Life and Fate: The Complete Series (Dramatised) Audiobook

" I think this might be the greatest 20th-century book I have ever read. Vast, profound, compassionate, searching and very affecting. I can think of no better dissection of totalitarian regimes, on both sides of the political spectrum. The author was uniquely placed to write about his subject - both he and this novel deserve far greater recognition. Truly a masterpiece. "

" I wanted to read this after the Radio 4 dramatisation - it is an extraordinary work....a great novel is meant to take you into other people's lives and experiences, and this totally immerses one in the experiences of the Russians, Jews and Germans in Stalingrad in 1942. An extraordinary witness statement - he was there, saw the camps, he lost his mother in a massacre, he reported on Stalingrad as it happened...we must never forget how badly people can behave under terrible pressure. And yet, as he argues, the most redeeming human feature is kindness - as long as the individual can find kindness within himself, humanity will survive. "

" I'm reluctant to give this book only 3 stars, given the amount of time I put into it! In some ways it's very compelling as it recounts the parallels between the Nazi regime and Stalinist Russia. The author doesn't give you a chance to grow attached to the characters, however, because the book alternates between about 10 different story lines, all with different people you have to keep track of. Though there are some moving scenes, overall I would say the book is somewhat flat in its weak character development and its occasional lack of subtlety. "

" A little hard-going at first, but what a huge pay-off! The difficulty mostly lay in getting a handle on all the Russian names and locations, but once I'd figured these out and knew who was whom...this is truly one of the greatest novels of the 20th century. "

" One of the greatest books ever written, absolutely stunning. "

" The single most amazing book I will ever read. "

" This book is outstanding and the back story of its publication is incredible. For either reason, this book deserves to be read! Often compared to War and Peace, I believe it is much better (and Tolstoy would not mind that heresy). "

" One of the best books I've read in my life. "

" An epic Russian novel of Tolstoy-ian porportions set during WWII. So far a facinating and harrowing read "

" One of the best books I have ever read. A real epic, but gripping. "

" This book punched me in the gut and jumped all over me. It will haunt me for months. Life-changing. "

" The greatest book ive ever read, need i say more. "

" it isn't perhaps as well drawn together as war and peace, but it has some truly amazing passages, and though it is 850 pages, it is incredibly readable. loved it. "

" Na 350 pagina's geloofde ik het wel. Register met alle personages was zeker geen overbodige luxe "