Reviews

Eastbound by Maylis de Kerangal

tess4mimi's review against another edition

4.0

Beautiful prose and a gripping story. I loved the descriptions of the Russian landscape, living vicariously through this book

bbbetsyyy's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

wasupe12's review

4.0

Wonderful translation of a French novella. It is a suspenseful journey on the Trans-Siberian Railroad from Moscow to Vladivostok. A conscript (soldier) and French woman are both heading towards a new life. Helena hides Aliocha in her compartment as they both seek freedom. The writing is poetic, the descriptions of the scenery and persons is superb.

johndiconsiglio's review against another edition

3.0

Aboard a Trans-Siberian railroad, a fragile young Russian draftee is stuck in steerage with his brutal comrades & dreaming of deserting. He finds an unlikely ally in a first-class Frenchwoman who’s fleeing a past of her own. The 3rd character’s the vast Russian landscape—both spectacular & threatening—outside their window. Published in France in 2012 but just recently here, this evocative novella feels timeless. The train could as easily be carrying soldiers toward Ukraine or the German front. Warning: The $17 edition from independent publisher Archipelago Books is handsome but mini-sized. Charming—or a rip-off?

sungyena's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

samlew2's review against another edition

reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Very atmospheric book, loved how the Siberian landscape was a central part of the book. Beautifully written. 

oldpondnewfrog's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

Very quick read on a Kindle, with my not having any gauge for how long it would be, but no need for it to be longer—perfectly contained, hardly anything extraneous.

mkedmiston's review against another edition

4.0

A really lovely novella

mgreer56's review against another edition

adventurous sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

mayacydney's review

emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0