Reviews for The madonnas of Leningrad

The average rating for The madonnas of Leningrad based on 2 reviews is 5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2008-10-24 00:00:00 Gaby Nunamaker Debra Dean - image from her Facebook pages This is a stunning novel. Marina is a woman in her 80’s about to attend her granddaughter’s wedding near her home in Seattle. Her mind is failing, however, and she is transported back to other times in her life, most particularly to the time when, as a young woman, she worked at the Hermitage. The joy she took in her work there was countered by the horror of remaining while Germans laid siege to Leningrad. It was the most intense period of her life, both horrifying and magical, and it is to this that she returns. The paintings were removed to preserve them from the invaders, but Marina memorizes as many as she can, constructing a “memory palace.” She escapes to her personal palace when pursued by the danger of incoming ordinance, cold, hunger, and, much later, age and dementia. Dean’s depiction of the horrors of a war-time Hermitage is chilling, yet beautiful. It is impressive that this is her first novel. It is a wonder, beautiful in its structure as well as in its imagery. This is a must read.

Review # 2 was written on 2009-01-22 00:00:00 Mm Ho I really didn't read this book. I was having some visual problems which made it impossible for me to read for a time. The Madonnas of Leningrad was our Book club choice for the month of January and it was not available in audio. I asked my sister Jane, who was staying with me for the holidays if she would read it for me and tell me about it. She loves to read and I thought she would enjoy it. A beautiful thing happened. My sister told me the story in such detail and with such emotion that the characters became real to me. She loved the book and so did I. During her story telling sessions we shed tears as she walked me through the scenes of Leningrad and the Hermitage Museum during the Nazi siege. Together we were so touched by the strength of the women in the story. My sister has gone through some difficult times recently and in her search for healing has been considering ways that she can be of service to her community in Alabama. As she finished telling the book to me by reading the last few pages aloud I was so moved. I said to her as she closed the book. "Jane, I think you have found your calling." She tilted her head and gave me a questioning look. "Doing what you've done for me, for the blind or the elderly", I said. Jane's eyes filled with tears as she said, "You're right, I have." The characters of this incredible story will stay with me and influence how I see and remember the beauty around me. My sisters charitable act of reading and telling this heroic saga will remain in my "memory palace" forever as well.