Scan barcode
A review by diziet
The Silver Bone by Andrey Kurkov
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I really wanted to like this book. The historical setting is new to me. Ukraine/Kyiv - the Russian Civil War - occupation by Bolsheviks/Red Army/Chinese People's Liberation Army. Narration is good.
In the beginning the historical setting, details and characters are interesting. But then it just looses steam. Characters stop developing and getting new layers. Historical context is not provided. Mystery is boring and does not really make any sense…and since it is a crime/mystery novel this bit is important.
I would have liked book more if focus had been held on the historical novel angle and telling story about how people survived during civil war and a radically different political rule. The relationship between Russians and Ukrainians - and occupying soldiers, the poor, middle- professional and upper classes.
At the end of the book there is a 'Select Chronology of Ukrainian History 1917-21'. Would have been much better as a short historical essay. Nobody cares about a list of years.
In the beginning the historical setting, details and characters are interesting. But then it just looses steam. Characters stop developing and getting new layers. Historical context is not provided. Mystery is boring and does not really make any sense…and since it is a crime/mystery novel this bit is important.
I would have liked book more if focus had been held on the historical novel angle and telling story about how people survived during civil war and a radically different political rule. The relationship between Russians and Ukrainians - and occupying soldiers, the poor, middle- professional and upper classes.
At the end of the book there is a 'Select Chronology of Ukrainian History 1917-21'. Would have been much better as a short historical essay. Nobody cares about a list of years.