A well-researched and gripping tale of family love and the lack thereof. The story of a woman and her two daughters, who have suffered all of their lives because of their mother's coldness and apparent lack of love for them. When their very loving father dies, his last wish is for his wife of 50 years, Anya, who originally came from Russia, to tell them the "real" story of the fairy tale she shared with them when they were children. The daughters are unwilling at first to interact with their mother, but eventually, they begin to listen to her story, which is the true story of her past.
The characters started out somewhat flat, and especially repetitive in their actions, which made it a bit difficult to get into the story at first. But soon, the "fairy tale" retold by Anya is so gripping, it's hard to put down.
This is a book that requires an entire box of tissues to get through, but it was a memorable story. I found it evokes "Away" by Amy Bloom. There are some similarities to the character's actions in both.
The characters started out somewhat flat, and especially repetitive in their actions, which made it a bit difficult to get into the story at first. But soon, the "fairy tale" retold by Anya is so gripping, it's hard to put down.
This is a book that requires an entire box of tissues to get through, but it was a memorable story. I found it evokes "Away" by Amy Bloom. There are some similarities to the character's actions in both.
Helpful Score: 6
Having just finished this book, I'm still reeling a bit at the impact the story had on me. I'm afraid that no words I can conjure can do this story justice.
As another reviewer said, it's the story of two adult daughters getting to know their emotionally distant mother after the death of their father. To say more than that would divulge too much of the story, and the reader deserves to experience that themselves.
Suffice it to say it's a story within a story within a story. There are many depths to it, written beautifully.... Some of it glorious and some absolutely tragic. It's a story of the suffering of the body and the triumph of the soul and there's a message in it for all of us.
I HIGHLY recommend this read.
As another reviewer said, it's the story of two adult daughters getting to know their emotionally distant mother after the death of their father. To say more than that would divulge too much of the story, and the reader deserves to experience that themselves.
Suffice it to say it's a story within a story within a story. There are many depths to it, written beautifully.... Some of it glorious and some absolutely tragic. It's a story of the suffering of the body and the triumph of the soul and there's a message in it for all of us.
I HIGHLY recommend this read.
Helpful Score: 6
4.0 out of 5 stars "How can a woman know herself, if she doesn't really know her mother?", May 5, 2011
This was a very interesting and emotionally involving story that moved from a present day setting backward in time to Leningrad, Russia, during the siege of that city during WW II.
Middle aged sisters Meredith and Nina have had a very unhappy and unsatisfying relationship with their cold and reserved Russian mother, Anya. They both have spent years trying to reach her and to earn her love, but neither has been able to breech the barrier that has kept her estranged from them. They know nothing about her past, which seems to limit them in their own ability to fully live their lives and to develop good relationships with those they care about. Meredith is the super obsessive older sister who stayed behind to help her parents run their orchard; she uses chores and activities to avoid thinking about why she has never done what she wanted. Nina left the family behind to become a globetrotting photojournalist with no permanent ties and no need to settle down anywhere with anyone. The girls reunite at the family home when their beloved father, Evan, dies and leaves them devastated and alone with the stranger who is their mother.
Through a series of stories told to the girls by their mother -- at first in fairy-tale fashion -- Meredith and Nina discover that their mother has a past that she has tried to escape by never speaking of it. She tells of the horrors of living and trying to survive in war-torn Leningrad during World War II and the subsequent sacrifices she had to make in order to live. The girls finally find out who their mother is and why she is the way she is.
This is a very touching but horrible story that will keep the reader turning the pages until the stunning revelation at the end. This is a book that does more than entertain - it will make the reader think and feel and want to go hug their loved ones. A book like this can change and affect a reader long after the last words have been read. I recommend it.
This was a very interesting and emotionally involving story that moved from a present day setting backward in time to Leningrad, Russia, during the siege of that city during WW II.
Middle aged sisters Meredith and Nina have had a very unhappy and unsatisfying relationship with their cold and reserved Russian mother, Anya. They both have spent years trying to reach her and to earn her love, but neither has been able to breech the barrier that has kept her estranged from them. They know nothing about her past, which seems to limit them in their own ability to fully live their lives and to develop good relationships with those they care about. Meredith is the super obsessive older sister who stayed behind to help her parents run their orchard; she uses chores and activities to avoid thinking about why she has never done what she wanted. Nina left the family behind to become a globetrotting photojournalist with no permanent ties and no need to settle down anywhere with anyone. The girls reunite at the family home when their beloved father, Evan, dies and leaves them devastated and alone with the stranger who is their mother.
