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The Madonnas of Leningrad
The Madonnas of Leningrad | Debra Dean
12 posts | 19 read | 20 to read
Bit by bit, the ravages of age are eroding Marina's grip on the everyday. An elderly Russian woman now living in America, she cannot hold on to fresh memoriesthe details of her grown children's lives, the approaching wedding of her grandchildyet her distant past is miraculously preserved in her mind's eye. Vivid images of her youth in war-torn Leningrad arise unbidden, carrying her back to the terrible fall of 1941, when she was a tour guide at the Hermitage Museum and the German army's approach signaled the beginning of what would be a long, torturous siege on the city. As the people braved starvation, bitter cold, and a relentless German onslaught, Marina joined other staff members in removing the museum's priceless masterpieces for safekeeping, leaving the frames hanging empty on the walls to symbolize the artworks' eventual return. As the Luftwaffe's bombs pounded the proud, stricken city, Marina built a personal Hermitage in her minda refuge that would stay buried deep within her, until she needed it once more. . . . Includes an excerpt from Debra Deans The Mirrored World.
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Maggie_Reads
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Mehso-so

I kept thinking something would be revealed or there would be a shocking end. Nope. It was a good story that built up then 💥 it was over with no real point of closure. I was disappointed and left hanging.

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Maggie_Reads
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This has been on my TBR shelf for a couple years after I bought it in our library used bookstore for $1. Finally pulled it off the shelf and started it.

14 likes1 stack add
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BookNerdMama
Mehso-so

There are many, many entry points for mystery, suspense, adventure, etc. And none of them are taken by the author. This is a book in which lots of delicious things *could* happen, but none ever *do* happen. It's more like the story is an undeveloped vehicle onto which an art dissertation is attached. There are also lots of odd things left completely unexplained. This could be an amazing book, but it just...isn't.

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Jeg
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Pickpick

Finished this yesterday on an unexpected sea day. Too rough to get into Gdańsk. In a couple of days we will be in St Petersburg and touring The Hermitage Museum. Found this book in an op shop. It has been an excellent read to get me in touch with what happened to the art works in WW2 . A thoughtful look at dementia also. At end there is an interesting section about the author and the book. @MrsMalaprop

LeeRHarry I read this just before I headed to St Petersburg in June! Hope you enjoy the city - it is beautiful 😊 5y
12 likes1 comment
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MirrorMask
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In the fall of 1941, Leningrad is under siege. Marina, a tour guide at the Hermitage Museum, is instructed to take down the museum's priceless artwork. That includes the Madonnas which she burns in her memory to create a safe Hermitage in her mind.

#LadyMadonna #HeyJune @Cinfhen @GypsyKat

GypsyKat 👏👏👏 7y
Cinfhen Have you read this one?? It looks good!! 7y
MirrorMask @Cinfhen I haven't, found it while searching for Lady Madonna 7y
Cinfhen I‘ll need to investigate further ~ thanks🤓 7y
58 likes1 stack add4 comments
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arlenefinnigan
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Cinfhen This one sounds good! Have you read it??? 7y
arlenefinnigan @Cinfhen no, another Goodreads search 😉 looks good though! 7y
38 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Mel
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Cinfhen Love the title but I couldn't get into the book. I ended up bailing☹️it was summertime and I don't do well with heavier topics in the summer. #ThatsMyStory 8y
RaimeyGallant That is a killer title. 8y
18 likes1 stack add2 comments
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readingallthetime
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Mehso-so

It was okay.

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Minimalgrl
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Ok library just let me know my book is available... Looking forward to reading then discussing with my bookclub ( and well yeah the wine too 🍷)

3 likes1 stack add
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readingallthetime

My friend Kiki recommended this book because I liked City of Thieves.

2 likes1 stack add