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41st out of 154 books
—
33 voters
The Conductor
In June 1941, Nazi troops march on Leningrad and surround it. Hitler's plan is to shell, bomb, and starve the city into submission. Most of the cultural elite are evacuated early in the siege, but Dmitri Shostakovich, the most famous composer in Russia, stays on to defend his city, digging ditches and fire-watching. At night he composes a new work. But after Shostakovich a...more
303 pages
Published
May 6th 2011
by Random House New Zealand
(first published 2011)
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Set during the siege of Leningrad, Quigley's powerful and enthralling novel focuses on the character of Karl Eliasberg, the conductor who managed to assemble an audience of half-starved musicians from the city's desperate inhabitants and coax from them a performance of Shostakovich's newly-composed seventh symphony. This performance, broadcast on loudspeakers to defenders and assailants alike, would come to stand for the resilience of the Leningrad people under the most extreme privation.
Eliasbe...more
Eliasbe...more
My interest in Sarah Quigley’s fourth novel, The Conductor, was piqued when I read its description amongst the titles listed in the IMPAC longlist. It’s the story of how the 7th ‘Leningrad’ Symphony came to be composed by Shostakovich and then broadcast on August 9th 1942 by a raggle-taggle orchestra during the 900-day Siege of Leningrad in the Second World War.
It’s well-written historical fiction, shedding light on the interior lives of three main historical figures: composer Dmitri Shostakovic...more
It’s well-written historical fiction, shedding light on the interior lives of three main historical figures: composer Dmitri Shostakovic...more
This story takes place in Leningrad between the spring of 1941 and the summer of 1942 and is based on a true historical event. In the autumn of 1942 the Nazis began the siege of Leningrad as they attempted to starve and bomb the city into submission. The important musicians living in the city were evacuated by the Russian government, but Dimitri Shostakovich chose to stay and during this time he composed his Seventh Symphony, also known as the Leningrad Symphony.
In the summer of 1942 Russian off...more
In the summer of 1942 Russian off...more
Although Quigley's writing was eminently readable, and even contained moments of really quite nice writing, overall the book failed to have the impact that I think it was intended to have - or, at least, the one that I thought it would have. It was enjoyable, but ephemeral; I didn't particularly care when I reached the end, nor feel any emotion, positive or negative, for the characters.
Partially this may have to do with unmet expectations. The book takes place in the context of the German siege...more
Partially this may have to do with unmet expectations. The book takes place in the context of the German siege...more
As I write this I am listening to Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 7 in C major, aka The Leningrad Symphony. I listen as a fitting conclusion to this marvellous novel from Sarah Quigley.
Quigley's novel takes the composition and preparations for performance of the 7th as the backbone to the story which follows three men caught in the 1941 siege of Leningrad: composer Dmitri Shostakovich, 2nd string conductor Karl Eliasberg and musician Nikolai Nikolayev. Fact and fiction are seamlessly woven to...more
Quigley's novel takes the composition and preparations for performance of the 7th as the backbone to the story which follows three men caught in the 1941 siege of Leningrad: composer Dmitri Shostakovich, 2nd string conductor Karl Eliasberg and musician Nikolai Nikolayev. Fact and fiction are seamlessly woven to...more
This book really appealed to me as it covered a period of history I have read about widely and a subject I am passionate about, so I started with high expectations. Every one of them were realised. The characters were real and satisfying and their passion for the music shone through. It was well researched, authentic and I felt I was struggling through this terrible time in history with real people. It is not easy to include 'real' people in fiction, people like Shostakovich and Eliasberg and a...more
The human cost of war is a subject that has been expounded upon by many writers, but seldom do we read about the human face of historical events and the art that transcends them. Sarah Quigly has created a ficitionalisation of Shostakovich's endeavour to compose his seventh symphony amongst the devastation of Hitler's invasion of Leningrad with a sublime sense of realism.
Alexander Polinsky implores us to "be kind for everyone is fighting a great battle" and it is this assertion that draws us int...more
Alexander Polinsky implores us to "be kind for everyone is fighting a great battle" and it is this assertion that draws us int...more
Quigley's account of Shostakovich's life and times is rewarding, but a little puzzling. On the one hand her style of writing is colourful and attractive, and her characters appear vividly and convincingly. On the other hand there are irritating inaccuracies that give the lie to the rest; one can begin to wonder if her research is reliable. For example, a musician would not lean a cello up against a wall, but rather in a corner, to prevent it falling, and no earnest student would go out leaving i...more
Questo libro parla di una storia d'amore. Non l'amore carnale tra due persone, quello che fa battere forte il cuore e che ti fa volare le farfalle nello stomaco. Questo libro è una chiara e profonda dichiarazione d'amore alla musica, alla propria città, alla vita.
