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Robert
I agree entirely with James. I read the book as a stand alone and was very captivated by it. After talking with some folks about the book. The charecters althou having the same name do have very different mannerisms when comparing the books. After Stalins death, Grossman was not afraid to feel free to be honest about the Stalinist State in Life and Fate. While in his previous books he felt pressured by the state underwhich he wrote his novels.
James Spencer
Since Robert and James answered this question, NYRB has published "For a Just Cause" under the title "Stalingrad." While I still agree that "Life and Fate" can be read on its own and in fact is a much better book than "Stalingrad," the back stories for dozens of characters are contained in the earlier book. I read them in chronological order and was glad I did.
James Fitzpatrick
I haven't read For a Just Cause myself, I'm not sure if it's been translated yet, but I found Life and Fate to be perfectly readable without having read For a Just Cause.
They are effectively separate entities, although I imagine that For a Just Cause would provide backstories for some of the major characters. From what I've read, For a Just Cause was very much a Social Realist novel and is much more conformist in tone and style than Life and Fate. Indeed, it is seemingly in Life and Fate that the characters become more than one dimensional vehicles for broadcasting Stalinist ideals, although that might be a bit harsh.
They are effectively separate entities, although I imagine that For a Just Cause would provide backstories for some of the major characters. From what I've read, For a Just Cause was very much a Social Realist novel and is much more conformist in tone and style than Life and Fate. Indeed, it is seemingly in Life and Fate that the characters become more than one dimensional vehicles for broadcasting Stalinist ideals, although that might be a bit harsh.
Négaar
I'm listening to the audiobook with David Tenant and Kenneth Branagh and it is just brilliant.
Utsab Nath
It was finally translated last year by Robert Chandler under the title, Stalingrad. I just finished Life and Fate. It absolutely stands on its own. Although, many of the characters such as Novikov, Shtrum etc. originate in Stalingrad. So, I am looking forward to get my hands on it as soon as the lockdown ends.
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