sally0409's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully written. I loved the quiet dignity and resilience of the characters. The detailed descriptions of daily life and the way life changed so gradually at first.
I started reading this book 3 and a half weeks ago, when my own daily life was very different to now. I had read about the seige of Leningrad before, and knew about the siege throughout the harsh frozen winter and the people reduced to eating rats and boiling shoe leather. This book was on my to read list for a while and I knew I would enjoy it.
I had no idea, of course, that our own world would alter so dramatically before I finished the book. It took on a new relevance as current events unfolded, and my own city went into lockdown.
One sentence at the end of the novel stood out in particular: ''He still found it hard to believe that life could change so swiftly and completely: not only was the city shattered, but his own routine existence had been shattered apart.''
Of course, we are safe inside our homes. We have no bombs dropping on our heads, no Russian winter and we have food. Nevertheless, I felt a connection to these characters I would not otherwise have felt.
And a true admiration for their bravery.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
I started reading this book 3 and a half weeks ago, when my own daily life was very different to now. I had read about the seige of Leningrad before, and knew about the siege throughout the harsh frozen winter and the people reduced to eating rats and boiling shoe leather. This book was on my to read list for a while and I knew I would enjoy it.
I had no idea, of course, that our own world would alter so dramatically before I finished the book. It took on a new relevance as current events unfolded, and my own city went into lockdown.
One sentence at the end of the novel stood out in particular: ''He still found it hard to believe that life could change so swiftly and completely: not only was the city shattered, but his own routine existence had been shattered apart.''
Of course, we are safe inside our homes. We have no bombs dropping on our heads, no Russian winter and we have food. Nevertheless, I felt a connection to these characters I would not otherwise have felt.
And a true admiration for their bravery.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
utopologist's review against another edition
1.0
For such a profound event in the history of the twentieth century, this book covers the actual time surrounding the rehearsal and performance of Shostakovich's 7th in perhaps a 5th of its text. What a waste to focus on twee, forgettable characters with predictable neuroses. I was gravely disappointed.
kath61's review against another edition
5.0
An original and interesting book as well as a good read. I loved all the musical allusions and the gradual build up, and really felt for the characters as well as learning further about this period of Russian history. Very well written.
andrew61's review against another edition
4.0
A really interesting read about Shostakovich's writing of his seventh symphony as the German army bombard Leningrad. There are three main characters Nikolai, a violinist, Elias the conductor of the radio orchestra, and Shostakovich himself. The author captures the tension and hardships in the city together with a great picture of the individual characters and demonstartes the drive and single mindedness of the composer. A very good example of historical fiction.
hancockeli130's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mogilvie's review against another edition
4.0
Loved it. Read it a while back and can't remember enough to write a review.
msgtdameron's review against another edition
3.0
Sara Quigley has written a good historical fiction novel about a piece of music. These are the words that may have been said by those caught in Leningrad in 1941-42. Shostakovich is writing his 7th Symphony in the fall and winter of 1941. He has not allowed himself and family to be evacuated from the city. Karl Eliasberg is the conductor of the Leningrad radio orchestra. They meet during the siege and, in this work criticize each other. Eliasberg to Shostakovich face to face and Shostakovich in Eliasberg mind. The story takes the reader into Leningrad as a civilian saw the siege. The cannibalism, food fights, the struggle to survive and the death that surrounded every one everywhere. It also shows the humor and good moments that can happen during times of stress. But the real story in this read is not in the book itself. The real story is when you Google Shostakovich's 7th and listen to it on your device. It is only then that you totally understand the story that Quigley is trying to tell. I believe this is so true that the book should be sold new with a CD of the 7th attached to it. With out the music this is a medico book, but once you hear the 7th you understand what Shostakovich and Eliasberg were trying to do during fall, winter 41 and spring 42. It is with the music that his book comes alive and the story becomes not just a fictional account of a great event in that 900 day siege but brings the reader closer to the principals who lived in that time of fire and ice. A three for the book alone but a five for the book along with the 7th symphony.
frances_ab's review against another edition
4.0
This very moving novel is set just before and during the WWII siege of Leningrad and centres on the lives of Karl Eliasberg, a second rate conductor on the periphery of the vibrant music community which revolves around the composer Dmitri Shostakovich, and on Shostakovich himself. Shostakovich is writing his 7th "Leningrad" Symphony, meant to evoke the hardships of the war and to honour the resilience of the people of Leningrad. As the siege drags on and lives are increasingly in danger, not just from the bombs dropping regularly but also from starvation and the cold of winter, Eliasberg is ordered to reassemble his orchestra for a staging of the 7th Symphony, to be broadcast to the citizens of Leningrad and to the troops at the front to boost morale. With many of his musicians dead or dying and his own health severely compromised by starvation, it is a supreme struggle to get his orchestra prepared for their premiere.
Quigley brilliantly portrays her characters, both their musicianship and focus on their art, and also their struggle to maintain their dignity and humanity in this brutal time. Having read[b:The Madonnas of Leningrad|179264|The Madonnas of Leningrad|Debra Dean|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348330330s/179264.jpg|837760] in the last couple of years this was a wonderful companion read with its equally evocative description of the Siege of Leningrad and the lengths some will go to preserve and support the art that has filled their lives. I would highly recommend this book, both to those with an interest in 20th century history and to those fascinated by the process by which music is made.
Quigley brilliantly portrays her characters, both their musicianship and focus on their art, and also their struggle to maintain their dignity and humanity in this brutal time. Having read[b:The Madonnas of Leningrad|179264|The Madonnas of Leningrad|Debra Dean|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348330330s/179264.jpg|837760] in the last couple of years this was a wonderful companion read with its equally evocative description of the Siege of Leningrad and the lengths some will go to preserve and support the art that has filled their lives. I would highly recommend this book, both to those with an interest in 20th century history and to those fascinated by the process by which music is made.
avid_d's review
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5