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Russian Winter: A Novel Audiobook
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Publisher Description
“A soaring debut novel. An elegant, compelling puzzle of family, memory and solitude that brings to life modern-day Boston and postwar Russia through a profound love story. Graceful, moving, and unexpected.” —Matthew Pearl, New York Times bestselling author of The Dante Club
In Russian Winter, a famed ballerina’s jewelry auction in Boston reveals long-held secrets of love and family, friendship and rivalry, harkening back to Stalinist Russia. Called “tender, passionate, and moving” by Jenna Blum, the New York Times bestselling author of Those Who Save Us, Russian Winter is a perfect choice for fans of the novels of Ann Patchett (Bel Canto), and Ian McEwan (Atonement).
When Nina Revskaya puts her remarkable jewelry collection up for auction, the former Bolshoi Ballet star finds herself overwhelmed by memories of her homeland, and of the events, both glorious and heartbreaking, that changed her life half a century earlier. It was in Russia that she discovered the magic of dance and fell in love, and where, faced with Stalinist aggression, a terrible discovery incited a deadly act of betrayal—and an ingenious escape to the West.
Nina has kept her secrets for half a lifetime. But now Drew Brooks, an inquisitive associate at a Boston auction house, and Grigori Solodin, a professor who believes Nina's jewels hold the key to unlocking his past, begin to unravel her story—setting in motion a series of revelations that will have life-altering consequences for them all.
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"I really liked this book, though it slowed down in the middle. Kalotay makes life in post-WW II Moscow and the grueling life of a ballet dancer come to life. But what a bleak and insecure life it was. Nina the prima ballerina managed to defect to the West but never managed to find much happiness there. She left behind much sadness, tragedy, heartbreak and misunderstanding. As a Boston auction house prepares an auction of Nina's impressive collection of jewelry, Nina's past comes into focus. It takes a small group of people in Boston to gradually work out the details of Nina's life in the USSR and help Nina put her past to rest. As the auction curator, Drew's life changes. Russian scholar Grigori Solodin is changed as well and he can begin to move beyond his past too. The jumps between modern-day Boston and the Stalin era in Moscow were sometimes too abrupt, but worked overall."
— Jennifer (4 out of 5 stars)
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“A satisfying mystery with a finely drawn plot…The secrets at the heart of the novel are treated as delicately, and guarded as carefully, as the precious stones at the story’s centre, and only revealed at the novel’s satisfying end.”
— Times Literary Supplement (London) -
“An auspicious first novel, elegantly written and without a false note.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review) -
“Each character has a petrified secret. The interlocking plots—the present alternates with Revskaya’s youth—build to harrowing betrayals, showing how Soviet Russia was ‘rearranged to discourage love for anything other than one’s country.’”
— New Yorker -
“[A] magnificent tale of love, loss, betrayal and redemption…The emotional center of the book holds everything together…[A] final riptide of revelations leaves the reader profoundly moved.”
— Washington Post Book World -
“With sure and suspenseful artistry, Daphne Kalotay intersperses the unfortunate and tortuous histories of Nina, Elsin, and their artist friends with new discoveries and disclosures. The several stories draw together in a conclusion that is surprising, fitting, and satisfying.”
