Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
Against a Crimson Sky: A Novel
by
James Conroyd Martin (Goodreads Author)
The continuation of the sweeping story of young Countess Anna Maria, introduced in the epic PUSH NOT THE RIVER, as Poland picks up the pieces and joins forces with Napoleon in an attempt to bring down Russia.
AGAINSTA CRIMSON SKY tells the interrelated stories of four characters in the aftermath of the violent dissolution of Poland in 1794 and culminates in the doomed 1812...more
AGAINSTA CRIMSON SKY tells the interrelated stories of four characters in the aftermath of the violent dissolution of Poland in 1794 and culminates in the doomed 1812...more
ebook, 384 pages
Published
April 1st 2007
by Thomas Dunne Books
(first published August 8th 2006)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
860)
As a sequel to “Push Not the River,” this book continues the story of the Polish Countess Anna Maria Berezowska. The author began writing about her after discovering her unpublished diary, which recounted her experiences as a 17-year-old orphan who falls in love with her handsome neighbor Jan Stelnicki, but is brutally raped and married off before their love can be realized. Behind her misfortune is none other than her cousin Zofia, and “Push Not the River” follows Anna up until the Russian army...more
This is the sequel to Push Not the River which is a novel based on the diaries of a woman who lived through tumultuous years of civil war and foreign invasion in Poland. This sequel, however, is not based on the diaries but is the author’s continuation based on his knowledge of the characters and his studies of the era. Because of this, the book lacked a lot of the authenticity that the first one has which, for me, definitely dampened its appeal. It also lacked a really compelling plot, it seeme...more
Jun 26, 2007
Cheryl Lachapelle
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
yes
Follow up to Push Not The River. I am of Polish descent so the story is interesting to me. I also love historical novels so I enjoy that part of the novel too.
Dec 30, 2009
Shyla
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorites,
historical-fic
I was really excited to read this next chapter in Anna's story. And it was mostly not a dispipointment. I say mostly only becuase of two main reasons. The first is that I knew it was not based on her diary or any factual accounts as was the first book. And secondly the book was too far sweeping as far as the time line went. It covered too much time and I felt the author dragged Anna's story out just so that he could include key points in history. Other then that the book was very well written, I...more
I just loved these two books! The first book was based one a journal, diary, and the second on the authors imagination. So obviously the first is more historically accurate about people's lives; however, I feel the author did a beautiful job continuing there lives as they would probably have unfolded. And he added a lot more war sciences most likely to keep in the theme of the original book of a historical novel. For those who don't like the war stuff it is easy to skim...wonderful book, tastefu...more
This is the sequel to "Push Not The River," which was excellent. It is not worth reading. Pretend it doesn't exist. The startling difference may lie in the fact that the first novel was based on historic fact, in the form of the heroine's actual diary, translated by one of her descendants; whereas, this was written by the author's own story-telling abilities, which are virtually nonexistent.
This was the second book to "Push Not the River." This was not the better of the two - it was not based on a real diary (like the first) but the author took the characters from the first and wrote what he think they would do during the Napoleonic Era. All in all - a good series, but the second book went too deep into the politics of the era and pulled away from the actual characters.
Sequel following family in Poland. Not as good as the first but did have its moments. Fascinating backdrop an informative about the times transporting the past to the present.
Favorite quote: It was a kiss that transported her to an autumn meadow long ago in Halicz, a kiss that would carry her forward all of her days.
Favorite quote: It was a kiss that transported her to an autumn meadow long ago in Halicz, a kiss that would carry her forward all of her days.
I just liked this book. The characters from the beginning, Push Not the River, got my attention and I immediately decided I would read this sequel. Though not as engaging as the first book, this one did seem to wrap up the story line which was nice, so as not to leave me wondering what happened next, but it also went into great detail of Napoleon and his war efforts to secure all of Europe as his empire. Though small in stature, Napoleon could convince thousands to march to his dreams and eventu...more
'Push Not the River' was James Conroyd Martin's first book about Countess Anna Maria Berezowska. Which was based on Anna's own personal diary.
In 'Against a Crimson Sky' Martin creates for the reader a fictional continuation of Anna Maria's story from his own imagination.
I was not as satisfied with this story, I was disappointed to learn that this book was entirely fictional, which I failed to realize until I had already started reading it.
