eweidl's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
chava81's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
sherylcat's review against another edition
4.0
I actually enjoyed the author talk about the book more than the book, but I did like it. Her life just seemed pretty unhappy. Given that it was historical "fiction", I did find myself wondering which parts were history and which parts were fiction.
ziyuelan's review against another edition
3.0
I really had thought at first that this was a memoir or like the recollection of a real person’s life, but halfway through I started questioning why the kid in the book was a daughter and not a son and got really confused. I kinda just followed along as the story unfolded and finally realized it was a fictional recollection. Nonetheless this was an interesting read.
susanlbussey's review against another edition
3.0
In the late 1960's, the daughter of Stalin defected to the US. The father of this book's author was the lawyer who accompanied her on her flight to the US, and remained her friend until her death many years later.
I had no idea that this occurred until I read this book.
This is a work of fiction, evidently no affair took place, but the author used Svetlana's letters as the basis for the facts contained in the book.
I had no idea that this occurred until I read this book.
This is a work of fiction, evidently no affair took place, but the author used Svetlana's letters as the basis for the facts contained in the book.
shanwill210's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
rcollins1701's review against another edition
3.0
This had the feel of a behind the scenes documentary: it adds a lot for those already familiar with the history of Svetlana’s defection, but struggles to stand as its own.
vnesting's review against another edition
3.0
Fascinating and beautifully written fictionalized life of Stalen’s daughter, Svetlana, after her defection to the US in 1967. Her mercurial and obsessive nature as well as her lifelong search for home and community come through clearly in her journal entries, although readers might occasionally wish for a bit more perspective on her motivations. Still, this is an illuminating portrait of a troubled woman trying to find her way out from under her infamous father’s shadow.
anneaustex's review
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0