Sashenka: Amazon.co.uk: Simon Sebag Montefiore: Books

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Product Description

THE INDEPENDENT, TEN OF THE HOTTEST BOOKS THIS SUMMER, 25 July 08
'The acclaimed historian of Russia sweeps the brittle high society of pre-Revolutionary St Petersburg, the terror-chilled jails of Stalin's purges and the secrets of 1990s Moscow archives into a tragic panorama.'

Jung Chang, author of Wild Swans
'Intensely moving and gripping, with an unforgettable climax that will touch the hardest heart'

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Customer Reviews

27 Reviews

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

Average Customer Review

4.5 out of 5 stars (27 customer reviews)

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35 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Swept Away!, 13 Jul 2008

By	robin15 - See all my reviews

I disagree with the reviewer who didn't like this novel!

I read a lot of straight history, and what I like most about this book is the way the history is melded into the page-turning story. How can one fail to be moved by Sashenka's plight when she falls in love, and then has to choose between her own life and her children? I think this book will appeal to men and women, young and old, and also to children at school who are studying 20th century history. Sure it simplifies some of the historical issues, and yes there are some coincidences, but this story swept me up so that I felt I too was in revolutionary Russia and Stalin's Moscow. It showed me what it would have been like to live in that time and under those terrible pressures when all around you your friends were disappearing. Surely this is what the reading experience is all about? I unreservedly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

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32 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic, 3 Jul 2008

By	Dr. Robert A. Josey "mystery lover" (Scottish Highlands) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I didn't know quite how to approach this novel. I have read both of Montefiore's studies of Stalin, young and old. They are both extremely disturbing books - but full of telling historical incident, twisted plotting which just couldn't be made up, and an eye for the intimate detail.

Montefiore, the historical fiction writer, employs those strengths in creating an exceptionally powerful saga. I really felt drawn into the story and began to get quite emotionally involved about a third of the way through the book. The writing is vivid, well paced and evocative. (There are also knowing echoes of Tolstoy and Pasternak in there.)

But, above all, I was totally, unashamedly gripped by the 'what is going to happen next?' syndrome. The characters became people I really cared about - and the ending..? It is everything the reviewers said. A real hammer blow to the heart.

'Sashenka' is an excellent 'literary historical novel'. It is passionate, complex, incisive, salutary and utterly bloody upsetting. One of those classic books that people will want to read again - I certainly will - when I recover from it - and enthuse others to read.

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13 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From Russia - with love!, 11 Jul 2008

By	Sophie R. Walker - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I loved this novel. Having studied the great dictators at GCSE level, I thought I knew a bit about Russian history, but the great thing about Simon MOntefiore's Sashenka is that it tells you what it would have been like if YOU lived in St Petersburg or Moscow in the early 20th century, how you would have felt if Stalin himself had come to dinner unexpectedly, or what it must be like for historians today working in the archives beneath the Kremlin looking for missing families.

Sashenka is a really believable heroine, and her harrowing story - which apparentlyis based on a true story- haunts you; it really does make you cry, and yet there's love and laughter there as well. It's quite a long book, yet you read it so quickly that it doesn't feel long at all. I have just finished it, and will read it again. Highly recommended.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

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5.0 out of 5 stars Unmissable Read
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I was utterly absorbed by this haunting epic tale. The author has combined his talents as a first class historian and a natural storyteller with an obvious love of Russia and its... Read more

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1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
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5.0 out of 5 stars 'Captivating must- read'
If you are looking for a brilliant medley of sensational fact and fictional drama, this is the book for you. Read more

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5.0 out of 5 stars Sashenka
A totally gripping book which I couldn't put down. Very disturbing in its content, which is based on fact, and therefore even more compelling. Beautifully written. Read more

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Sashenka (Hardcover)

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