I'm glad I read it but this was not as moving as Push...more
In 'Against a Crimson Sky' Martin creates for the reader a fictional continuation of Anna Maria's story from his own imagination.
I was not as satisfied with this story, I was disappointed to learn that this book was entirely fictional, which I failed to realize until I had already started reading it.
I'm glad I read it but this was not as moving as Push...more
view all 7 comments
The sequel to Push Not the River is not based on solid fact, unlike the first. The author did a great job extending the characters' lives without any actual information (this one is much more fiction than historical). I like this book, but the first one was much better.
Mar 29, 2010
Stacy
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
beware-of-language-and-or-sex,
favorites
I liked it even better than the ist one because it didn't have the sordid details of Zofia's sex life. It wasn't all smiles but I felt like it was realistic for the time period. I felt like the ending was karmic for Zofia but I still felt bad for her.
Okay so it wasn't exactly as good as PNTR but it was decent and kept me reading. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author, wether it is about Anna Maria Beresowski or not.
I didn't like this as well as Push Not The River in part, I'm sure, because this wasn't based on anything, whereas the first was based on two diaries. Still, it was enjoyable for the most part and a quick read. My mind wandered during all of the battle scenes. This book takes place during Napoleon's wars, and traces the lives of the characters over a time span of twenty years. I felt that much of the plot was a bit far fetched but entertaining; predictable at times, whereas the real stories in t...more
I liked Push Not the River a little more, but this was also very good. A little slower getting started, but an interesting blend of historical and fictional characters.
This was the much anticipated follow up to Push Not the River and it really did tie up all the loose ends form the first book. I also highly recommend this one!
Sequel to Push Not The River and as wonderful. If you enjoy the historical romance novel of England's rich history, this will satisfy equally. Very highly recommended.
i REALLY wanted to love this book - PUSH NOT THE RIVER is one of my favorite books so i had high expectations for this one. i was left wanting so much more.
This book moves one through so many emotions for the characters who faces love, hardship and loss. It leaves one ready for the next chapter
Too much war information. Liked the continuation of Push Not the River - but didn't think I would get that much information about Napolean
Pretty good sequel; I enjoyed it more than the first novel. The book follows Anna's family through Napoleon's war.
Not as good as the first one. Not based on the actual diary like the first one was.
the follow up to Push not the River and just as good
not a bad sequel to Push not the River
I really enjoyed Push Not The River, which was based upon a diary and true events. I was hoping the follow up book would be just as good. I was sorely disappointed. The story isn't based upon any true events, and the author spends too much time (in my opinion) rehashing the war events. I lost interest about half way through and I put it back on my book shelf with out finishing it, this isn't common for me, I usually finish reading a book, even if it isn't my favorite.
Poles join Napoleon winter march to moscow
I liked push not the river better, but it was nice to have Anna's story gain some closure. I thought that the path the characters took in this story seemed believable. They had to withstand many hardships. It was a story of every kind of love: True love, lust love, unrequited love, convenient love, love for power, love for friend, and parental love. And how this love changes us and makes life worth living for.
Really liked this sequel to "Push Not the River" - I thought the first one was somewhat better just knowing it was based on a diary.
I did enjoy this second book, however I must say I liked Push Not The River a little better. It was a tad too heavy on the specifics regarding the strategic war efforts of Napoleon. I do appreciate the history lesson but the first book integrated it better for me personally than the second. Still, a very good read.
Jan 20, 2011
Mieczyslaw Kasprzyk
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
central-european-setting
I enjoyed the book but, as with it's predecessor, I felt the characters were a little too good to be true. The storyline was simple and a little far-fetched in parts (the secret society just doesn't ring true - though I'm not saying it isn't). This would probably make a good movie where we don't really need depth of character, just action.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodreads Feedback: changing a book photo | 7 | 147 | Dec 24, 2012 03:12pm |
James Conroyd Martin is the author of Push Not the River, a novel based on the diary of Anna Berezowska, a Polish countess who lived through the rise and fall of the Third of May Constitution. After working on the project for some years without raising interest within the publishing community, Martin self-published in 2001. Just one year later, St. Martin’s Press purchased the book and released a...more
More about James Conroyd Martin...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
