Russka

The Novel of Russia

By: Edward Rutherfurd

Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon

Length: 39 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Russka is the story of four families who are divided by ethnicity but united in shaping the destiny of Russia. From a single riverside village situated at one of the country’s geographic crossroads, Russia’s Slav peasant origins are influenced by the Greco-Iranian, Khazar, Jewish, and Mongol invasions. Unified by this one place, the many cultures blend to form a rich and varied tapestry.

Rutherfurd’s grand saga is as multifaceted as Russia itself: harsh yet exotic, proud yet fearful of enemies, steeped in ancient superstitions but always seeking to shape the emerging world. Peter the Great, Ivan the Terrible, Catherine the Great, and Lenin all play their roles in creating and destroying the land and its people.

In Russka, Edward Rutherfurd has transformed the epic history of a great civilization into a human story of flesh and blood.

©1991 Edward Rutherfurd (P)2000 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Rutherfurd literally personifies history.” ( New York Daily News)

“Impressive…Rutherfurd has indeed embraced all of Russia.” ( Washington Post Book World)

“Russka succeeds where [other books] of trendy Soviet-watching have failed…Rutherfurd can take his place among an elite cadre of chroniclers such as Harold Lamb, Maurice Hindus, and Henri Troyat.” ( San Francisco Chronicle)

Cvision

Good but format in time was challenging. Not linear in the traditional manner but grateful story and lends itself to audio world.

long story to follow

it was a good view of Russian history with many gaps in time..maybe too much history to focus..but I liked it..took a long time to finish

Long dark night

You have to like authors like Rutherford or Michener to even attempt this listen. Rutherford covers hundreds of years of Russian & Ukrainian history through the lives of generations of several families who interact with each other through the ages. I now think I have a better understanding of the historical context of the current invasion of Ukraine by Russia.My criticism of the story itself is that Rutherford spends hours, (hundreds of pages), on the early years. Once he reaches the rise of communism after the revolution the story is rushed & I was left feeling like a lot was left unfinished in the modern era, while older characters stories were resolved.

Great

Well narrated. Brings history alive. Highly recommend. Check it out. Hope to find more from this author.

History, Intrigue...Rutherford

Would you listen to Russka again? Why?

I would listen again. All the details and all the time covered is worth hearing again.

Any additional comments?

As with the other Rutherford books, this fantastic weaving of history and fiction makes listening a joy and learning effortless.

Understanding Russia

This story follows the Russian/Ukraine people from approximately 100 AD to the present. It's an ambitious task and was well done. Despite the hundreds of characters the story flowed well although in they all intertwined in the end sometimes I felt a story line had been left "hanging". The book does an excellent job of going thru the various politics that have an impact on today's global struggles. I found myself "googling" places and looking at Maps to get an idea of "where" things were happening. Over all an excellent read.

Excellent read/listen

I chose to listen to this book in preparation for my 3-week trip to Russia. My prior understanding of Russia had been picked up from Dr. Zhivago and remembering the Cold War when Krushchev was their leader. Rutherfurd has done an excellent job of putting Russian history into story form. In fact, after the trip, I listened to the book a second time because now I can put some things in perspective with what I had experienced when I was there. What a great learning experience!

Sweeping And Enthralling

Such a massive work was a little intimidating to tackle but having read Rutherford's "London," "Paris," and "Sarum" I knew the subject and style would capture me. I wasn't wrong or disappointed. This almost filmic audio presentation absolutely absorbed me and kept me sitting in my car numerous times to finish a special chapter or section. A terrific listen and I say 'hear hear!'

A great perspective on Russia

well-laid out and flows well, tho it sometimes jumps around in time, so a bit confusing at first. I feel I have a deeper well of knowledge as I encounter Russia through our news sources.

Not what I expected

I thought this would be a history of Russia, but it's just an old novel. If you're looking for history, try the Great Courses course.