Russka

By: Edward Rutherfurd

Narrated by: Roger Davis

Length: 47 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

In this vast and gorgeous tapestry of a novel, serf and master, Cossack and tsar, priest and Jew are brought together in a family saga which unrolls through centuries of history to reveal that most impenetrable and mysterious of lands - Russia.

Through the life of a little town east of Moscow in the Russian heartland, Edward Rutherfurd creates a sweeping family saga from the baffling contradictions of Russia's culture and her peoples - bleak yet exotic, brutal but romantic, land of ritual yet riddled with superstitious fears.

From Russia's dawn and the cruel Tatar invasions to Ivan the Terrible and the wild Cossacks, from Peter, Catherine and the days of War and Peace to the drama of the Revolution and the extraordinary events of today - here is Russia's story in a spellbinding novel - history recreated with breathtaking detail and passion.

©1991 Edward Rutherford (P)2019 Audible, Ltd

Cannot compare to Michener

This book was chosen based on a recommendation that Rutherford is comparable to James Michener. At 45%, I am bailing on the audible. I’m sure I will finish reading this book, but the narrator does not make me want to listen any more. Not sure if it’s the narrator’s or author’s fault.

Wonderful Historical Novel

I just discovered Mr. Rutherford's novels after completing Ken Follett's historical trilogies and feeling at a loss as to 'what next'? What a delight to find these books! I feel that I have learned much about Russia through his story telling and indeed some of what makes me shake my head about Russia and how the country interacts on the world stage, now makes more sense. Also, the narration of Roger Davis is excellent and makes me feel a part of the story.

An epic on every level

This is a masterpiece and a thorough explanation of the entirety of Russia’s history. Unless we examine Russia’s past, and what therefore informs the country today, we are unlikely to understand it.

Great history lesson

Wonderful history lesson told with stories of families from BC to 1990’s. You begin to understand Russia a bit more !

No accompanying pdf of family tree!

I am only about a third of the way through this, and having listened to Rutherford's "New York" I was expecting great things. The story is fine, though so far not nearly as engaging as in New York. The narration is meh, but what is killing me is that there is no accompanying family tree pdf that tracks the generations through the story. This is a generational story. The book connects the families. But I can't go back and look at a family tree? And with all those slavic names, I'm supposed to be able to remember? I know there is a family tree in the book, why not on the Audible version? You're killing me! Is that a cost-cutting feature? Good grief!

Great Historical Story

Pulled me in with the blending of fictional characters and historical events. Long but detailed and really enjoyable.

So rich

I am impressed at how rich the characters are and how really emotional the story can be. The vocal performance was one of the best I’ve heard. I read this one because my family ran from the Bolsheviks to America and this was a creative way to explore that history.

Great Story!

It is a very good book and helps me review the history of Russia through the family story. The narrator is also excellent who vividly described people and scenes. By listening to the book of Russka I have learned something new about Russian history.

Not a favorite

I struggled with this one. Russka was in my library and I thought it would be a good time to learn a bit about the history of Russia. I have read other Rutherfurd books but this one just didn't engage me. The structure of the story is that centuries go by and the time spent on each character is very little so the story just didn't evolve. Things got a little more interesting in the more modern era and I did learn many interesting facts.

So so

The rolling story generally had a mildly interesting plot. I felt the book could have used a more detailed telling of major historical events. I would have preferred more depth to the events of the last 100 years. I much more enjoyed this authors book ‘New York.’