The Chronicle of the Versemaker

De: Craig C Charles

Narrado por: Virginia Ferguson

The Chronicle of the Versemaker mixes equal parts of A Gentleman in Moscow, The Madonnas of Leningrad, and Doctor Zhivago to create a compelling listen of three remarkable people pushed to their limits while navigating the complex interplay of art, politics, and faith during one of history's most brutal sieges. – Leningrad.

Set against the backdrop of WW2, The Chronicle of the Versemaker transcends the typical "war story" genre. Instead, delving into themes of betrayal, love, and redemption during the siege of Leningrad. At its heart is Joseph Orbeli, tasked with safeguarding the cultural heritage of pre-revolutionary St. Petersburg amidst the chaos of war.

Joining forces with Russia's preeminent poet Anna Akhmatova and famed composer Dmitri Shostakovich, Orbeli confronts both external threats from an advancing German army and internal challenges posed by a cash-strapped Bolshevik regime eager to sacrifice art for industrialization.

As the city faces relentless bombing, a long-hidden chronicle emerges, threatening to expose the dark secrets of Tsarist and Bolshevik rule. Its revelation poses a dilemma for the Bolsheviks: protect their propaganda or risk the annihilation of Leningrad.

©2024 Craig C. Charles (P)2025 Craig C. Charles

Intriguing historical fiction

The Chronicle of the Versemaker is a well written and well performed audiobook. The book takes place during the Siege of Leningrad during WWII. Much of the storyline’s setting is at the State Hermitage Museum with the main characters being from the fine arts community. The author masterfully entwines Joseph Orbeli, the protagonist and head of the State Hermitage with those of not only his own circle in the literary, musical, and art world, but by those who are in charge of what many still call St. Petersburg.

I truly enjoyed listening to the narrator of this book. She captured the essence of each of the characters and narrated clearly and accurately.

I think what I enjoyed most about the book was understanding the history behind the story and how each of the characters fit the narrative. The events leading to finding out what the title of the book meant was of course, the highlight of the book. Thinking of the amount of research that goes into a book such as this and sometimes finding out that truth is stranger than fiction humbles the reader.