The Madonnas of Leningrad

De: Debra Dean

Narrado por: Yelena Shmulenson

Bit by bit, the ravages of age are eroding Marina's grip on the everyday. An elderly Russian woman now living in America, she cannot hold on to fresh memories—the details of her grown children's lives, the approaching wedding of her grandchild—yet her distant past is miraculously preserved in her mind's eye.

Vivid images of her youth in war-torn Leningrad arise unbidden, carrying her back to the terrible fall of 1941, when she was a tour guide at the Hermitage Museum and the German army's approach signaled the beginning of what would be a long, torturous siege on the city. As the people braved starvation, bitter cold, and a relentless German onslaught, Marina joined other staff members in removing the museum's priceless masterpieces for safekeeping, leaving the frames hanging empty on the walls to symbolize the artworks' eventual return. As the Luftwaffe's bombs pounded the proud, stricken city, Marina built a personal Hermitage in her mind—a refuge that would stay buried deep within her, until she needed it once more. . . .

The Madonas of Lebbingrad

Story was good but slightly long. It was a goodread for a women's book group.

Skillful Evocation of Time and Place

What did you love best about The Madonnas of Leningrad?

This book is well written, flowing, intriguing. The blending of recollection into the narrative is stunning. It captures so well the way recollection feels -- its unevenness, its gaps, its uncertainties, and yet, its extraordinary power over the present.

Want to hear more from this author!

Very much enjoyed the book, the author brought out so many visuals which the story is more about than the characters themselves. I wish the ending allowed Marina to pass on her secrets to her daughter, but life is not always like that. A Wonderful book.

A tender account of the survival instinct

This is a GEM of a book! It talks non-judgmentally of human frailties yet expands on the unfathomable strength of the need to survive in most people. The injustices of war and the meaningless posturing of waring nations (or the people in charge) which only goes towards disruption, destruction and death. We should ask - and for what purpose? It tracks two people's lives during and after the invasion into Russia by Germany. Beautifully written with well informed comments about Art, sweet tender responses to the aging process and how the younger members react.A wonderful book which I did not want to end. The narrator was superb with just enough Russian inflection without it being overdone. I highly recommend this book!!

Awesome History Lesson

After visiting Russia last summer this was a wonderful read!
I learned so much about WWII and Leningrad.