Tratta di uno dei periodi più duri e pesanti per la città di San Pietroburgo, quella dell'assedio, durante la Seconda Guerra Mondiale, che lasciò i suoi abitanti in completa balia della fame e della morte. Ma si parla anche della forza...more
Tratta di uno dei periodi più duri e pesanti per la città di San Pietroburgo, quella dell'assedio, durante la Seconda Guerra Mondiale, che lasciò i suoi abitanti in completa balia della fame e della morte. Ma si parla anche della forza...more
This book took a lot of getting into...initially I found it very hard to keep track of the characters, and the main character took quite a while to 'get to know'. But I persevered, and am very happy that I did. It was fascinating reading a story set on the Russian side of WWII, and while the siege of Leningrad was horrifying and tragic, I appreciated the sensitive approach to the story-telling and the convincing characters, whom I slowly came to know and love as the story developed. And I really...more
This story is set in Leningrad (cultual capital of Russia) as the Germans are advancing. I loved the chararterisation Quigley gives us - especially of the main character of the title - The Conductor of the lesser known and lesser thought of Radio Orchestra. Historically these events did happen and Shostakovich, the famous Russian composer, did stay in Leningrad and write his famous "Leningrad Symphony" but the attributes of the characters are the authors own invention. A wonderful read.
A stunning and beautifully written novel, which delves deep into the heart of Leningrad during what must have been their darkest period - the siege. This book is stark and beautiful, intermingling the tales of the different characters and bringing forth the bitter experience they all shared. It is evocative, bittersweet and overall a fantastic read. My only complaint is that the ending seemed rather abrupt and I did not want to lead the tale go.
A great read; considering its setting (the siege of Leningrad) its focus is not on the conduct of the war, but on the human price of the war, especially on the musicians of the city's orchestras as civilization in the city starts to collapse, and they eventually perform Shostakovcths' 7th symphony. An interesting take on a brilliant composer and more nuanced view of life in the USSR under Stalin.
The writing style is a little odd; predominately short chapters (3-4 pages) which is a little annoyin...more
The writing style is a little odd; predominately short chapters (3-4 pages) which is a little annoyin...more
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. On the one hand, it's an evocative description of what it must have been like to live through one terrible part of WWII, the siege of Leningrad. In this, the book succeeds.
On the other hand, it's also an attempt to describe the more ephemeral process of creating and performing a work of art, the 7th symphony of Shostakovich, under those terrible conditions. In this, the book is less successful, perhaps because this is where the facts (the well-documented...more
On the other hand, it's also an attempt to describe the more ephemeral process of creating and performing a work of art, the 7th symphony of Shostakovich, under those terrible conditions. In this, the book is less successful, perhaps because this is where the facts (the well-documented...more
Reading anything about the siege of Leningrad is both fascinating and horrifying at the same time. How anyone survived those conditions much less managed to write a symphony is beyond me. It was an interesting perspective to consider one of the "great composers" as human with insecurities and domestic issues rather than just a "name" attached to music.
I was thrilled to find the book had a CD of the symphony included.
I was thrilled to find the book had a CD of the symphony included.
I had high expectations of this book based on reviews and was not disappointed. The visuals (virtual) of WWII Russia were as realistic as I have encountered. The demise of the Leningrad (perhaps Russia as well) was counterbalanced by the building up of Shostakovich's symphony. I have never read such an account of WWII from a Russian perspective - most of the books I have read have taken a European perspective. This may reflect my narrow reading, but nevertheless makes this book intriguing. And h...more
A fascinating book about musicians in Leningrad before and during the siege. There are three key characters - Shostakovich, Karl Eliasberg the conductor, and Nikolai someone a violinist, and a number of other characters, each nicely drawn, distinct, interesting. It's a story of friendship, bravery, stubbornness, dedication, obsession, loss, and hope. I,be read before about the siege of Leningrad - this is a new take on it, and one I enjoyed very much. Now I'm off to listen to Shostakovich's Leni...more
I've caught a few episodes of the audio reading of the book on the radio this week http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/pro... and have really enjoyed re-living the book.
Was very fascinated by this book. Descriptions about the era was very convincing and at times, extremely touching. Gained a real insight into the events behind the Leningrad Symphony
A story of amazing courage during what must have been a horrific time in Leningrad in WW2.
Unfortunately I found the writing was rather dry and stilted and didn't manage to fully evoke the true nature and emotions of that period.
Unfortunately I found the writing was rather dry and stilted and didn't manage to fully evoke the true nature and emotions of that period.
I liked the development of the main character and how the siege changed him. Sarah takes you to the time and place which is unbelievable!
I just couldn't get into this book. It's very 'hard-core' as such, the plot-line is quite serious. Although I had the musical connection, with Shostakovich being one of my all-time favourite composers, this book just wasn't for me.
Excellent - and well worth listening to the Shostakovich's Leningrad Symphony after reading - even if you are not a classical music fan.
Loved this, a totally different perspective of the Leningrad siege. Really interesting and wonderfully written.
Interesting look into a city I knew little about.
Wonderful writing that put me right into Leningrad during the seige.
Awesome - so atmospheric, and beautifully written
Lovely characterisation and an amazing (based on real life) story. I found it hard to put down in the end.
Very enjoyable and interesting read.
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There is more than one author with this name
Born in New Zealand, Sarah Quigley is a novelist and non-fiction writer. She has a D.Phil. from the University of Oxford. Her work has been widely published and she has received several high-profile awards.
She has published several novels, two collections of short fiction and poetry, and a creative writing manual. Her new novel, The Conductor, tells the...more
More about Sarah Quigley...
Born in New Zealand, Sarah Quigley is a novelist and non-fiction writer. She has a D.Phil. from the University of Oxford. Her work has been widely published and she has received several high-profile awards.
She has published several novels, two collections of short fiction and poetry, and a creative writing manual. Her new novel, The Conductor, tells the...more
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Mar 23, 2013 05:24am