Reviews
Symphony for the City of the Dead: Dmitri Shostakovich and the Siege of Leningrad by M.T. Anderson
crystal_reading's review against another edition
5.0
Review copy: final copy from publisher
This is a unique look at the Siege of Leningrad. It follows Dmitri Shostokovich and his life up to and beyond WWII and how his music played a role in the siege. I was fascinated by the story. The story was told powerfully. It was very hard to look at the death though. The numbers are mind-numbing. There was a point where I was overwhelmed by the horror, but Anderson must have known that it would be difficult for readers to continue because right after that, he turned he focus to people who did amazing kind and loving things. He started to share stories of people who were brought together during the siege rather than torn apart.
This will be a story that stays with me.
This is a unique look at the Siege of Leningrad. It follows Dmitri Shostokovich and his life up to and beyond WWII and how his music played a role in the siege. I was fascinated by the story. The story was told powerfully. It was very hard to look at the death though. The numbers are mind-numbing. There was a point where I was overwhelmed by the horror, but Anderson must have known that it would be difficult for readers to continue because right after that, he turned he focus to people who did amazing kind and loving things. He started to share stories of people who were brought together during the siege rather than torn apart.
This will be a story that stays with me.
internationalkris's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed the early-release copy of this book that I picked up at a library conference this summer. The narrative follows Shostakovich's childhood in Tsarist-Russia, through his coming of age during the revolution, then beyond that to life under Stalin's heavy-handed rule and finally the book centers on the devastation (and resilience) shown by the citizens of Leningrad during the longest siege in military history. An absolutely captivating look into an pivotal age of the Soviet era.
lindasdarby's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a long time to read this book partially because it had to keep putting it down because it was so upsetting. I love the idea of writing about the history of Leningrad/St Petersburg and Shostakovich. It was just horrible the atrocities the people suffered due to Crazy sociopath leaders - Lenin and Stalin and then finally Hitler during the siege of Leningrad. I loved learning about Shostakovich and am anxious to listen to his symphonies - especially the seventh. This book was heartbreaking but Incredible. I highly recommend.
afutt92's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books that I've read in a while. Terrifying, fascinating, and breathtaking. Well worth the time it takes to get through it.
shoebin's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars!! a perfect combination of a shostakovich biography, russian history, and musical breakdown. heartbreaking but uplifting, this book does an excellent job at telling the story of an entire nation and time period through just the works of one man. i loved shostakovich before, but this gave me much more depth to his character and his pieces, and i now have such great respect for shostakovich and everyone who lived through stalins reign and world war 2 in the soviet union. i absolutely loved all the pictures that were included, the pace of the story, and the scope of the book. truly an incredible read.
marmoset737's review against another edition
4.0
A thoroughly researched and well put-together account of the siege of Leningrad and an exploration of the life of Shostakovich. For 12 year olds and up who are really into history - this book also is a great example to use to teach kids what "good" nonfiction looks like - both in terms of the way the book is laid out, but also in how MT Anderson presents fact versus speculation. The book is likely too dense to recommend to the "casual" or "reluctant" young adult nonfiction reader, but a great choice for emerging history buffs.
annebennett1957's review against another edition
5.0
Another superbly researched and written book by author MT Anderson. This might well be my favorite YA book of the year and it is nonfiction! It is essentially a history of the Soviet Union from Lenin through Stalin and the role that composer Shostakovich and his music played during that time period. I know it sounds boring but it was fascinating. Cue the music: Shostakovich's 7th symphony may well have been the reason the people of Leningrad could stand the 880+ day siege on their city during WWII.
I listened to the audiobook read by the author. It included tiny snippets of the composer's music. Loved it!
I listened to the audiobook read by the author. It included tiny snippets of the composer's music. Loved it!