Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
The Revolution of Marina M.
The Revolution of Marina M. | Janet Fitch
From the mega-bestselling author of White Oleander and Paint It Black, a sweeping historical saga of the Russian Revolution, as seen through the eyes of one young woman St. Petersburg, New Year's Day, 1916: Marina Makarova is as old as the century. A young woman of privilege, she writes poetry, dreams of a dashing young officer, and aches to break out of the constraints of her genteel life. But this life is about to be violently upended by the vast forces of history. Swept up on these tides, Marina will join the marches for workers' rights, fall in love with a radical young poet, spy for the Bolsheviks, and betray everything she holds dear, before being betrayed in turn. As her country goes through almost unimaginable upheaval, Marina's own coming of age unfolds, marked by deep passion and devastating loss, great brutality and unexpected redemption, and the private heroism of an ordinary woman living through extraordinary times. Written in lush, powerful prose by a master storyteller, The Revolution of Marina M. is a publishing event: the epic, mesmerizing story of one indomitable woman's journey through some of the most dramatic events of the last century.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
camscampbell
post image
Pickpick

I just finished my third read of this wonderful novel. It follows a young female poet in Petersburg from 1916 right through the Revolution. She's the daughter of a liberal bourgeois family but she supports the Bolsheviks and splits from her family. It puts the reader right there at the heart of the revolution as Marina navigates this historical moment. There's love, there's heartbreak, there's poetry.

quote
rather_be_reading
post image

I ventured to Walmart and I stumbled upon this!

The.Great.Catsby Find anything good?!? 4y
rather_be_reading @The.Great.Catsby there were a few things but i ended up talking myself out of them 4y
63 likes2 comments
review
BookNerdMama
Mehso-so

This book is...strange. It's boring and meandering, but interesting. This is the best review I've found for it; it's spot on: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/books/sc-books...

KarouBlue Wow! Im only about 250pgs in, but I totally agree w that article! 5y
1 like1 comment
blurb
Alicepondpoe
post image

A comfy blanket and a good book.
I never finished cover crush, I wouldn't know where my head was if it wasn't attached.
Fall has me feeling sullen and moody. The holidays pass by too quickly, I never feel as if I can enjoy them properly. Also, I need a book on how to make friends as an adult. I'm too much of a hermit these days.

15 likes1 stack add
review
cariashley
post image
Pickpick

Such a long book is hard to rate. The writing is excellent and immerses the reader wholly into Marina‘s experience of the Russian Revolution. Some horrific things happen to her, and the early jaunty, youthful tone of the book belies the dangers ahead. Not sure how quickly I‘ll be picking up the equally long sequel but this was a worthwhile read overall. And another book down from my @strandbookstore fiction subscription backlog!

AlaMich I love that cover! 5y
cariashley @AlaMich isn‘t it gorgeous? It‘s a really beautiful book. 5y
55 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
cariashley
post image

Trying to finish this behemoth of a book in my happy place 🍷🍇 #vineyardreads

Tanisha_A Oh wow! What a place to read at! 😍 5y
SamanthaMarie I agree with @Tanisha_A 😍 5y
BarbaraBB Gorgeous 🍷 5y
54 likes3 comments
review
kricheal
post image
Pickpick

Highly recommend the audio with this one, it's long but worthwhile. It's roughly 30 hours long, and takes place in the build up to the Russian revolution and the following years. #42 #2019

BookNerdMama Totally agree. Excellent narrator (which can make or break an audiobook no matter how good the prose is on the page). 5y
65 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
cariashley
post image

#SullivanCat is making it really challenging to keep reading this book. #catsoflitsy #KAL

Karisa That expression! Maybe thinking, "This is an intervention." 5y
Texreader ❤️😻 5y
cariashley @Karisa yup. An intervention so I can feed/pet him! 5y
See All 6 Comments
Nute Awesome photo!😺💜 5y
cariashley @Nute thanks 😺 5y
47 likes6 comments
blurb
cariashley
post image

Sunday morning with coffee and this absolute chunkster. It‘s good so far, just soooo long.

cariashley I just noticed my own foot at the bottom, oops!! 😜🦶 (edited) 5y
48 likes1 comment
blurb
kricheal
post image

Starting this next on #overdrive #currentlylistening

74 likes1 stack add
blurb
Margriet
post image

I picked this book up at the library where it was on the 'new in' table. And oh my dear is this an intense, deep, profound read! I'm only on page 342/800 but it's beautiful. You should take your time though and take it all in, the scenes, the events, the characters, the beautiful writing. I could go on! Most definitely would recommend!

