Wolgakinder

The story of an unimposing German teacher and the community of German settlers around him that live along the Volga river in the south of Russia. In the foreground it's Bach's (River!) story, his love for the pure Klara, their tragedy, and his attempt to withdraw from society to keep his daughter safe. In the background it's the story of what happened to the Germans settlers - whose ancestors had been recruited as immigrants to Russia in the 18th century - during the tumultuous years between the first and second world war. They become the pawns in a tug of war between Germany and Russia. Folded into the politics is a narrative of fairy tales, in Bach's writing and in Jachina's too. I didn't love this as much as [b:Zuleikha 46805466 Zuleikha Guzel Yakhina https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1563391528l/46805466.SY75.jpg 45340370], even though the writing is amazing. Bach just was a harder character to root for, as he never felt heroic nor especially likeable.