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.
“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)
"Wonderful Historical Novel"
I was so very glad to discover you had added Russka to you Edward Rutherford's books. He is a truly wonderful writer, whose's books are exhaustively researched and very accurate, yet full of characters that make a wonderful novel - Wonderful!
I only wish you'd release his other works "The Forest". "London", etc in a unabridged format. Abridging these novels is almost a sin.
Wonderful book worth both the time and credit!
"History, Intrigue...Rutherford"
I would listen again. All the details and all the time covered is worth hearing again.
As with the other Rutherford books, this fantastic weaving of history and fiction makes listening a joy and learning effortless.
I love history,I am into genealogy, my iPod is my constant companion. Favorite authors...D. Gabaldon, N. DeMille, K. Follett, E. Rutherfurd
"Not Rutherfurd's Best,but very good!"
I am a huge fan of Rutherfurd, I love big books and history. I did listen to Russka twice back to back to firmly implant the family names in my mind, and I found I enjoyed it more the second time around. The book gave me a little different view of Russian history than I had. All I can say is, it has to be good to listen to it twice. I found the narration of Wanda McCaddon very good as well. I had enjoyed her in Sarum.
"This book is long in coming"
I waited for this book to come out on Audible for a long time. I read it back in the 90s, and this audio version does not disappoint. I love the mingling of different narratives throughout the history of Russia. It truly helps the reader understand how a Russian mentality is different from our own Western mentality.
This book is too long to listen to in one sitting. It has different narratives spanning the entire history of Russia, so it is easily broken up into smaller (but still very substantial) parts.
Westport, CT
"Underwhelming"
Wow, compared to New York this one was really tough to get thru, I guess it was one of his early books, Saram was Ed R. hometown(Salisbury) so that explains why it being his first book was good as it was filled detailed facts although poorly written the narrator was good. Russka’s narrator was subpar and the story except for the the 20th century section seems to lack any detail. Of course the 20th century had detail as this requires no research. I felt Ed R. does not like or respect Russians based on the characters in the novel.
I do like long audio books and Russka certainly is not a complete waste of time, reading Paris now, which has far better writing and narration.