A Russian Requiem: A Novel

by Roland Merullo

Two weeks before the right-wing coup attempt that split the Soviet Union, two men--one American, one Soviet--struggle with the personal and political crises brought on by perestroika

Genres: Fiction

356 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1993

About the author

ROLAND MERULLO is an awarding-winning author of 24 books including 17 works of fiction: Breakfast with Buddha, a nominee for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, now in its 20th printing; The Talk-Funny Girl, a 2012 ALEX Award Winner and named a "Must Read" by the Massachusetts Library Association and the Massachusetts Center for the Book; Vatican Waltz named one of the Best Books of 2013 by Publishers Weekly; Lunch with Buddha selected as one of the Best Books of 2013 by Kirkus Reviews; Revere Beach Boulevard named one of the "Top 100 Essential Books of New England" by the Boston Globe; A Little Love Story chosen as one of "Ten Wonderful Romance Novels" by Good Housekeeping, Revere Beach Elegy winner of the Massachusetts Book Award for nonfiction, and Once Night Falls, selected as a "First Read" by Amazon Editors.

A former writer in residence at North Shore Community College and Miami Dade Colleges, and professor of Creative Writing at Bennington, Amherst and Lesley Colleges, Merullo has been a guest speaker at many literary events and venues and a faculty member at MFA programs and several writers’ conferences. His essays have appeared in numerous publications including the New York Times, Outside Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Newsweek, the Boston Globe, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Boston Magazine, Reader's Digest, Good Housekeeping, and the Chronicle of Higher Education. Merullo's books have been translated into Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, German, Chinese, Turkish, Bulgarian, Croatian, Slovenian, and Czech.

Reviews

[Rick Bayko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tough times in Russia during the early 1990s as it struggles, during the Gorbechev years, to find its way in a changing political landscape. And tough decisions for an American aid representative attempting to distribute American food to the needy while impressing the woman of his dreams.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful depiction of Russia in the 1990's.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were many unique and compelling aspects of this book which drew me in, and kept me reading to the end. However, the end detracted so much from the book's strengths that I came away frustrated and with a bad taste in my mouth. What I very much liked about this book was the premise: the intersection of the lives of two men from opposite ends of the earth, each struggling with universal dilemmas about courage, faith, country, hope, and family. I also loved the historical setting, and the subtle buildup of suspense throughout the novel, which was incredibly skilled and effective. I did not like the stereotypical and simplistic representation of "East Boston" and the cliche'd character of Marie. And I felt that, despite obviously good intentions, the author's decision to use sexual violence was opportunistic and didn't fit with the tone of the book. Clearly, some bad things were going to happen at the end, but I felt the author used Lydia as a plot device, rather than choosing to further develop her character, and figuring out a way for the story to come to a more integrated conclusion. In my mind, Lydia should have been the hero of the story, rather than the ultimate victim. I realize that what happened is probably realistic, but I don't think it had a place in this particular story, and I thought the author took the easy way out.

[Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a typical KGB/CIA thriller, but it is a thriller nonetheless. The characters are crisp, the plot is well paced. It is a good glimpse into life at the end of the Soviet era.