Hello ,I am traveling this week for a family wedding in Ferndale, Washington and a talk about my book PURE GRIT at the library in Deming, WA.
In my absence, I offer you a book
recommendation. Two subscribers wrote me about this book in the last ten days, so I feel confident in suggesting it. I know it will not be an easy book to tackle, but it is definitely on my list now.
Symphony for the City of the Dead |
Symphony for the City of the Dead: Dmitri Shostakovich and the Siege of Leningrad by M.T. Anderson was longlisted for last year's National Book Award.
The publisher describes it: Trapped between the
Nazi invading force and the Soviet government itself was composer Dmitri Shostakovich, who would write a symphony that roused, rallied, eulogized, and commemorated his fellow citizens—the Leningrad Symphony, which came to occupy a surprising place of prominence in the eventual Allied victory.
Reviewer Marilyn Carpenter says: "It is a beautifully crafted book in all aspects - choice of paper, the use of red on each page, Table of
Contents, the primary source documents and photographs, Author’s Note....I especially appreciated how Anderson includes in his rich narrative, poems, song lyrics and photos of art that were part of the political scene.
Quinn, another subscriber who recommends the book said: "I was surprised--while reading it-- that it was listed as a young adult. I think it is an important story. I learned more about Stalin's
terror than I knew. And I learned about Shostakovitch. I bought all of his symphonies. Of course I wanted to hear the 7th as it is dedicated to Leningrad. Parts I do not understand and parts bring tears to my eyes." Author M.T. Anderson says writing the book opened his eyes to the Russian point-of-view.
"They talk not about the Second World War, but about the "Great Patriotic
War," and it starts for them not in 1939, but in 1941. Around half the total casualties in what we call WWII were Soviet citizens.
The death toll in the defense of Leningrad alone was higher than the number of all Americans who've died in all wars fought since the Revolution.
Seventy thousand Soviet cities, towns, and villages were wiped completely off the map. We need to understand the depth of that historic sacrifice if
we're ever going to understand modern Russia and its people."
I'll be in Whatcom County, WA, talking about the POW Nurses and their courage and survival. If you're in the neighborhood, I'd love to see you.
Monday, August 1, 2016
Deming Public Library, 5044 Mt Baker
Hwy
7pm
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Thanks for you time! Have you read a great book? Tell me about it. Have a burning question? Let me know. Until next week.... If you know someone who might enjoy my newsletter or books, please forward this e-mail. I will never
spam you or sell your email address, you can unsubscribe below anytime with a single mouse click. To find out more about my books, how I help students, teacher and librarians, visit my website at www.MaryCronkFarrell.com. My
best, Mary
Questions? Comments? Contact me at MaryCronkFarrell@gmail.com. Click here to subscribe to this newsletter. |
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