Eight stars
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Robert Littell, and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Robert Littell returns with another great piece of historical fiction. Set during and just after the fall of communism in Russia, Littell take the reader on a journey about the struggles and the filling of gaping holes in the country’s political and power changes during ideological instability. Littell has a history of touching on key aspects and pulling the reader into the middle of the action, keeping it raw and fully enthralling. Littell captivates with ease and keeps the reader wondering how things will turn out, when with the knowledge of history’s decisions.
When Mikhail Gorbachev makes a speech on December 25th, 1991, announcing his resignation os the president of the Soviet Union, few take notice. The flag is lowered and the end of a superpower soon follows. In a power and political void, the country intends on reaching for democracy, but the timing is not as smooth as it ought to be. In that void, the Russian mafia sees their opportunity and lays roots to steer power in their direction.
Control of the country soon takes over, as the Jewish mafia seeks to push for its own control of the country. Violence is rife and blood flows freely, all while the people are waiting got democratic solutions to steer them in the right direction. There is no end in sight and people soon worry that this could be worse than the system they recently left behind.
Caught in the middle of it all are two young lovers—Yulia, the daughter of a Jewish mafia leader, and Roman, son of a Russian mafia godfather—seek to rise above it all and make a difference for themselves. However, as sworn enemies, these two will seek a modern-day Romeo and Juliet to seek love. Question remains, will things end any differently than the Bard’s popular play? Littell keeps things sharp as he meanders throughout the great political void and educates the reader at the same time.
Robert Littell is a great writer, whose novels have always left me wondering. I love learning as I read, something that Littell does well as he pushes the narrative along. There is a sense of tension and momentum gain while things limp along in the story itself. Littell flavours things with a variety of angles, using narrative techniques I quite enjoyed. His characters also add something to the story and keep things intense while history marches on.
Plot twists provide entertainment and education throughout, leaving the reader wondering what awaits them, even as history’s keen pathway stands out. There is something well worth the reader’s attention and Littell keeps things relatively realistic, while positing what might have been. I am eager to get my hands on another Littell novel soon, if only to add to my knowledge of the region.
Kudos, Mr. Littell, for your great work
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