"Alexei Berg's father is a well-known dramatist, his mother a famous opera singer. But during Stalin's reign of terror in the 1930s they, like mill...
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Dec 05, 2011
Donna
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This is the story of a thwarted life told to a stranger on a train. And there's a fair amount of time to tell it. The train runs from Siberia to Moscow, but still, considerable compression is necessary. The book is short and the end is always near. I stared into space a good 15 minutes once it came. I had to get my bearings again.
This is a story that could have been mired in all kinds of sentimental cliché. The man was, after all, almost a concert pianist. And at least 2 moments occur in More...
This is a story that could have been mired in all kinds of sentimental cliché. The man was, after all, almost a concert pianist. And at least 2 moments occur in More...
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Nov 30, 2010
Jill
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Years ago, the celebrated Russian logician Alexander Zinoviev coined the sarcastic phrase Homo Sovieticus to explore how a new species with a specific mindset evolved as a result of the Communist system. In Andrei Makine’s exquisite and dreamlike 109-page novella, the reader learns about this new species through the person of Alexei Berg, a one-time brilliant young pianist.
Not unlike Coleridge’s The Ancient Mariner, he happens across the narrator who is enduring a transportation delay More...
Not unlike Coleridge’s The Ancient Mariner, he happens across the narrator who is enduring a transportation delay More...
Sep 05, 2011
Amandine
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Mon avis sur ce livre me semble difficile à rédiger, comme si je savais déjà que je ne garderai pas un souvenir marquant de celui-ci, pas plus que lors de ma première lecture dont je me rappelais à peine. Ce n’est pas qu’il soit déplaisant, ni même insignifiant, mais il ne s’imprime pas en moi et glisse, au contraire, comme un frôlement : agréable, mais éphémère et vite oublié. Sans pouvoir expliquer pourquoi, je me sens imperméable à cette œuvre.
La raison de mon incompréhension face More...
La raison de mon incompréhension face More...
Feb 19, 2012
Edwin
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Although it was a trying read because I anticipated disaster always close by, and yet paradoxically it seemed an easy read. I think this is because the language is so clear, the sentences so well crafted and the flow so fluid.
Trying nonetheless as the author seemed to be setting the reader up: ‘barbarism with a human face’, ‘vast breasts worn out by brutal caresses’, ‘in those days I counted myself the happiest man … he says with a bitter smile’. However I liked how the story devel More...
Trying nonetheless as the author seemed to be setting the reader up: ‘barbarism with a human face’, ‘vast breasts worn out by brutal caresses’, ‘in those days I counted myself the happiest man … he says with a bitter smile’. However I liked how the story devel More...
Aug 05, 2011
« Il a des doigts qui n’ont rien à voir avec ceux d’un musicien. De grosses phalanges rudes, couvertes de rides brunies. Ces doigts se déplacent sur le clavier sans appuyer, marquent des poses, s’animent, accélèrent leur course silencieuse, s’emportent dans une fuite fiévreuse, on entend le claquement des ongles sur le bois des touches. Soudain, au plus fort de ce vacarme muet, une main, ne se maîtrisant plus, s’abat sur le clavier, une gerbe de note fuse. Je vois que l’homme, amusé sans doute p
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May 01, 2010
Melinda
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This is really a treasure of a book. A musician is forced to assume the identity of a dead soldier in Russia during WWII to save his life. It's a tight, taut lyrical little novel that can be read in an afternoon. To say too much about it deprives the reader of the magic that awaits them, so I will just say this: read it. If you like historical fiction you will be enchanted by this lovely small treasure.
Oct 10, 2009
Brian
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I saw a description describing this book as a novella with the ambition of a novel. I think that is a perfect description, in a very good way. Makine is able to express an awful lot in a limited number of pages (in fact, he may explain the phrase Homo sovieticus better than any definition ever could), and the writing is exceptional. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more by this author.
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Oct 12, 2011
Kasa
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Beautiful, deceptively slim volume can be read in one sitting (recommended), holds so much story that it will be worth m;multiple readings. Stalinist Russia brought vividly hauntingly to life. This is the second identity theft novel taking place during the chaos of WWII that I have read within a short time, and found riveting. Stories within stories, layers and meanings. Highly recommended.
Dec 27, 2009
Nathan
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A short lyrical novel - snapshots of a man's life in Soviet Russia during World War Two and afterwards, as he gives up music and goes into hiding. In this translation, Makine's prose is beautiful and elegant. It is a novel that finds beautiful music in the horrors, disappointments and hopes of a difficult life.
Sep 09, 2010
Kristina
rated it: 
This book was just ok. The story could have been interesting, but it was much too short to really get very involved in the story. I kept finding myself wanting further descriptions and explanations where there were none which left the reader to simply guess at what exactly was happening in the story. The text was originally written in French and translated into English so perhaps some of the portions that didn't make complete sense were actually "lost in translation." Probably woul
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Jul 28, 2011
Some traits of the story reminded me of Colum McCann's Dancer as did a certain feeling of the book... But I don't think this book will have a lasting impression on me as Dancer did...
Aug 01, 2011
Julie at All Ears
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Alexei Berg comes from a family of artists. His mother is an opera singer, his father a dramatist and Alexei is a budding young pianist. Unfortunately, it is Russia in the 1930s, and on the eve of his first public concert, his family is detained for political reasons. Alexei escapes imprisonment and survives by impersonating a Russian soldier. This short novel is only a little over 100 pages, but each word is carefully chosen, describing a life of someone who has to choose between his love o
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May 26, 2011
Ginniep
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Pure poetry, the sense of the russian soul. It is a beautiful story, if you can read it as intended (in French) as the english translation misses some of the magic.
May 17, 2010
Dianne
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Brief, beautifully written, sad - read on the front porch of a tiny cabin on top of the world in the Smokies, so will always be memorable for that reason.
Nov 30, 2008
Another book judged for it's cover.
The cover is beautiful, will start the book today if time allows!
Aug 07, 2011
A beautifully told story, with no wasted words. Descriptions of landscape and people are deftly drawn. Highly recommended.
Dec 15, 2007
Molly
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Russian wartime literature historicized - its amazing what the filter of time can do to a genre. But this book isn't just unique and stunning because of the fact the writer is not of the same generation as Pasternak and Babel yet muses on the material with as much authority of experience. He also brings recollection and a magical element of imagination to this very tragic story.
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Dec 17, 2009
Jim
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This wee book captivated me. It has something of the Ingmar Bergman about it though I'd be hard pressed to qualify that remark. The blurb compares him to Chekhov, Proust and Nabokov but the flavour of the writing reminded me of Don Delillo's The Body Artist.
Oct 25, 2010
Oddrun
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This book was one of the best books i've read in a long while! A little book with a little story that tell the tale of a man's adult life. In 107 pages. Incredible. This is a must read book. Unbelievable!
Jan 29, 2012
Marybel
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I have never been to Russia but the pictures the author's words conjure up I feel as if I know the country,its people,its climate,its history.A beautiful book where cruelty exists but love and goodness survive.
Apr 21, 2010
Music of a Life - Andrei Makine (108 pg)
I really enjoyed this. I had read Dreams of My Russian Summers which is fine, but try this instead.
I really enjoyed this. I had read Dreams of My Russian Summers which is fine, but try this instead.
Feb 12, 2012
Feb 07, 2012