— Boston Globe
Awards
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Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award
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Longlisted for the 2012 International Dublin Literary Award
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Selected for the September 2010 Indie Next List
Russian Winter Listener Reviews
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" I really enjoyed this book, although the ending seemed rather abrupt. "
— Patsy, 1/29/2014 -
" Beautifully written. I could not put the book down as I had to know the outcome of each of the characters involved. Anyone that has an interest in historical fiction, dance or history will find this captivating. "
— Deborah, 1/25/2014 -
" The best fiction novel I have read in ages! I did not want it to end. A cross between Dr. Zhivago and Girl With a Pearl Earring. Fascinating story, rich characters, beautiful writing style. I cannot recommend this book highly enough for an enjoyable satisfying read. Time frame alternates between present day Boston and the Stalin era in the Soviet Union. Historically informing without being tedious. This book will be on my list of books to give this Christmas! "
— Ruth, 1/22/2014 -
" I enjoy historical fiction. This was a good one. It started a little slow for me but then turned into an interesting love story, mystery, history and enough twists to keep you wondering. "
— Donna, 1/20/2014 -
" I loved this book! It was a suspenseful book that kept my attention. I liked that there was some historical value from the Stalin era in the book. I would read more of this authors books in the future. "
— Kristina, 1/16/2014 -
" Incredible tale,itrigueing story, our book club did not agree on how the story actually ended "
— Rita, 1/12/2014 -
" Second 1/2 of the book saved it. It was hard to get into, the parts set in modern time were really hard to read and follow. The parts set in Stalin's Russia were great to read. But this could be that I would rather read Historical Fiction. "
— ER, 12/25/2013 -
" Kalotay deserves applause for her ability to weave a fascinating story---full of historical fact---leaving the reader with much to think about. "
— Janet, 12/21/2013 -
" My daughter received this as an ARC. I liked the story but I thought it was a little slow to develop. The main character could have been more likeable. I found it a little difficult to be sympathetic. "
— Christine, 10/18/2013 -
" Very good read. A tad predictable but still with a few twists. Good reflection on ballet as well. Highly recommemd "
— TJ, 8/17/2013 -
" Nina Revskaya is a former world renowned Russian ballerina who defected to the west. Memories of her previous life haunt her when she decides to auction off all her jewelery. Kalotay givs the reader an interesting look at post war Russia under Stalin. "
— Maryellen, 8/17/2013 -
" I thought this book was lovely. "
— Desi, 7/20/2013 -
" Really enjoyable book about the life of a dancer in Russia. We read it as a book club. "
— Sharlene, 5/1/2013 -
" I very much enjoyed this book. And it ended just the way it should have. Good read. . . "
— Sandra, 3/9/2013 -
" Enjoyable read, good double story. Fairly predictable. "
— Helen, 12/13/2012 -
" I have never read much on the Stalinist Russia and found the social commentary to be very interesting as well as the details about the Bolshoi Ballet. I have always been intrigued and loved it! "
— Andrea, 9/6/2012 -
" I didn't make it even 1/4 through this novel. It was boring and the characters were uninteresting. "
— Dina, 5/20/2012 -
" I enjoyed it. Till the end I was not sure how it ends. "
— Kasia, 4/3/2012 -
" Book I was hard for me to read, the story jumps around while giving background to the characters. By Book II, I knew the characters and it was easier to follow. I enjoyed this book. I love reading about the history, the ballet, and their struggles. "
— Oletha, 1/1/2012 -
" Just couldn't get through it ..... tried twice b/c I like the ballerina story line. But it was just so wordy and BORING. If I'm not hooked in the first 3 chapters or so, it's not worth the time. Sad. :( "
— Molli, 11/2/2011 -
" Story about Russian ballerina that defected. <br/> "
— Jan, 6/30/2011 -
" If you are into ballet, jewelry and the "old" Russia this would be the book for you. I found I'm not all that interested...it was okay. "
— Marilyn, 6/22/2011 -
" Good book but not great. Easy enough to read but it did drag at more than a few points. Nice use of flashing back in time to explain the present. "
— Holly, 6/8/2011 -
" I very much enjoyed this book. And it ended just the way it should have. Good read. . . "
— Sandra, 6/4/2011 -
" This is one of those books that jumps back and forth in time, which I sometimes find irritating and confusing. But it worked very well to keep building momentum to the climax. I also really liked reading about life in the USSR in the mid-20th century; sure made me appreciate our freedoms more. "
— Michigankim, 5/20/2011
About Daphne Kalotay
Born and raised in New Jersey, Daphne Kalotay is a graduate of Vassar College and of Boston University, where she received an MA in creative writing and a Ph.D. in literature. Her short stories have appeared in various literary journals and magazines, and she has taught literature and writing at Middlebury College and Boston University. She lives in Brookline, Massachusetts.
About Kathleen Gati
Kathleen Gati is an award-winning actress who has starred in a number of Hungarian television series and films.