About the book
Leningrad, 1933. Loyalties, beliefs, love: all are about to be tested to the limit in one of the most crushing moments the world will ever know. Watching everything is Irina, who understands that simple loyalty to an individual may well be more powerful than blind loyalty to an idea.
Reviewed by Denmead Reading Circle
Divided opinion led to a lively discussion. Generally more members liked than disliked. Good for learning about Russian history. Individual stories of the characters relieved the overall depressing theme.
Star rating ***
Hampshire Libraries 
Review by King’s Somborne book group
Very moving, engrossing and beautifully written. wonderful vignettes, well constructed, excellent character development. epic historical setting. highly recommended.
Star rating *****
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Review by Itchen Reading Group
Four people read this book and we all found it to be an excellent choice. This is the story of people living in Stalinist Russia and how they overcome hardship and fear, change as people and learn to survive.
Star rating ****
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Review from Fareham 5:30 Reading Group
This book provoked a lot of discussion, about the period of Russian history, and the way of life – the state being more important than the individual. Some of the scenes were quite harrowing, and opened our minds to the suffering of that time. We liked the characters – they were well written and plausible, even the minor ones. Not everyone finihsed the book – it is long. We awarded it 3 stars
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