The Madonnas of Leningrad: A Novel
by Debra Dean
|
List Price: Our Price: $4.29 You Save: $9.70 (69%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.72 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of The Madonnas of Leningrad: A Novel
Book Review: A Great Read
Summary: 5 Stars
We ( my wife and I ) both found the Madonnas of Leningrad to be an excellent, gripping and highly informative book. It is a complex tale, skillfully woven together, touching on Alzheimer disease, Russian history ( The German Siege of Leningrad), and the details of great art works. It has kindled in us a great desire to visit the Hermitage and St. Petersburg. More than that, it has inspired us to buy several more copies to give to friends who we thought would greatly enjoy reading this very well crafted novel.
I recommend it highly!
Book Review: Nice Little Novel
Summary: 4 Stars
This book was a nice, quick read that will appeal to anyone interested in either art, history, or both. Dean has stripped the story down to the very basics, weaving a fascinating story about a Russian woman who survived the siege of Leningrad while bunkered down in a large museum with family, friends and other museum employees. The writing is smooth and polished, the story is entertaining, and the book flies by so fast that the reader almost experiences it as a dream, not unlike the whistful remembrances of the narrator.Book Review: A MUST REA
Summary: 5 Stars
Someone said, "If you know someone who has Alzheimer's, you do not want to read this book." Absolutely not true! My father-in-law has Alzheimers and I found this book to be incredibly insightful and thoughtful in regards to Alzheimer's. Once I started this book I could not put it down. The way Debra Dean weaves the tales in this book just captured me. It is probably one of the best books I have read. Absolutely incredible. I immediately emailed all of my friends and told them they HAD to read this book! Just lovely!Book Review: A good read on several levels.
Summary: 5 Stars
This first time novel was a reward to read not only for the history and the love story but also for the story between aging parents and children. While some readers did not appreciate the time shifts from the present to WWII and back, I found that it was a necessary and important device to help the reader understand Marina's dementia. The descriptions of the Hermitage and the Winter Palace transport the reader straight to wartorn Leningrad. It was a joy to read and I look forward to the author's next work.Book Review: Worth reading "Madonnas of Leningrad"
Summary: 4 Stars
As I was able to read the entire book while on a plane from Boston to Phoenix, I could immerse myself in the story and thought that it was a very good read and certainly should be understood in the light of the history of the siege of Leningrad...and a good way to present some of the effects of Alzheimers disease.
Well written except for the ending which seemed to be a bit 'rushed' and almost a purposeful way to leave room for a sequel,e.g., how Dimitri and Helen's lives continue.