Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Jan 2012
384 pages
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publication Information
BookBrowse Review
"I had high hopes for The Little Russian, both because of the subject and because I love debut novels but, sadly, while the author clearly wishes to invite us into the story and for us to feel emotionally invested, the detached tone of the novel's voice counters the reader's ability to feel a connection. Consequently I found that I was not invested in the characters or the events they were experiencing." - Jennifer Dawson Oakes
Other Reviews
"An impressive fiction debut with an epic tale of war's transformative effects on one Russian woman and her family." - Publishers Weekly
"Starred Review. [An] impressive debut... Sherman's sweeping saga works on multiple levels, from its grim depiction of war's depredations to its harsh portrayals of anti-Semitism to its fiery love story. A mesmerizing read." - Booklist
"Starred Review. Extraordinary... Berta is a fascinating mix of petty vanity, devoted parenting, and breathtaking courage, fleshed out with cinematic detail that's both irresistible and spectacularly illuminating. All fiction readers will enjoy." - Library Journal
"Well-written and researched, but emotionally unengaging and probably not to the taste of those who like their historical fiction more reassuring." - Kirkus Reviews
"Powerful, harrowing and richly atmospheric... The Little Russian provides an astonishing look at life for many Russian Jews throughout this time in history. It's a captivating read told through a voice we won't soon forget." - Ilie Ruby, author of The Language of Trees
"Moving and smart, The Little Russian is a sweeping tale of survival, loss, love, loyalty, family, religion, racism, and war. Susan Sherman masterfully blends history into fiction, delivering a self-assured, elegant debut." - Victoria Patterson, author of This Vacant Paradise
"If Margaret Mitchell and Isaac Bashevis Singer had a baby, it would be The Little Russian. It's impossible not to be deeply impressed by this sweeping portrait of Russia during the pogroms, but it is even more impossible not to be moved by this fiery and deeply human love story. A moving and brilliantly researched debut, I just loved it." - Sheri Holman, author of The Dress Lodger
This information about The Little Russian was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
I started out as a ceramic artist, working in clay, doing narrative pieces that told a story. I was quite successful in a small way, showing my work in different cities, teaching, running the art gallery at Whittier College and eventually becoming an assistant professor of art and, for one year, the chair of the department. Then one day I had a life changing revelation: It's easier to tell stories with words. Wow! No more mud; just a computer and Word. No more lugging hundreds of pounds of clay around and staying up until dawn watching the kilns. Since then I have been a struggling would-be author, a successful T.V. writer/producer (co-created That's So Raven for Disney) and finally the author of The Little Russian. (Visit her online at www.susanshermanauthor.com).
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