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bhsmith's review against another edition
4.0
Truth be told, the likelihood of me picking up a book about Russian culture and politics is pretty slim. However, a perfect storm of sorts came together for Midnight in Siberia. First, I read a short but glowing review of the book (in Traveler magazine, perhaps?) as an engaging travelogue through wild, snow-covered Russia. Then, I noticed that a familiar voice - David Greene from NPR's Morning Edition - was the author. Those two reasons put the book on my "To Read" list, and I'm glad they did.
There are certainly points in this book where the history of the Russian government is piled on pretty thick, and there is a lot of discussion about Russian history and culture over the past decades. But, the book is far more charming than any of that would lead you to believe. Greene decides to step on to the Trans-Siberian railroad for a journey across the country - from one end to the other - in search of stories about Russians. Not stories about Russia, but stories about Russians. Each stop along the way, and even while aboard the train, he meets some very interesting people with remarkable backgrounds and stories to tell.
Common threads certainly weave through each story, no matter how similar or different from the last. Greene paints the people and the nation as being pretty beaten down and worn out, having to fight just to survive and very unsure of what the future holds for them. In fact, besides the train, this theme really holds the entire book together.
Greene's writing is personable and approachable. His introductions to each person in the book are usually pretty quick, but the conversations are meaningful and provide some great insight into their lives.
So, sure enough, I really enjoyed a book about Russian history and culture and politics precisely because of the two reasons this book made my "To Read" list: it was an amazing travelogue starring the people of Russia, and it was told by the truly engaging voice of David Greene.
There are certainly points in this book where the history of the Russian government is piled on pretty thick, and there is a lot of discussion about Russian history and culture over the past decades. But, the book is far more charming than any of that would lead you to believe. Greene decides to step on to the Trans-Siberian railroad for a journey across the country - from one end to the other - in search of stories about Russians. Not stories about Russia, but stories about Russians. Each stop along the way, and even while aboard the train, he meets some very interesting people with remarkable backgrounds and stories to tell.
Common threads certainly weave through each story, no matter how similar or different from the last. Greene paints the people and the nation as being pretty beaten down and worn out, having to fight just to survive and very unsure of what the future holds for them. In fact, besides the train, this theme really holds the entire book together.
Greene's writing is personable and approachable. His introductions to each person in the book are usually pretty quick, but the conversations are meaningful and provide some great insight into their lives.
So, sure enough, I really enjoyed a book about Russian history and culture and politics precisely because of the two reasons this book made my "To Read" list: it was an amazing travelogue starring the people of Russia, and it was told by the truly engaging voice of David Greene.
rlk7m's review against another edition
4.0
Truthfully, this book probably deserves 3.5 stars but I'm rounding up because:
1. David Greene is my favorite NPR host, and
2. He mentions the Penguins and Steelers numerous times
So, looking past the repetition that seemed a little rampant and separating Greene's smooth radio voice from his choppy writing voice...
I really enjoy reading travel narratives (and I have a strange obsession with rail transportation), and I love meeting a cast of characters you'd swear were made up. But everyone in the book is real and so are their struggles. This is an honest portrayal of Russia that you won't get by rewatching NBC's coverage of Sochi, and that is refreshing in and of itself.
1. David Greene is my favorite NPR host, and
2. He mentions the Penguins and Steelers numerous times
So, looking past the repetition that seemed a little rampant and separating Greene's smooth radio voice from his choppy writing voice...
I really enjoy reading travel narratives (and I have a strange obsession with rail transportation), and I love meeting a cast of characters you'd swear were made up. But everyone in the book is real and so are their struggles. This is an honest portrayal of Russia that you won't get by rewatching NBC's coverage of Sochi, and that is refreshing in and of itself.
athenany's review against another edition
3.0
This isn't a bad book, but I would have preferred it to be more of a travelogue and less of the author's political commentary. Plenty of travel authors (Bryson, Theroux) work in their political commentary without taking away from the travel aspect. It's all about balance and this one is not quite even. It does have some interesting insights though.
chelseadarling's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
milanliu's review against another edition
4.0
This book is very hit or miss: if you're looking for something profoundly insightful, it's sure to disappoint; yet, for me, the picture it painted of Russia deeply enriched my understanding of the culture of a country whose politics and people I'd studied. It does read like a morning talk show–and even made me chuckle, when I wasn't slightly irked by it. I went in with low expectations and was impressed, but this certainly won't be the case for all.
optimaggie's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to this on audio and I really enjoyed it. Years later I still think about it.
kristinasshelves's review against another edition
2.0
While there are some interesting stories about daily life in Russia and some history, the tone of the book was unpleasant. Given that the author works for NPR, I should have expected his writing to come across as pretentious. However, I was not prepared for the arrogance and constant judging of Russian culture, attitudes or way of life.
laurend's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent! Listen on cd for best experience. Author reads and can do some Russian.