Symphony for the City of the Dead: Dmitri Shostakovich and the Siege of Leningrad

Questions About Symphony for the City of the Dead: Dmitri Shostakovich and the Siege of Leningrad

by M.T. Anderson

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Symphony for the City of the Dead, please sign up.

Answered Questions (5)

Has anyone experienced this as an audiobook? I see the audiobook is available in the UK, but not the US yet. What do they do about all the photographs that so enrich the text of the print version?

Jimmy Winokur I listened, and enjoyed both the book and the narration. With audiobooks about music, I often wish some music was included to hear what's being discus…moreI listened, and enjoyed both the book and the narration. With audiobooks about music, I often wish some music was included to hear what's being discussed. There, there were fleeting snippets -- too short to convey anything, really. I don't know what photos you reference -- but I found myself vividly visualizing much that happened. I guess I would have liked to see photos of the Leningrad perfomance of the Symphony, an amazing feat under all the terrioble circunmstances.(less)

Is there a reading guide for this book ? My 10 year old loves this book

Jimmy Winokur Amazing that a 10 year old would read, comprehend and enjoy this. I am impressed!

Does this book follow one main character, many or even just pure information?

Jimmy Winokur Mainly just Shostakovich

Is this book written in first-person narrative? (I understand that it is a narrative nonfiction book.) So very excited to read this!!!

Leigh No, it is written in third person.

Is this book fiction or non-fiction? I've seen it both ways.

Joan It is nonfiction.

Unanswered Questions (4)

This is more than a young readers account of this horrendous event. It is a riveting and completely engaging detailed account of the context of Shostakovich's creative productivity and challenges during his beloved country's darkest times. Anderson illuminates the circumstances surrounding Stalinist era muddling and counter productive maneuvering to avoid conflict with Hitler's Nazi empire building. ?

I really enjoyed this book and I feel that there are multiple themes to this amazing piece of literature. What are some of the most powerful themes?

what reading level?

Has anyone had any parental objections to this book when teaching it in high school?

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions