Leningrad: The People’s War
(Leningrad, Book 1)
By Rachel R. Heil
Leningrad, 1941.
As Europe crumbles under the German war machine, the people of the Soviet Union watch. There are whispers of war but not loud enough for the civilians of Leningrad to notice. Instead, they keep their heads down and try to avoid the ever-watching eyes of their own oppressive government.
University student Tatiana Ivankova tries to look ahead to the future after a family tragedy that characterizes life under the brutal regime. But, when the rumors that have been circulating the country become a terrifying reality, Tatiana realizes that the greatest fear may not be the enemy but what her fellow citizens are prepared to do to each other to survive.
As his men plow through the Russian countryside, Heinrich Nottebohm is told to follow orders and ask no questions, even if such commands go against his own principles. His superiors hold over him a past event that continues to destroy him with every day that passes. But, when given the opportunity to take an act of defiance, Heinrich will jump at the chance, ignoring what the end results could be.
Leningrad: The People’s War tells the harrowing beginning of a war that forever changed the landscape of a city, told through the eyes of both sides in a tale of courage, love, and sacrifice.
There seems to be no way in stopping the German war machine. It was to be expected that at some point Germany would march on the Soviet Union, and although when expectation becomes a reality there is an element of fear, the citizens of Leningrad cannot help but wonder if life under German rule would be better than life under Stalin - not that anyone would dare to say such a thing out loud. As The German army marches nearer the NKVD is once again causing terror on the streets and everyone is waiting for that knock on the door in the middle of the night. No one is safe, but if there was a way to guarantee your family's safety, then surely you would take it?
Tatiana Ivankova is the unlikely hero in this story. There is nothing about her that suggests she could be anything more than what she is. She is a young woman who is fulfilling her childhood dream by working in the library between studying. Her life seems to be going in the direction that she wants it to, but her pessimistic attitude hides some deep and painful scars, for not everyone in her family survived Stalins' ruthless purges. When there is a rumour that German forces are heading towards Leningrad the people of the city are asked to volunteer. Not wanting to draw the attention of the NKVD (secret police) Tatiana signs up for air-raid duties. But her "friendship" with the reporter, Josef Kransoff, meant that Tatiana's life will change irrevocably forever.
This story is a deeply haunting one, for it is about a young woman who is forced into the most imaginable of circumstances in her bid to keep her family safe. Tatiana is forced into a situation that she could never have imagined and certainly not one that she would have craved, and yet, there is no choice. To survive, she must pretend and she must become the person that the officials demand that she be. But, despite the danger, Tatiana will not allow herself to become brainwashed and soon she is playing a dangerous game of espionage.
This novel is incredibly fast-paced - it is certainly one that once started is near on impossible to put down. In fact, I stayed up reading it until three in the morning! It is that gripping! The characters came across as very real in the telling, and the author has depicted in detail what life was like living in Leningrad during the siege. The biggest threat to the civilians was not the advancing German army (although they were terrifying enough) but the Soviet officials. Like many people in this novel Tatiana and her family are stuck between a rock and a hard place, where there are no winners and the losers are dying of starvation in the street. I would highly recommend having a box of tissues with you as your read for there were many times when I found myself wiping tears from my eyes.
This novel was certainly one of the best books that I have read this year, and I am really looking forward to reading book 2 of what promises to be an unforgettable series.
This novel is available at the following bookstores:
Rachel R. Heil
Rachel R. Heil is a historical fiction writer who always dreamed of being an author. After years of dreaming, she finally decided to turn this dream into a reality with her first novel, and series, Behind the Darkened Glass. Rachel is an avid history fan, primarily focused on twentieth century history and particularly World War Two-era events. In addition to her love for history, Rachel loves following the British Royal Family and traveling the world, which only opens the door to learning more about a country's history. Rachel resides in Wisconsin.
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I am so glad you enjoyed Leningrad: The People’s War. Thank you so much for hosting today's tour stop.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Mary Anne
The Coffee Pot Book Club