2 likes2 stack adds
blurb
CocoReads
post image

Spent a tiny bit of Christmas cash last night while out with my daughters. Books and socks-what more does anyone need?

tammysue Love these! 😊 6y
57 likes1 comment
review
GirlWellRead
Panpan

The beginning was the best part, and then...it's like Fitch had to include every single detail and every bit of research and it's not necessary. Is she looking for validation for her years of work? The story then just becomes a linear piece of writing which begs the question, should this have not been a historical fiction book but rather an actual book on the Russian Revolution? I think so.

review
khakimoose
Mehso-so

So glad to have finally finished this!! Way too long and way too much detail. Great story overall, a bit confusing at times with what was going on and so many characters. Not sure why I didn't like Marina, maybe because I thought she put herself in bad situations bc she didn't think things through. Realized when I finished, this was only Book I and presumably more will follow... might have to read the Cliff Notes for those!

quote
khakimoose
post image

"I used to think I knew what people should do, that I had a good sense of right and wrong. But since I'd been out here with Kolya, I saw the true tragedy--that everyone was right from his own point of view, everyone was suffering and needy." - Marina

review
Manoshgirl51
post image
Pickpick

Janet Fitch is my favorite author, so when I found out her newest novel was coming out I had to preorder. Her first foray into historical fiction is a real page-turner. I found myself not wanting to put this book down. I fell in love with Marina and her journey as a wealthy society girl to being a starving poet. Eagerly awaiting part two :)

review
LisaAnnGallagher
Panpan

Man, I hate giving up on a book. Especially one written by an author I‘ve really enjoyed before.

2 likes1 stack add
review
Expandingbookshelf
post image
Pickpick

It‘s a special book that‘s 800 pages long and you‘re STILL excited for the sequel. “The Revolution of Marina M” was beautifully written and compelling. I didn‘t love it (had some issues with the pacing and a protagonist that was basically only reactive and also I didn‘t realize there was a sequel so I was very confused when the book just...ended) but I still really enjoyed it and am excited to find out what happens to Marina next!

blurb
Lauren.Archer
post image

Going to try this bad boy next...800 pages (am I crazy?).

Moray_Reads I've had my eye on this for a while. Looking forward to your thoughts! 7y
ApoptyGina69 Picked this up very recently. Doubt i will get to it before the fall, but looking forward to it! 7y
101 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
Mamashep
post image
Mehso-so

This one‘s been a struggle. There‘s just so much going on. I‘ve learned a lot about the Russian revolution but I really had a hard time caring for the characters.

khakimoose So glad I'm not alone on this... I read a book/part, and take a break by reading a few books in between. The good parts are good, but the slow parts are SUPER slow... I think I have 2 or 3 books/parts left... 7y
Mamashep @khakimoose don‘t you just feel like it could have been 100+ pages shorter and been much tighter and better? 7y
khakimoose @Mamashep YES!!! I still have 3 more books in it to finish. If I win a book I use needing to finish the win asap as an excuse to take a breather. In fact, I just finished "Ready Player One" (bc of the movie) which is kind of a long read, but it seemed like a novella compared to this one. I do really like the revolution book overall, I just feel like there is a lot of unnecessary ramblings causing it to be a SLOW read! 7y
20 likes3 comments
review
Suet624
post image
Mehso-so

It‘s possible that with some time I‘ll have a better opinion of this book. I appreciated the Russian Revolution history lesson very much. However, I never connected with the main character. The writing was quite good but 800 pages of an unsympathetic character was wearing. For what it‘s worth, I have a feeling that if I had read this when I was younger I would have loved it.

