Interlinking stories set in Russia from the Stalinist purges to the Second Chechen War and beyond illuminate the human desire for connection with one another even in times that challenge our basic humanity. Marra repeats his feat of being a great Humanist novelist of contemporary Russia. ( )

If you have read Anthony Marra's first book, The Constellation of Vital Phenomena, you will already know that this follow up work will live up to its many superlative accolades. These nine vignettes are ingeniously woven into one extended story connected by people, geography, and art. Once again the setting is Russia and Chechnya during the Soviet purges and the wars waged (both political and personal) in the region. The author creates scenarios and people that are palpable, and his attention to the smallest details is uncanny. Art plays a central role in connecting characters over time. A pastoral painting, a snapshot of people on a beach, a mix tape all act as symbols of familial fidelity and betrayal , love realized and unrequited, promises kept and broken, hearts and bodies broken and mended. This is a work of a seasoned and finely honed writer coming from someone young and new to the craft. The Audible edition is voiced by a number of native narrators whose accents and pronunciation add much to the experience. ( )

Other people will enjoy this book more than I did. 🤷🏻‍♂️ The writing was too self conscious to have much emotional impact on me. ( )

Wow.. ( )

3.1/5 ( )