butyougotmysoul's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book was extremely middle of the road. It would have gotten a better rating if it didn’t routinely have misogynistic descriptions of women as well as complete derision for sex work. Interesting concept, poor execution.
marciepan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ianmcnamara's review against another edition
2.0
Give up on this book about halfway through, really could not get into it, I am not going to write a longer view because I do not really have anything positive to say about the book. The only thing I did like was the setting.
daniel_mc_adam's review against another edition
4.0
Great book and a real insight into Moscow during early 21st Century.
docjh's review against another edition
4.0
A dark but fairly "true" take on Russia in the early aughts. Reads very quickly.
e_lli_e's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
detectivelilac's review
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
andrew61's review against another edition
3.0
This is a curious novel which is written in the form of a letter by a British lawyer to his new lover in which he confesses about events that occurred when he worked for a period in Moscow.
The lawyer finds himself at the centre of two very different but equally devastating con tricks however our dilemma as a reader is that the deceptions appear obvious so that we apply our own moral sensibilities to judge. This is particularly apt in the scheme in which he believes he is in love with a young woman and knowingly executes a cruel finale.
It certainly captures a city in which morality seems to have been abandoned and the innocent are easy prey well , which as the narrator often comments seems the mirror the president government and oligarchs attitudes.
Definitely an interesting read which left me with many questions at the end.
The lawyer finds himself at the centre of two very different but equally devastating con tricks however our dilemma as a reader is that the deceptions appear obvious so that we apply our own moral sensibilities to judge. This is particularly apt in the scheme in which he believes he is in love with a young woman and knowingly executes a cruel finale.
It certainly captures a city in which morality seems to have been abandoned and the innocent are easy prey well , which as the narrator often comments seems the mirror the president government and oligarchs attitudes.
Definitely an interesting read which left me with many questions at the end.
kle105's review against another edition
1.0
If it wasn't for my book challenge I wouldn't have finished this book. It had no point other than talking about Moscow. Underdeveloped and boring.