review
EmHoldman
Pickpick

Epic story of revolutionary Russia told through POV of upper class teenage girl still open to alternative ideas on how the world should work. It‘s not perfect. Every meaningful male character seems to lust after her in sometimes unbelievable ways. But the day-to-day approach to a volatile time in Russian history is compelling. Audible narrator for this is great, too.

blurb
Suet624
post image

Up next. 800 pages. I guess it‘ll keep me busy for awhile. Russian Revolution. A poet. Sure, why not.

Cinfhen So curious about this book...#pagecountphobia but I LOVED 7y
Suet624 @Cinfhen I know what you mean. There will also be a sequel. Usually I prefer stand alone books. But we‘ll see how it goes. 😁 7y
UrsulaMonarch Interesting! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this! 7y
See All 6 Comments
Suet624 @Cinfhen @UrsulaMonarch I‘m going to write a review but I wanted to check back in with you. If you have concerns about the page count, I wouldn‘t tackle this one. It felt longer than 800 pages. I read white oleander years ago and loved it too but I had some issues with this one. (edited) 7y
Cinfhen Thanks so much @Suet624 I may have to skip this one🙄 7y
UrsulaMonarch @Suet624 thanks!!! Very good to know 😊 7y
58 likes1 stack add6 comments
quote
EmHoldman

God save us from the people who believe in things. You‘re the ones who will get us all killed.

blurb
HardcoverHearts
post image

This is a doorstop of a novel but so far it‘s so very good. It‘s the story of an idealistic young Russian woman who gets swept up in the romantic notions of revolution. The characters are wonderful and I am finding it compelling and heartbreaking.

37 likes5 stack adds
quote
EmHoldman

“I was not too young to have had a past,” I thought to myself with a certain pride. That‘s how young I was.

RaimeyGallant Ha, nice quote. :) Welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you're interested. :) 7y
4 likes1 comment
review
SassenachTheBookWizard
post image
Pickpick

My thoughts on The Revolution of Marina M!

https://youtu.be/SuqHpCfiLTQ

#booktube

Rachellynnwright Just subscribed to your channel :) I‘m looking forward to watching your videos! 7y
Notmacaroniandcheese I just subscribed as well! You seem like such a cool person. I can‘t wait to watch more of your videos! :) 7y
Jensam Just subscibed too :) Also enjoying your videos. 7y
See All 6 Comments
Jensam Subcribed lol 7y
Buddys_Momma I just watched your review of this book and now can‘t wait to read it! I own it but have not yet read it. Great review 😁💜💜 7y
SassenachTheBookWizard @Buddys_Momma oh yeah! Thanks. I hope you enjoy it! 7y
77 likes6 comments
blurb
Christine11
post image

1. I LOVE bears so I have a lot of bear related art and this is one of them ! 🐻
2. I‘m starting a book reviewing blog which I‘m pretty nervous about and trying a reading challenge 😊
3. Nope
4. Starry night sky 🌌
5. The Revolution of Marina M. By Janet Fitch !
#HumpDayPost @MinDea 💕

41 likes1 stack add
review
SassenachTheBookWizard
post image
Pickpick

This was such an interesting read and after 800 pages I am still really eager to read the sequel! This is a really good book for anyone wanting to learn about all the absolute chaos of Russia/Soviet Union of the 1900s. If you enjoy this time and place already though, it's still an enjoyable read. It's crazy how much changed from day to day! Marina is so fascinating and not some pure virginal priviledged girl. So much happens!

