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To Siberia: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.52) - 972 listener ratings
Publisher Description
In To Siberia, an unnamed girl-called Sistermine by her beloved brother Jesper-grows up in WWII Denmark, but dreams of escaping to the idyllic countryland in Siberia. The siblings' already uninvolved parents become even more distant after a family member's suicide. And following the German invasion of Denmark, the now teenaged brother and sister begin to grow apart as well. Jesper longs for the warm southern sun of Morocco, while Sistermine dreams of Siberia's peaceful plains. The siblings' divergent paths are underscored by the intense loneliness of their separation. As Sistermine hopes to be reunited with her brother, she realizes that her dreams of happiness may have passed her by.
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"Like other Petterson books, this one is lyrical and piercingly lovely. This is beautiful writing, transparent and intimate. A coming-of-age book, about a young girl growing up in a family troubled by alcoholism, rage and a pervasive fear of love. The heroine is redeemed by her relationship with her brother, who is full of affection, courage and a wild sense of adventure. She simply lives her life, naked to it, without resentment or rationalization, and it is austerely beautiful, colored by the details of the Scandinavian landscape. Not a page-turner, but a book to savor."
— Judy (5 out of 5 stars)
To Siberia Listener Reviews
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" I liked the story better than Horses. I don't think I would like to live in Denmark... "
— Karen, 2/18/2014 -
" Again, I can not say enough about how amazing a writer Petterson is. Re-read Out Stealing Horses just to soak up more of his prose. "
— Holly, 2/9/2014 -
" Hard to stay interested in this one. Don't know if it was the book or the onset of a northwest winter :) "
— Peggy, 2/6/2014 -
" I was left feeling desolate! The author beautifully describes the cold, harsh landscape of Denmark, reflecting the narrator's dreary life. She survives, but what's the point? She's reflecting back on her life from the vantage point of an old woman, so when the book ends abruptly I wanted answers to all the pregnant questions--pregnancy included! Was her existence futile and entirely without gratification? The last line is: " . . . I was so young then, and I remember thinking: I'm twenty-three years old, there is nothing left in life. Only the rest." I turned the page, anticipating some resolution, and discovered that was THE END. "
— Rhonda, 1/28/2014 -
" Petterson is a maestro of mood & the landscape of the north (Denmark, Sweden, Norway) lends itself well to a pervasiveness loneliness. Even the intense connection(if not for their difference in age one might suspect them of being twins) of the protagonist & her older brother Jesper can't save them from distance & the finality of separation. Set in the 1930s and 40s, before, during & just after WWII. A restrained & constrained universe of sky, sea, snow, war(both personal & political) & silence. The deepest silence of all--family. "
— Paula, 1/18/2014 -
" read on the train to DC! Lovely to read, but did not enjoy the finish (what I said about the other book of his that I read.) "
— Grace, 1/17/2014 -
" Beautifully written, vividly deep characters and an underlining melancholy. It left me sad but touched. "
— Weinz, 12/22/2013 -
" Very atmospheric, beautiful prose, but I can see how others would find it annoying if that makes sense. "
— Joshua, 12/11/2013 -
" The setting is Denmark at the beginning of WWII and the shape of Danish resistance. The story is the relationship between a brother and sister, told from the sister's point of view. It is beautifully written, a great translation. The ending was a shock but it does tie to Siberia. "
— Jaci, 4/18/2013 -
" I guess it's really not fair for me to rate this book as I didn't finish it. His "Out Stealing Horses" is on my all time favorites list so I was disappointed I couldn't get into this.But oh how I wanted to like it!! "
— Elly, 4/17/2012 -
" i picked this book up in the airport last week. i liked it a bit, although i did feel it was sort of lacking- not sure if it was lost in translation or what, but i needed something more i think. "
— Nicki, 4/14/2012 -
" Beautifully written--I'm always amazed when a male writer can get inside the thought of a woman and make her such a strong, well-developed character. Story about a brother and sister set in Denmark just before, during, after WWII. Favorite thing: Brother calls his sister "sistermine"--lovely. "
— Dawn, 2/16/2012 -
" This book is a quick read and very good. There are parts that are a little confusing as it moves back and forth in time but overall a good book. "
— Sharon, 1/6/2012 -
" Boring and depressing--I really liked Out Stealing Horses, so this was a disappointment. "
— Diane, 12/2/2011 -
" So good! But I felt cold the whole time I was reading this book... "
— Jean, 9/6/2011 -
" Per Petterson is currently my favorite author. In spare, simple prose, he explores the depths of the human psyche, encouraging the reader to search for meaning, yet never preaching. Wait till college before you read this one, and then...dive in! "
— Zippy, 4/29/2011 -
" I liked "Out Stealing Horses" much better. "
— Catherine, 3/1/2011 -
" I found this just as straight forward and beautiful as Out Stealing Horses. "
— Llalan, 1/10/2011 -
" So good! But I felt cold the whole time I was reading this book... "
— Jean, 12/31/2010 -
" Beautiful prose and an engaging story. Petterson really made North Jutland come to life for me. My only criticism is that the last third of the book seems to be lacking something that I can't quite put my finger on. Regardless, I will immediately begin reading his other works. "
— Jenny, 12/20/2010 -
" there must be law that non-american authors have to write depressing books. everything is a frickin heartbreak on the other side of the pond. ah well, what can you do. "
— Dan, 12/9/2010 -
" Very atmospheric, beautiful prose, but I can see how others would find it annoying if that makes sense. "
— Joshua, 10/29/2010
About Per Petterson
Per Petterson is an internationally renowned Norwegian author. His breakthrough novel, Out Stealing Horses, was named a Best Book of 2007 by the New York Times and has been translated into more than thirty languages. He is also the author of In the Wake, I Curse the River of Time, and To Siberia.
About Stina Nielsen
Stina Nielsen is an actress and audiobook narrator. Her reading of Kevin Henke’s Junonia earned her a 2011 Best Voice from AudioFile magazine. She is the winner of three AudioFile Earphones Awards.