The Madonnas of Leningrad in Crazy Challenge Connection

Mar 30, 2010 Book Concierge rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, survival, book-club, library, art, strong-women, world-war-ii, women-writers, russia

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 4.5 stars - Excellent book about a woman's descent into Alzheimer's, that focuses on what she DOES remember - her life as an art curator at the Hermitage during the Seige of Leningrad.

Dean weaves a lovely portrait of a woman’s descent into Alzheimer’s and her “life” in a world no one else comprehends. At the same time, she informs us of the Seige of Leningrad and the heroic efforts of the staff of the Hermitage to save the priceless art works stored there.

Of course, I cannot help but think of ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Jan 29, 2010 Linda C rated it liked it

Lovely little book. Easy to read, but beautiful writing. I particularly liked the WWII flashback scenes, personally not as crazy (oops, was crazy an inappropriate choice?) about the modern day scenes with the senile Marina, but that's just me.

I don't read a lot of modern fiction because I don't think my life is that interesting, so why read about someone else's equally uninteresting life? ...more

Like · see review

Mar 16, 2020 Almeta rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: packing-heat, 2die4, revue, in-a-land-far-far-away, hissy-fic

I'l let you discover, for yourself, the horrors of war, the tragedy of Alzheimer's Disease, the disconnection of family members that are so very realistically depicted here.

but

The next time you visit an art museum, hold out for the next tour for which Marina is the docent. It is so obvious that she is passionate about each piece, that you won't have to strain over the heads of the tourists in front of you to visualize the artwork on the wall.
photo museem_zpst83aheg0.gif

...more

Like · see review

Sep 19, 2008 Rachel N. rated it really liked it

The details about the siege of ZLeningrad were interesting and I enjoyed all the descriptions of the art. The book was just really depressing in parts.

Like · see review