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A review by linsey1828
Lénine, 1917: Le train de la révolution (Histoire) by Catherine Merridale
2.0
I received this book as a present from my best friend, and I truly was looking forward to reading it, but something about it fell flat to me, and in the end took me about a year to get through. At first, I thought I simply needed a break from literature about the Russian Empire/ Soviet Union. I had just completed a thesis about the gulag, and just before this book sped through two books focusing on other aspects of the Russian revolution. I gave it a month, picked it up again, and still could barely make my way through a chapter.
Don't get me wrong, Merridale is an incredibly knowledgeable author and while she does provide a lot of context and insight on Lenin and his journey, the details on who is who often lead to the book dragging on at times.
I will say her last chapter was thoughtfully crafted, and my favorite of the whole book. Here Merridale shows the influence of Lenin over time from his death until today's Russia, showcasing the lasting impression he has in Soviet/ Russian history.
Don't get me wrong, Merridale is an incredibly knowledgeable author and while she does provide a lot of context and insight on Lenin and his journey, the details on who is who often lead to the book dragging on at times.
I will say her last chapter was thoughtfully crafted, and my favorite of the whole book. Here Merridale shows the influence of Lenin over time from his death until today's Russia, showcasing the lasting impression he has in Soviet/ Russian history.