WarpedSweetness I won this book from Goodreads! I can't wait to read it. 7y
tif Bye Bye Li'l Sebastian
Miss you in the saddest fashion
Bye Bye Li'l Sebastian
You‘re 5000 candles in the wind 😂😂😂
7y
SassenachTheBookWizard @tif RIP Sebastien 🤣 7y
See All 7 Comments
Cinfhen What?!? 800 pages!!! #bigbookmonitor @minkyb #pagecountphobia but a very much #anticipatedRead (edited) 7y
SassenachTheBookWizard @Cinfhen and it's going to have a sequel too! 😱😱😱 7y
Cinfhen Wow!!! I really liked her other book so I'm gonna give this new one a chance! Did u read 7y
SassenachTheBookWizard @Cinfhen book! I had never even heard of the author bit I am definitely going to check that one out. A few people have mentioned it to me this week 7y
110 likes14 stack adds7 comments
review
Twocougs
post image
Pickpick

It‘s been a while since I read a big book (800pages). Worth a read. But, finished and I still need answers

cathysaid Gah!! Don't you hate that? I always want resolution. Doesn't have to be a nice or pretty resolution, but I want to know. 7y
50 likes1 comment
blurb
SassenachTheBookWizard
post image

Starting 2018 with this beast!

Carolyn11215 Sounds interesting! I remember really liking White Oleander. Haven‘t read anything of hers since then. 7y
SassenachTheBookWizard @Carolyn11215 this is my first book by her! 7y
Christine11 I can‘t wait to read this one ! 7y
PerksOfBeingABookworm Love the Parks and Rec FunkoPops! 7y
mhillis This story sounds amazing! 7y
99 likes7 stack adds5 comments
blurb
Christine11
post image

1. The Revolution of Marina M. By Janet Fitch
2. Force of Nature by Jane Harper
3. The Hearts Invisible Furies by John Boyne
4. Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
5. The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
#2018reads @CharissaWeaksAuthor

CharissaWeaksAuthor I'm going to have to add The Rev of Marina M! Seeing it on lots of lists! Great choices ❤️And thanks for sharing 😀 7y
Christine11 @CharissaWeaksAuthor It looks great ! And the cover I saw of it looks lovely too ! Thanks for starting this ! 💕 7y
Miss_Kim I finished The Revolution Of Marina M earlier this week and thought it was stunning! Some parts were almost too painful to read and absorb but overall the story balanced pain with joy. Can‘t wait for part 2! 7y
See All 6 Comments
Christine11 @Miss_Kim I‘m so glad you liked it ! That makes me even more excited to read it ! I find Russia so fascinating! 😊 7y
monalyisha I just read “White Oleander” for the first time this year. I loved it so much! Definitely one of the best I read in 2017. Looking forward to “The Revolution of Marina M”! (edited) 7y
Christine11 @monalyisha I‘m glad you liked it 😊I‘ve seen the film version of White Oleander but I‘ve never read the book - I‘m reading it as part of a challenge next year though so I can remedy that soon ! The Revolution of Marina M. sounds so interesting 💕 7y
34 likes1 stack add6 comments
blurb
Twocougs
post image

#thebookhookup @strandbookstore I ❤️ getting my feminist and literary fiction book hookups!! Lucky me

RebelReader I just bought Marina M today! It will need to wait until 2018, but I got such a good deal on it I couldn't resist! 😉 7y
LeahBergen I love the socks 😍 7y
41 likes2 comments
quote
Miss_Kim
post image

“Think of how the earth turns from dark to light to dark to light. If it was stopped, even by the triumph of the light, the world would end.” (Pg 704)

RebelReader I so want this book!! 7y
RebelReader I so want this book! 7y
Miss_Kim It‘s a brilliant but at times very disturbing story. Sometimes I had to put it down and walk away. I‘m nearly finished and it‘s been worth the time and energy. Truly an unforgettable read. 7y
Sydsavvy I ❤️❤️❤️❤️ this book! 7y
74 likes2 stack adds4 comments
review
BacklistB__ch
post image
Pickpick

I‘m only 300 pages in, but I‘m loving it.

Update: I‘ve finished and it was wonderful. Fitch does an excellent job portraying the Bolshevik Revolution.... However..... I am VERY upset that I did not know this is the first of two books! I need to know when I‘m entering into multiple books!

quote
Miss_Kim
post image

“One attracts others with mystery,” she said, “not by turning one‘s pockets inside out.”

