Welcome to Litsy!

I‘m not sure why I didn‘t hear any buzz about this book but it‘s brilliant ☢️ a student book rec

An enjoyable short read. I was expecting a little more in regards to the structure of the Soviet Union‘s meteorological network and the work they did. It was less about that and more focused on the life in prison and brutality the meteorologist, Alexey Feodosievich, had to endure as a review on the horrors of the Great Terror. Paragraphs often hop in time which confused at times, but an overall good read for those interested.

I loved Valery and I loved Shenkov and I loved Albert the octopus but I was heartsick about all the people living (suffering) in this town while being lied to by their government. I wish the end had been handled differently but I still really like Pulley's storytelling so this is another pick for me.

My favorite read in November
#ReadingBracket2023

I love reading on snowy days. (And all other days as well 😉) Starting this one now.

This is a low pick for me. It‘s not that the story isn‘t impactful, being autobiographical fiction about a day in a Russian prison camp in the 40s. It‘s more so that the writing style made the story drag, even though it‘s only 140 pages. Nonetheless, I do feel that this was intentional. After all, time must be experienced differently in a prison camp like this, especially when one expects exile at best upon release. In the end, strong stuff.

I deeply enjoy Natasha Pulleys plots and this one was no exception. Though I feel like her main characters have very similar voices and the books tend to follow the same beat. The ending felt rushed, which i felt with The Kingdoms as well. Nevertheless once i return this to the library, i will also make the rrip to the bookstore to pick up my own physical copy!

I picked this up on a whim from the library and I‘m so glad I did! I thoroughly enjoyed this Cold War thriller from start to finish. The emotional inner lives of the characters were wonderfully written and I was just immersed in the story. I need to read more by Natasha Pulley!

I‘ve finished this audiobook, but I listened to it too quickly and really should revisit it again (but not right now). It‘s a long story with several perspectives, and I did not keep close enough track of everyone‘s details. Even so, it was quite a look at life inside a Soviet shurashka, a prison for academics and scientists, in 1949.

#1001books #audiobook #translated #ReadingTheWorld #ReadTheWorld #Russia