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Critics' Opinion:
Readers' Opinion:
First Published:
May 2008, 272 pages
Paperback:
Apr 2009, 272 pages
Book Reviewed by:
Kim Kovacs
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City of Thieves reads like a novelized "buddy movie"
(think Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid or
Thelma and Louise). This odd couple is comprised of Lev
(small, dark, cowardly, morose, virginal and awkward) and
Kolya (tall, blonde, handsome, funny, brash, rakish and
confident), who together take what amounts to a war-time
"road trip." Like movies of the genre, the principals move
through scenes that are alternately tragic and exhilarating,
culminating in an exciting, action-packed finish as the
heroes realize their goal. It's hard not to like tales that
fall into this pattern, provided they're reasonably
well-done - and City of Thieves certainly is more
than well-done it's exceptional.
Benioff (who wrote the screenplay for The Kite Runner)
has a great ear for dialog - Koyla and Lev's banter, as well
as Kolya's lectures to Lev on life and women, illuminate
their likable personalities and provide the reader with an
amusing, welcome relief from some of their more gruesome
encounters.
Although engaging, City of Thieves does not contain
great emotional depths. Horrific events are reported - the
reader observes, but does not relate. In this, especially,
Benioff's background as a screenwriter is evident. Movies
are primarily visual affairs, and Benioff's writing focuses
on what is seen, not what is felt. Some writers manage to
convey everything about an experience down to the smells of
a place; Benioff's descriptions are more or less limited to
what's observable.
Having said that, the book's tone works very well with the
subject matter. Benioff expertly balances his tale, walking
a fine line between horror and humor. The Siege is a very
dark subject, yet we are not overwhelmed with the misery and
deprivation that the residents of Leningrad endured. There
is humor here, but it's very dark "gallows humor", which
strikes the reader as eminently appropriate in the
circumstances.
The Siege of Leningrad provides a captivating backdrop.
Although early-review copies of the book indicated that it
was
somewhat based on Benioff's grandfather's experience, it
appears that the work is entirely fictional*. However, it is
clear that Benioff has done his homework, incorporating
historically accurate elements throughout the novel -
although the basic premise does strain the reader's
credulity somewhat. It's hard to imagine two men who are
starving to death traipsing around a besieged countryside in
the middle of winter. In that respect, though, it honors the
time-worn tradition of the action-adventure movie; it
doesn't always make sense, but it's so much fun that you
don't really care.
In spite of its flaws, City of Thieves is one of the
most entertaining novels I have read in recent months. Its
fast pace and believable characters will appeal to a wide
range of readers, and it's an ideal choice for those looking
for a high-quality page-turner.
*In an interview shortly after publication, Benioff confirmed that the novel's first chapter is pure invention and that all four of his grandparents were born in the United States (you can read the interview at BookBrowse), which begs the question why, in the advanced review copies of the novel, he felt the need to thank his grandfather for his "patience with my late-night phone calls" about the blockade.
Saint Petersburg or Leningrad?
Saint Petersburg (map)
was founded by Tsar Peter I (Peter The Great) in 1703,
after he captured the land from the Norwegians during The
Great Northern War (fought over the Baltic region). Peter
moved his capital from Moscow to St Petersburg in 1712 and
it continued as the capital for most of the years up until
1918 when the capital moved back to Moscow. In 1914, it was
renamed Petrograd as Saint Petersburg was perceived as too
Germanic. Then in 1924, to honor the recently deceased
Soviet leader, it was named Leningrad. In 1991, the same day
that the Russians held their first presidential election, a
majority of voters in Leningrad voted to restore the city's
name to Saint Petersburg. Today, St Petersburg is the second
largest city in Russia and the northernmost city in the
world with a population of over 1 million.
This review was originally published in The BookBrowse Review in September 2008, and has been updated for the
April 2009 edition.
Click here to go to this issue.
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