A review by shelleyanderson4127
The Eighth Life (for Brilka) by Nino Haratischwili
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A sweeping novel of women, revolution and love, connected across the generations by a cursed family recipe for chocolate. I loved the mix of history and drama in this novel.
The story begins with great grandmother Stasia, born in Tsarist Georgia. Her son Kostya battles the German invasion of Leningrad while daughter Kitty flees to the West. Stasia's beautiful sister marries a rich Party official, while grand daughter continues the family legacy of rebellion. The tumultuous history of both Georgia and Russia weave in and out of this family saga. Translated by Charlotte Collins and Ruth Martin, this prize-winner novel is a real page turner. The story will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended.
The story begins with great grandmother Stasia, born in Tsarist Georgia. Her son Kostya battles the German invasion of Leningrad while daughter Kitty flees to the West. Stasia's beautiful sister marries a rich Party official, while grand daughter continues the family legacy of rebellion. The tumultuous history of both Georgia and Russia weave in and out of this family saga. Translated by Charlotte Collins and Ruth Martin, this prize-winner novel is a real page turner. The story will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Rape, Colonisation, Drug use, Misogyny, Sexism, and Domestic abuse