The Madonnas of Leningrad Audiobook

" Interesting story, especially if you like art. The main character is suffering from Alzheimer's and lives in her memories of working at the Hermitage during the siege of Stalingrad. "

" I liked this book. Some of the things I liked about it were the descriptive language as the author described the Hermitage (and the paintings) in Russia. I liked her style of writing, how she kept going back between past and present. What I didn't like was the way I never really got to know any of the characters in the book. Dimitri is not well represented, the relationship with the daughter is not developed enough. I went away feeling that the book was unfinished, with a lot of questions. I don't know if this was on purpose but I almost feel like there should be a sequel! "

" Of course, as always I love the other culture aspect. The artistic setting was also very nice. I really liked the characters and wanted more! The contrast between the woman as young and in the war to her as elderly was well done. "

" I expected something so much more interesting... hiding the art of the Hermitage during the Nazi bombing sounded like it could be full of danger, suspense, and bravery! but the book really only used this as a backdrop. it as mostly about Alzheimers and also about how the Russians suffered during WWII. It was somewhat interesting and kept my attention enough but I was let down with the focus of the story. "

" I liked the book. It wasn't one that you just couldn't put down but was an enjoyable read. I liked the information about the art in the Hermitage. As I came across the paintings in the book I would find them online and would read more about them. I could also feel the pain, hunger, and cold that the Siege on Leningrad brought to the people through her descriptions. I think that Debra Dean did a wonderful job showing how Alzheimer's effects someone and the people around them. "

" This book moves back & forth between Marina's life in 1940's Leningrad and 40 some years later when she is struggling with Alzheimers. An interesting portrayal of that bleak time at the Hermitage and the survival of she and her husband Dimitri. The ending left me in the air & wishing it could have been better for them. A pretty good read. "

" Must love art to really love this book I think. I lost momentum when I set this one down and I couldn't get back into it so I just gave up. "

" Just finshed. (OK so the bookclub was last night but I was 90% done then! Finished now!!) Really enjoyed it!Wait...did I read it?? I don't remember! Ha-ha! "

" Wonderful book, you learn about the Russian side of WWII "

" Interesting tale, but the flow from reality to the past was not as smooth as it should've been. A few more details would have added so much to the story. And the ending was abrupt. I turned the page expecting a denouement. "

" This is a good book that weaves a tale about a women with Alzhiemers and her memories of living during WWII in Leningard. D "

" A woman with Alzheimers is increasingly unable to distinguish between her present-day life attending a grandchild's wedding and her war-time experiences in Leningrad. "

" It was beautifully written; it made me cry. I enjoyed the way the narrative was interwoven between the past and the present. "

" so far, reminiscent of one of my favorites, 'city of thieves'. "

" The trials of WWII contrasted w/ the present battle w/ Alzheimer's. Dreamlike and highly visual. "

" WWII, historical fiction, the narration alternates between Marina's Alzheimer's and her work at the Hermitage Museum during the siege of Leningrad, enjoyed the descriptions of the paintings, just ok--prefer Dunmore's novel "

" Liked it, historically accurate, very descriptive. Mix of everything that happens to women. "

" Really liked this book. The discriptions of hunger during the siege are very realistic, and one can almost feel the biting cold. "

" The best piece of historical fiction I have read, to date. It seem incredibly well-researched and infused with emotion. "

" Therre was a lot of tension in this novel that concerns the horrors of wartime and those of a person developing Alzheimers. The tone was constistently maintained. The author managed to touch upon very human moments among the horrors. "

" Fascinating story. Very well researched and written. I had a hard time putting it down, and can't wait to read Debra Dean's newest novel, "The Mirrored World"! "

" This book was so beautiful and so sad that I had to blink away tears many times before I could continue reading. War and alzheimers and the ways people cope. I've never been to the Hermitage, but this book felt like a personal tour. "

" Something about this book really pulled me into the story. I think a big part of it is that I just finished planning a unit on "Animal Farm" so had recently refreshed and increased my knowledge of the Russian Revolution. "

" The story was interesting, but I felt like an illustrated version would have been more helpful. I couldn't quite tell if it was a good story or a good gimmick. "

" Not a bad book but seems like I've been reading too many books lately that jump back and forth between the past and present. This would be a good read if you like art history and WWII stories. "