group to go help refugees and check on their fiancee, wife, and family back in the countryside.
Characters: This book has a lot of characters and sometimes they can be hard to keep track of. Roland is the only character written in first person, all the rest are written in third person. He is very patriotic and wants an independent Estonia. Edgar is described as weak and different from all the other guys. He would much rather be reading a spy novel than holding a gun. Juudit is a young woman and all she dreams about is a husband, pretty hair and to go out dancing. She ended up with Edgar, who shattered her dreams after showing no interest in her after they were married. Rosalie is Roland's fiance, and everyone expects the two to have a happy marriage with many children.
Language: In addition to many perspectives, the story jumps around to different times and places. This can be rather confusing and so the book requires some concentration while reading. There are a ton of details and descriptions in this book that, on the one hand are overwhelming, and on the other, make the reader stop and think or look things up to learn more. Some stories like part of Juudit's, are a bit lighter and almost fluffy, while others, like Edgar's, are very dark and twisted. This book will appeal to many, in many different ways.
I read this for a book club. I'd read Purge years before and wasn't a big fan, but I found this book more accessible and interesting. I enjoyed Edgar's thrilling story and learning more about Estonian history. Recommend.
Story: The story begins in 1941 on the battlefield in a forest. Roland is stepping over fallen soldiers in search of his cousin, Edgar. The two men leave their group to go help refugees and check on their fiancee, wife, and family back in the countryside.
Characters: This book has a lot of characters and sometimes they can be hard to keep track of. Roland is the only character written in first person, all the rest are written in third person. He is very patriotic and wants an independent Estonia. Edgar is described as weak and different from all the other guys. He would much rather be reading a spy novel than holding a gun. Juudit is a young woman and all she dreams about is a husband, pretty hair and to go out dancing. She ended up with Edgar, who shattered her dreams after showing no interest in her after they were married. Rosalie is Roland's fiance, and everyone expects the two to have a happy marriage with many children.
Language: In addition to many perspectives, the story jumps around to different times and places. This can be rather confusing and so the book requires some concentration while reading. There are a ton of details and descriptions in this book that, on the one hand are overwhelming, and on the other, make the reader stop and think or look things up to learn more. Some stories like part of Juudit's, are a bit lighter and almost fluffy, while others, like Edgar's, are very dark and twisted. This book will appeal to many, in many different ways.
I read this for a book club. I'd read Purge years before and wasn't a big fan, but I found this book more accessible and interesting. I enjoyed Edgar's thrilling story and learning more about Estonian history. Recommend.
katrinkirjat's review against another edition
2.0
Vihdoin ja viimein sain tämän luettua. Aiempien Oksasten perusteella odotin jotain laadukasta ja hyvää, mutta tarjolla olikin jotain ihan muuta. En pysynyt yhtään kirjan juonessa mukana ja kielikin pääpiirteissään vain ärsytti. Teksti oli sellaista puuroa, jonka selvittely otti aikansa. Kaiken lisäksi oliko tässä jokin muukin idea kuin se, jonka minä pongasin? Jos ei, niin miksi siitä täytyy jaaritella yli 300 sivua? Niinku IHAN OIKEASTI?
Kaksi tähteä siitä, että Viro ja muutama naishahmo olivat vallan kiinnostavia, mutta ilman niitä olisi jäänyt kyllä tähdittä.
Kaksi tähteä siitä, että Viro ja muutama naishahmo olivat vallan kiinnostavia, mutta ilman niitä olisi jäänyt kyllä tähdittä.
juniperusxx's review against another edition
1.0
Pidin Oksasen Puhdistuksesta ja Normasta todella paljon, mutta tämä oli ainakin äänikirjana kuunneltuna niin tylsä, että viitsinyt kuunnella loppuun. Autossa kuunnellessa oli suorastaan vaarana nukahtaa rattiin, sen verran puisevasti tarina lähti käyntiin :) Sodat ja historia eivät ole koskaan olleet minun juttuni, mutta olisin halunnut antaa tälle mahdollisuuden.
busdjur's review against another edition
2.0
Not at all as thrilling and engaging as the previous book in the series (Purge). It is an ok read but very different and just didn´t catch me as much..
kirjoihinkadonnut's review against another edition
1.0
Kirja oli aivan muuta, mitä takakannen perusteella odotin. Aihe oli jotenkin liian pitkästyttävä, kahden vallan alaisuudessa kamppailevasta Virosta. Rytmiin oli todella vaikea päästä kiinni ja kirja sai minut pitkästymään. Minua varoiteltiinkin kirjan haastavuudesta, muttei pitkäpiimäisyydestä. Mielenkiintoisinta oli Edgar, joka vaihteli identiteettiä kuin sukkia ja hänen ympärilleen kietoutuvat ihmissuhteet. Olisi pysytty enemmän niissä aiheissa, niin kirja olisi kiehtonut minua enemmän lukijana. Kirjassa olisi viljelty myös ihan liikaa hienoja sivistyssanoja, hävettää myöntää mutten ymmärtänyt niistä puoliakaan. Olisi kai samat asiat voitu esittää yleisemmällä kielelläkin eikä alkaa pörhistelemään sivistyssanojen kanssa.
clairewyck's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0