Now living in Seattle, Marina is an elderly woman who is sinking into Alzheimer's. About to attend her granddaughter's wedding, her past overtakes her and she flashes to a muddled world of war, beautiful art, and the struggle to survive. She had worked as a guide at the Hermitage in Leningrad; but when war broke out, Marina and her comrades were tasked with removing the museum's priceless treasures and storing them safely. During the 900 days of siege, the city residents faced devastation, starvation, and cold. The Hermitage's basement became Marina's refuge. I loved the way she could recall the details of the paintings. It helps to have been to the Hermitage or to have access to copies of the paintings there, but it's not necessary for the ultimate understanding of this poignant story.