I think this will turn out to be my favourite book of all time. The thought that Janet is writing a second book about Marina gives me goosebumps!
Why is there no image available for this beautiful cover??

youneverarrived Love that quote. 7y
Christine11 Can‘t wait to read this! It looks great 👍 7y
48 likes3 stack adds2 comments
blurb
SaraBeagle
post image

Looking forward to diving into this one! I am loving the cover too

Nute I hope this is good, because I bought it and now I'm finding out that many folks were disappointed. I like forming my own opinion, because we know that books speak to folks on their own terms. I absolutely adored her previous novel, 7y
SaraBeagle I loved Oleander too and was so disappointed with her second one. It‘s definitely different and I went in with some skepticism. I‘ll be curious to know what you think about it. 7y
19 likes4 stack adds2 comments
blurb
Penny_LiteraryHoarders
post image

It was Scratch Savings Day at our Campus Bookstore for staff. I got 15% off (wished it was 25% though!) so I took advantage and bought the chunky (and expensive) Revolution Of Marina M. (CDN book prices are stupid) I already own Manhattan Beach as an ebook so this was a total impulse buy!

mrozzz 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 7y
47 likes1 comment
blurb
Sydsavvy
post image

Loving my new bookmark and totally into this book. Nothing like a revolution springing its banks, while a somewhat pampered poetess and the men and women in her life try to navigate the flood waters. "She believed she could so she did❣️"

charl08 Where's it from? It's lovely. 7y
Sydsavvy @charl08 I hate to confess but Amazon. I can't seem to find them elsewhere these days. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 7y
60 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
Bookchipmunk
post image

Book Haul: Getting ready for the upcoming long weekend. Winnie was born ready! 🤓🐶#DogsofLitsy

ScorpioBookDreams Gorgeous dog! 😍 7y
Tanzy13 🐶 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Oh Winnie!!! Too cute!!! 🐶❤️ 7y
See All 7 Comments
MrBook Love this pic!!! 😻😻😻 7y
jbhops Is Winnie a frenchie? Her ears look too rounded to be a Boston.... But she looks so much like my dogs in this pic! 😊😍 7y
Bookchipmunk @jbhops Yes a 11 year old Frenchie rescue from FBRN. 🐶 7y
jbhops Awesome. We got our girls from a Boston rescue! 7y
44 likes7 comments
blurb
Jenna02

Just started the book. Hoping it‘s good!❤️

swishandflick Welcome to Litsy! 🎉 7y
3 likes1 comment
blurb
Sydsavvy
post image
Soubhiville Lovely cover! 7y
Sydsavvy @Soubhiville it is a gorgeous book! 7y
50 likes2 stack adds2 comments
blurb
Skeebies05
post image

Just arrived at my office! #bookmailisthebestmail

Simona Ooooo .... envy.... 7y
16 likes1 comment
blurb
WarpedSweetness
post image

Woot woot!! Another Goodreads win! I can't wait to read this.

Smangela Woohoo congratulations! 7y
mcipher Congrats!! That‘s so fun. 😊 7y
Gezemice Congrats! 7y
50 likes4 comments
blurb
PegStar
post image

I was first on the list at the library for this book that just came out😃! Here is a short Booktube video I made talking about it https://youtu.be/yKWdCbRejDs
Happy Reading Weekend everyone🍁

Aleida I loved White Oleander. Please let us know how you like this one. Great video! 7y
PegStar Thanks so much...I need to go back and read White Oleander too! #aleida 7y
30 likes2 comments
review
bookshopsc
post image
Pickpick

To grow up in the midst of a violent revolution, especially with the soul of a poet, is to be forever marked. Marina comes from a well-off Russian family. Her life is also poised on the edge of the Russian Revolution. This is a story of passion, betrayal, and revolt. I was utterly drawn in by Marina‘s story and read it on the edge of my seat. - Ivy

59 likes9 stack adds
blurb
Lacythebookworm
post image

Came home from a 3-hour meeting (😱after work) to book mail!

92 likes1 stack add