A TALE SET IN RUSSIA IN THE COLDEST WINTER IN HISTORY. (City of Thieves - David Benioff)

Member Name: saramac

Product:	City of Thieves - David Benioff
Date:	19/08/09 (71 review reads)
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In my quest to stretch my imagination by reading books I would not normally choose, I happened upon this book.


The cover of my copy is a deep shade of red with gold writing, very eye catching as indeed it did catch my eye, complete with a paper wrapper proclaiming that if I bought the book and didn't enjoy it, they would give me two free books, sounds fair to me.


The story is told by a Grandfather to his Grandson about a particular week in his life during WW2.
The setting is Leningrad, Russia and it's 4 months into the siege, the city and it's people are starving.


Lev(grandad) is 17 yrs old and is pretty much fending for himself, through an act of kindness he gets caught and arrested for looting a dead German paratrooper.


Thrown into a cell awaiting execution the following morning, Lev meets his cell mate Kolya a handsome soldier charged with desertion.


When morning dawns they are met with a seemingly impossible challenge, set by a Colonel in the Russian Army, if they return empty handed they die...


I enjoyed this book immensely and infact found it very hard to put down, just wanting to read a little further into the adventure.


It's a thought provoking read and some of the atrocities described were etched on my mind for a few days although it's by no means a grim read full of "blood and gore", events are touched upon which are an uncomfortable to read but sadly these are a part of war and I feel must be included to give the story authenticity.


The story is set against the coldest winter in history and I really felt the cold especially with the descriptions of the multi layers of garments people had to wear just to stay alive, as their malnourished, starving bodies battled to function.


We see the shy Lev grow up during this week of his life and form a strong bond of friendship with the self assured Kolya, someone who repeatedly annoys Lev when they first meet as Kolya can't seem to "shut up" at the appropriate times and the ever nervous Lev knows this will lead them into worse trouble.


Pure human resourcefulness is abundant throughout this tale, with complete strangers banding together and pooling whatever food they have stashed to share a meagre meal and you are left smiling at the strength not only the food supplies in nourishing their bodies but the camaraderie that ensues nourishing both their minds and spirits also.


The fluency of the tale takes us through the plights of the cities, towns and countryside as they are destroyed and ravaged by the effects of war. For me there is sufficient historical facts within the tale, anymore would have tipped it into the realms of a predominantely historical war tale instead of the gripping, amusing, moving tale that it is.


We see Lev and Kolya constantly battling to complete their challenge whilst also evading capture by the Germans, convincing the Russian Army they have a secret mission to complete, and as if that isn't enough to contend with they come into contact with the Russian Partisans, it really is a whirlwind of a tale that leaves you exhausted at times.


Cannibalism is touched upon but isn't described too vividly thank goodness as my imagination has never needed too much prompting.
It shows first Love blossoming and how such Love can lead to a teenager maturing to a level which sees him provoked to act with selfless bravery to save others, something he was definitely not capable of at the beginning of the tale.


In conclusion. if you want a thought provoking , non stop adventure that equally makes you smile and gasp set in the depths of a cruel bleak Russian winter during WW2, a tale of a friendship and human endurance that grows as a teenager is forced to maturity with all he sees and endures, this could be an excellent book for you.


I have never read any other books by this author, but I will be having a look at his other offerings now. I highly recommend this book.


The tale was long enough to be believable but not too long as to become a chore to read and in my opinion ended with a feeling of satisfaction.


Format ~ Paperback
Pages ~ 400
Publisher ~ Sceptre
ISBN ~ 978-0-340-97739-2
Cover Price ~ £7.99


Available in Tesco for £3.86 or as part of a buy 2 for £7.00 offer.

Also available on line for approx £5.59 www.waterstones.com

Thanks for reading my review.

Summary: A gripping tale of friendship and survival set in Russia in the midst of WW2.