is fiction more powerful than fact?

[Jana]

Montefiore's attempt at creating a plausable fictional figure from the thousands of archived stories about life during Stalin's purges. I am not sure whether it trully delivered the impact it set out to do.

[Michele]

I liked Sashenka very much, but it took me two attempts to get into the story. The second time I was hooked. I have a strong interest in 20th century Russian history, but I prefer a good story woven in, and Sashenka was that. Montefiore is well-versed in Soviet history, and I want to read The Court of the Red Tsar, his non-fiction work about Stalin and his henchmen.