The Revolution of Marina M.

By: Janet Fitch

Narrated by: Yelena Shmulenson

Length: 30 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

From the mega-bestselling author of White Oleander and Paint It Black, a sweeping historical saga of the Russian Revolution, as seen through the eyes of one young woman. St. Petersburg, New Year's Eve, 1916.

Marina Makarova is a young woman of privilege who aches to break free of the constraints of her genteel life, a life about to be violently upended by the vast forces of history. Swept up on these tides, Marina will join the marches for workers' rights, fall in love with a radical young poet, and betray everything she holds dear, before being betrayed in turn.

As her country goes through almost unimaginable upheaval, Marina's own coming-of-age unfolds, marked by deep passion and devastating loss, and the private heroism of an ordinary woman living through extraordinary times. This is the epic, mesmerizing story of one indomitable woman's journey through some of the most dramatic events of the last century.

©2017 Janet Fitch (P)2017 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Incandescent. Fitch has expertly drawn the world of Russia in 1916 in flurries of white, like an exquisite snow globe, and then nudged it to the edge of a precipice, until in one jarring push, it falls. It crashes and each brilliant shard lifts and swirls. Poets, artists, profiteers, soldiers, cult leaders, sadists, idealists, blood, sex, hope all piecing together in a new life, a new country. The brilliant Janet Fitch has written yet another powerful, kaleidoscopic novel." (Cynthia Bond, author of Ruby)

"Ambitious, vivid, engrossing. Fitch puts flesh and bones on one of the most tumultuous times in human history, a vast canvas filled with the rising up the oppressed, naïve hope, abrupt reversals, and crushing betrayals. The novel is a virtuoso rendition of the time, buoyed by Fitch's impeccable research and her bold, unforgettable prose." (Susan Sherman, author of If You Are There and The Little Russian)

"This is Janet Fitch at her finest." (Elizabeth Entenman, HelloGiggles)

Very Dark

I was never so relieved for a book to end. Not only was it long, but unfolded in a time and place where there was so little happiness and light. Expertly written, I often came away from it feeling sad and defeated - I believe that is a testimony to the skill of the author. I love St Petersburg, so maybe that made it easier for me to see it through to its conclusion (but was that a conclusion?). However, I definitely will need to choose a lighter subject for my next listen ... this book left me depressed and exhausted.

Marina's Revolution, Indeed!

Nothing like a revolution springing its banks, while a somewhat pampered poetess and the men and women in her life try to navigate the flood waters. She believed she could so she did, or at least, she tried to and that's all
that matters.

I'm a Dr. Zhivago nut. Watched it over and over, read it in college, reread it a few years ago by audio. When I was a child, I understood the love and the tragedy. When in college, I picked up so much more on the politics. It was only when I listened again a few years ago that I realized the themes- the old Country vs the new country, and how Zhivago's loves reflected them, and the tragedies of each. Because I'm such a Dr. Z fan, I was a bit afraid to pick this up, especially with the billing being somewhat of a Dr. Z for women.

I'm not really sure it is, but the beauty of this book Is how it stands on its own, rather like The Count did in The Gentleman of Moscow. I don't think the symbolism is near as strong as in Dr. Z, but the depth of the journey is certainly present, the hopes, the loves, and the tragedies. The shattered lives, the growth, the twists and turns. It is amazing what humans will do to survive. This book showed me yet another top story of the Reds and beyond. Highly recommend.

So rich in characters and imagination

Janet Fitch has done it again, pulling us into the world of Marina M, a 16-year old daughter of the one of the Russian Bourgeoisie. We first meet her in 1918, rebellious with Bolshevik sympathies. Marina has so much unimaginable happen to her by the time she turns 19, including rejection by her parents, seduction, torture, and near-starvation, that it seems there are at least half a dozen novellas here. Her incredible experiences go beyond the chaos and uncertainty of the revolution.
I am going to miss Marina M.

More "Gone with the Wind" than "War and Peace"

Any additional comments?

I never write reviews, but I must say something about this book. I was expecting a “sweeping historical saga” and serious literary fiction, but I realized my mistake after the first tawdry sex scene. By the time we get to the cult and the abrupt ending (with no indication of a serial), I had spent 30 hours on the kind of book I would never pick up on my own.

What kept me going? I listen to a lot of Russia-related books, both fiction and non-fiction. This is the first Audible book on a Russian theme where the narrator actually knows Russian. Usually Russian novels and great non-fiction like Anne Appelbaum’s "Gulag" are ruined by horrendous mispronunciations that could be easily corrected. I kept listening to “Marina M.” partly just to enjoy Yelena Shmulenson’s authentic narration. Most of the books she has narrated seem similarly light, but I will listen to Svetlana Alexievich’s “The Unwomanly Face of War” just for Shmulenson’s narration. I hope Audible will use her for other Russia-related books.

As for the story, I’m not familiar with Janet Fitch. I did some research and found that she studied Russian history and loves Dostoevsky. References in the book to futurist poetry, Viktor Skhlovsky, and precise historical details might be lost on many readers, but they demonstrate a deep knowledge of Russian cultural history. Her specific descriptions of St. Petersburg are spot on. It’s just a shame that she wastes her talents following the pattern of Danielle Steele, rather than Dostoevsky.

Nonetheless, I will probably listen to the sequel. The naïve Marina of this volume is bound to become disillusioned with her revolution, if the author is faithful to the facts. I’m guessing she will end up in the Gulag.

Raw emotions through your guts...

Such emotional journey through history...gut wrenching. A classic. The best novel I read this year. Period.

bad ending

such a lengthy involved story that came to an abrupt lame ending. dissapointing after previous works from the author.

It soooo left me hanging

It’s a long story I was in it to win it. Tho the book just kind of ended. Lots of unanswered questions. I wanted more. I was left hanging out there and nothing.

Trip through space and time

Great narrative, a story to get lost in. I loved it. I can almost smell the pine trees.

Janet Fitch is no female Zhivago!

I think my expectations were too high. I thought I was getting a literary novel but this was a historical romance novel with a bit of mysticism thrown in. Not bad as they go, but the reviews were misleading.

Fascinating story

Fascinating story of lives and struggle during the Russian revolution. Well presented, entertaining and heartfelt.