Sashenka

A Novel

By: Simon Montefiore

Narrated by: Anne Flosnik

Length: 19 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's Summary

In the best-selling tradition of Dr. Zhivago, Sophie's Choice, and The Island, this is an epic story of revolution, passion, and betrayal - and one woman whose extraordinary secret lies hidden for half a century.

©2008 Simon Montefiore (P)2008 Tantor

Historical Novel That Touches Your Soul...

Great story! From the inception to self-destruction of infamous Soviet Union the book unveils many tragedies from the eyes of young, naive and idealistic heroine. Sashenka takes you on a life journey through the most depressing, though captivating time of Russian history. While listening to the book reader would truly experience that miserable existence under the iron boot of the Soviet cabal. Having firsthand knowledge of the subject I will attest, it is portrayed with finest accuracy. The writer reveals this dark period in all its malice. After the novel, you will understand what Russian people have endured for almost a century and ultimately still paying for. The readers voice illustrate the general mood and fear people lived under; the feeling lingers long time after you are finished listening. My only regret is that almost all of the names and places are butchered beyond recognition, unfortunately it includes the title. So don't try to flaunt your Russian pronunciation with any native speakers after the book. But you can certainly flaunt your intellectual understanding of that era.

Fascinating Historical Thriller About A Dark Time

I was pleasantly surprised by the suspense in this historical novel. Despite its relatively slow start, the story held my interest and filled in a missing chunk of what life must have been like for those enthralled by the Bolshevik philosophy that drove the Russian revolution and steered a nation through the dark waters of Stalin's macabre reign. The characterizations are strong, and Sashenka lingers as a haunting figure long after the author's last sentences fade to silence. The reader of this audiobook version is truly excellent--a true artist who brings the novel to full and vibrant life. I hope you enjoy this novel as much as I did.

Vague and too real all at once.

It was a unique narrative about the fate of a fervently committed Bolshevik woman, Sashenka, and her tragic rise and fall in the Communist Party. Her journey started in high minded idealism and ended because of paranoid barbarism. The revolution eats its own.

Excellent book.

Thoroughly enjoyed the book. This is the third book by this author that I have completed. I can easily say that he has become one of my favorites. The book I will admit was something I thought would not be an interest to me in the first hour or so of listening. But was extremely hard to stop afterwards.

I strongly recommend the authors works and look forward to reading and listening to more of his works.

Intriguing

This was an interesting book, but not until the 3rd section. I found it a little confusing as far as listening to a book goes because of all of the similar names. Maybe it would have been better to read the hard copy and would probably be better the 2nd time. Unfortunately, this story was very slow starting and I found myself bored at the beginning. I am very glad that I forced myself to finish it because the end is redeeming.

Sashenka

I have never written a review before but this book required it. It is a fascinating historical novel about Russia from the revolution to the 1970's. I have "read" a lot of books about Russia and this book fills a gap in Russian historical novels. The story line was a page turner (if you can do that on an IPod.) The narrator was fantastic and made me feel that the real people were there talking to me.

Amazing

It was great. Amazing. Incredible. I want to come back to this book in a few months and revisit the magnificent writing that enthralled me. This story evoked all kinds of emotions from me: sadness, joy, anxiety, fear. I can't wait to share this book with others.

I finished it but.........

It was so boring I could hardly stand it. Finished only because I have been going through credits like crazy.

A Great Read

Passion, History, Tragedy and Love - how well does the author combine these elements to weave a beautiful story, an unforgettable recounting of three distinct historical periods in Russia. Narration was at first hard to get used to but after a little while into the read it became much more enjoyable.

Great historical fiction.

Both author and narrator are becoming favorites of mine. A novel that shows the true Soviet Union under Stalin, and some of the millions of lives his reign impacted.