Through a series of stories told to the girls by their mother -- at first in fairy-tale fashion -- Meredith and Nina discover that their mother has a past that she has tried to escape by never speaking of it. She tells of the horrors of living and trying to survive in war-torn Leningrad during World War II and the subsequent sacrifices she had to make in order to live. The girls finally find out who their mother is and why she is the way she is.
This is a very touching but horrible story that will keep the reader turning the pages until the stunning revelation at the end. This is a book that does more than entertain - it will make the reader think and feel and want to go hug their loved ones. A book like this can change and affect a reader long after the last words have been read. I recommend it.
Helpful Score: 4
I enjoyed this book, however there was a large section which seemed very redundant while following the main character through her struggles and daily life. There was also a section that I thought was dragged out and gave more details than was necessary. Almost like the author deliberately did her best to put as many words in there as possible. I found myself skipping over pages once I got the gist of the content, since I felt I had already read it before. I guess about 1/4 of the book could have been edited out, and still it would have been a complete story. Otherwise, it was a satisfying read, with a very good and surprising ending. I really felt that the last 1/4 of the book was great, probably worth trudging through all the redundancy.
Helpful Score: 4
4.0 out of 5 stars "How can a woman know herself, if she doesn't really know her mother?", May 5, 2011
This was a very interesting and emotionally involving story that moved from a present day setting backward in time to Leningrad, Russia, during the siege of that city during WW II.
Middle aged sisters Meredith and Nina have had a very unhappy and unsatisfying relationship with their cold and reserved Russian mother, Anya. They both have spent years trying to reach her and to earn her love, but neither has been able to breech the barrier that has kept her estranged from them. They know nothing about her past, which seems to limit them in their own ability to fully live their lives and to develop good relationships with those they care about. Meredith is the super obsessive older sister who stayed behind to help her parents run their orchard; she uses chores and activities to avoid thinking about why she has never done what she wanted. Nina left the family behind to become a globetrotting photojournalist with no permanent ties and no need to settle down anywhere with anyone. The girls reunite at the family home when their beloved father, Evan, dies and leaves them devastated and alone with the stranger who is their mother.
Through a series of stories told to the girls by their mother -- at first in fairy-tale fashion -- Meredith and Nina discover that their mother has a past that she has tried to escape by never speaking of it. She tells of the horrors of living and trying to survive in war-torn Leningrad during World War II and the subsequent sacrifices she had to make in order to live. The girls finally find out who their mother is and why she is the way she is.
This is a very touching but horrible story that will keep the reader turning the pages until the stunning revelation at the end. This is a book that does more than entertain - it will make the reader think and feel and want to go hug their loved ones. A book like this can change and affect a reader long after the last words have been read. I recommend it.
This was a very interesting and emotionally involving story that moved from a present day setting backward in time to Leningrad, Russia, during the siege of that city during WW II.
Middle aged sisters Meredith and Nina have had a very unhappy and unsatisfying relationship with their cold and reserved Russian mother, Anya. They both have spent years trying to reach her and to earn her love, but neither has been able to breech the barrier that has kept her estranged from them. They know nothing about her past, which seems to limit them in their own ability to fully live their lives and to develop good relationships with those they care about. Meredith is the super obsessive older sister who stayed behind to help her parents run their orchard; she uses chores and activities to avoid thinking about why she has never done what she wanted. Nina left the family behind to become a globetrotting photojournalist with no permanent ties and no need to settle down anywhere with anyone. The girls reunite at the family home when their beloved father, Evan, dies and leaves them devastated and alone with the stranger who is their mother.
Through a series of stories told to the girls by their mother -- at first in fairy-tale fashion -- Meredith and Nina discover that their mother has a past that she has tried to escape by never speaking of it. She tells of the horrors of living and trying to survive in war-torn Leningrad during World War II and the subsequent sacrifices she had to make in order to live. The girls finally find out who their mother is and why she is the way she is.
This is a very touching but horrible story that will keep the reader turning the pages until the stunning revelation at the end. This is a book that does more than entertain - it will make the reader think and feel and want to go hug their loved ones. A book like this can change and affect a reader long after the last words have been read. I recommend it.
