This books wasn't really what I was expecting it to be, but it was still a worthwhile read. It is told from the point of view of a middle-aged man, Vladimir Petrovich, reflecting on his life at 16, which makes it interesting since we only know what's happening from his point of view (both as a 16 year old with some reflection as an adult). It was a little bit like reading a diary in that sense. We never really know what's going on inside the other characters. The best parallel I can give for how this story is presented is the TV series "The Wonder Years" in how the adult narrator is there but not there since the teenage self is really the focus of the story. I've read on different forums that some people find the ending a twist in terms of Zinaida's (Vladimir's crush) true love, but to me they hinted at it pretty early in the story.

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