Big Books of 2026
Russka

Questions About Russka

by Edward Rutherfurd (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (2)

Has anyone else read this book?
Shawn Yes, I liked it. I was really into anything Russian for a few months and I picked it up then.
What I liked about it besides the subject was how it kind…moreYes, I liked it. I was really into anything Russian for a few months and I picked it up then.
What I liked about it besides the subject was how it kinda drew you into the characters so you cheered for the peasant guy who was trying to make it big by discovering ways to make money like through bees. The coolest thing was finding the work of the generations being reflected into the next generation, so you'd see the larger points of history develop and see a "liberal" main character have a child who turns extraordinarily conservative, you see the reaction to Peter the Great, Ivan the terrible.
It's historical fiction so it does make you want to check which parts are accurate and which aren't but it doesn't make a huge mystery out of it and you can mostly see which parts are true. I learned a lot that I didn't know happened during the feudal age.

I think if you're looking for something that gives you a wide perspective of what was happening throughout Russian history then you should pick up this book. It does some set-up throughout the start of the book that makes more sense why he did it later down the road, so it gets more interesting. (less)
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Are Rutherfurd's novels terribly derivative of the James Michener style? Just from the description, he seems like Michener 2.0.
Bettina I have read all but the #2 Dublin Saga and just received China in the mail.
I tried Michener once and lost interest, maybe writing style? So I cannot c…moreI have read all but the #2 Dublin Saga and just received China in the mail.
I tried Michener once and lost interest, maybe writing style? So I cannot compare. It was with Russka that I became hooked on Rutherfurds books and his style of following history with various characters.(less)
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