Symphony for the City of the Dead
Dmitri Shostakovich and the Siege of Leningrad
Ratings7
Average rating4.3
See my full review at The Emerald City Book Review. Finding the truth about the Soviet era is not easy, and Shostakovich's true thoughts and feelings are basically impossible to uncover, given his need to mask and conceal himself in order to survive. But Anderson brought clarity into a murky time while still allowing us to feel its painful ambiguity. I was not so enamored of the author's writing style, with its short, choppy sentences enlivened by the occasional hyperbolic statement or pop-culture reference. I'm not sure if this was meant as a gesture toward the book's intended audience, older teens and young adults, but I found it unfortunate and clumsy.
Still, I learned a tremendous amount about events of which I knew little and am even more impressed than ever by Shostakovich's ability to create under such circumstances. I also have to mention the stunning cover and excellent design overall. As with another new release from Candlewick that I enjoyed recently, The Hired Girl, the design is perfectly in tune with the contents, and I appreciate that attention to detail.
Took me forever to read because I had to take breaks from it. Feel the sheer density and intensity might turn away the intended audience, but that'd be a shame because it's so informative and interesting and well researched. The pictures truly add to the story. I've listened to some Shostakovich but now I'm intently listening with a new ear to the pieces Anderson talks about. Would be a great group read for a HS orchestra.
Just so fantastic. I learned so much about Shostakovich and Leningrad and Russia as a whole that I never knew. I have names of other people and things to learn about, and more of Shostakovich's music to listen to. Just so so good.
what?! what? holy shit WHAT?! this story is BANANAS and I had NO IDEA about any of it. M. T. Anderson is SO GOOD at contextualizing all of this and making every chapter of a biography of a composer end on a cliffhanger. I could not put this down. I learned so much! I feel sick at all the things I didn't know! I want to listen to classical music now!
I think it's probably one that's best for high school +, it's got some seriously grim shit in it. I think it's one that would probably have to be hand-sold... but for real! It's so great! I figured it would be great, because M.T. Anderson is so great and I had heard such good things about it, but, just to add my own 2 cents: so great!