Good story line but....
I appreciate the story that the author was presenting and the language. The difficulties of living in a "Post" communist Russia and the depictions of the characters based on other fiction and non-fiction I have read ring true. At first I found the switching between characters disconcerting and it took me to page 76 with Azade to get hooked. The people living in the apartments are a motley bunch and I empathize with their lot in life. I liked the book but would recommend it only to folks that can grasp the presentation of the message of escapism from life's difficulties. In terms of style and magical realism it reminded of "The Convalescent" by Jessica Anthony which I liked very much.
Rated of 5
by Jan B. (Driggs, ID)
Russian Dreambook of Color & Flight
Here is a story of a group of folks who are neighbors in a derelict apartment building in Russia. In this depressed part of the world, truth is considered too depressing, so it is changed. Life is not even decent enough for indoor plumbing, or even paychecks to happen despite hours of work. A museum of replicas, an odd juxtaposition of icons to deformed foetuses, plays a central part in this story, as several of the characters "work" there.
The characters are incredible! I loved how the author created these people who must live in their heads, and in their dreams because of the depravity of their real lives. When one of the characters dies from a leap from the roof, and comes back as a ghost we fall into the world of magical realism. What he brings is backstory, love from the harshest of places, and the truth.
The writing is wonderful. Her characters are full of instinct and survival. I loved these people who live in such a dark place, yet with a bit of magic and lots of character from them the story soars above their harrowing part in the world.
When I finished reading, I immediately picked it up to re-read again.
Rated of 5
by Lisa E. (Cincinnati, OH)
Engaging but Unsatisfying
Gina Ochsner has created several engaging characters in this book set in post-Soviet Russia--Olga, the translator still pining for her lost husband; Tanya, the young woman who writes beautifully about color but is unbearably lonely; and Azade, whose husband died but won't leave her alone. We come to care about all of the characters, but the ending--pat but yet unbelievable at the same time--is deeply unsatisfying.
Rated of 5
by Lori J. (Nutter Fort, WV)
Entertaining Dreambook was entertaining to read. I am not very familiar with Russian culture, but a relative recently spent 3 months in Moscow, and his views of the Russian population's collective psyche were mirrored in the book. Recommended reading.
Rated of 5
by Kathy S. (DeForest, WI)
Russian Learning
The story was extremely interesting, but my favorite thing with this book was what I learned about the Russian culture. We are very blessed here in the U.S. and we often forget that.
Rated of 5
by Heather K. (Brooklyn, NY)
Surprisingly ... dismal. Also odoriferous.
I wanted to be swept away by this novel. A Russian author, a book of dreams, flight, and color! Sounded irresistible. But Russian Dreambook is a bleak read, thoroughly imbued with desperation; it's littered with dashed dreams, violence, and really objectionable odors. The author presents the reader with a string of irritating, disagreeable, violent, selfish, and/or weak characters. Tanya is the only bright star, and even she twinkles only faintly. The most interesting characters are the most annoying (I so wanted to slap Zoya, and yet I felt sorry for her). Frankly I felt sorry for all the characters, they were all so miserable. And I give the author credit -- she has amazing descriptive powers when it comes to stench. Even the ghost smells dreadful! This is just a disappointing read, and definitely not an author I'd recommend.
Rated of 5
by Nancy L. (Denver, NC)
Russia - Depressing
What a miserable life this book's characters live. I found the only redeeming things about this book were excellent wording and the idea that we are more than rich compared to these poor people. I can't imagine living like they live - working for no pay; living in atrocious conditions; not even toilet paper! And a lot of the book was about what toilet paper is needed for...
I didn't see any point in the descriptions of filthy living - beatings, bodily functions, etc. In fact, I felt as if the author were on drugs while writing the book.
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