One Night in Winter by Simon Sebag Montefiore is a gripping narrative set in Stalin's Russia, where the investigation of the shooting of two teenage schoolchildren quickly spirals into a paranoid search for conspirators aiming to overthrow the government. The book vividly portrays Stalin's system of fear and espionage, showcasing how children can turn against their parents and friends become foes, blending fictional and historical characters to paint a lively picture of the era.
Montefiore's writing style in One Night in Winter is captivating, delving into the complexities of Stalin's Russia with a mix of polished lies, whispered half-truths, deceit, desperation, and the power of love and humanity against the backdrop of a totalitarian regime. The plot unfolds with unimaginable brutality, yet manages to touch on themes of courage, love, art, and joy with delicacy, drawing readers into a world where every word and gesture can be misconstrued in a society ruled by absolute dictatorial power based on terror.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for One Night in Winter include themes of murder, political oppression, child endangerment, and psychological distress.
Has Romance?
There is a medium level of romance present in the book, intertwined with the main narrative of political intrigue and personal relationships.
From The Publisher:
Inspired by a true story, prize-winning historian and acclaimed novelist Simon Sebag Montefiore explores the consequences of forbidden love in this heartbreaking epic of marriage, childhood, danger, and betrayal that unfolds in Stalin's Moscow during the bleak days after World War II.
As Moscow celebrates the motherland's glorious victory over the Nazis, shots ring out on the crowded streets. On a nearby bridge, a teenage boy and girl-dressed in traditional nineteenth-century costumes-lie dead. But this is no ordinary tragedy, because these are no ordinary teenagers. As the son and daughter of high-ranking Soviet officials, they attend the most elite school in Moscow. Was it an accident, or murder? Is it a conspiracy against Stalin, or one of his own terrifying intrigues?
On Stalin's instructions, a ruthless investigation begins into what becomes known as the Children's Case. Youth across the city are arrested and forced to testify against their friends and their parents. As families are ripped apart, all kinds of secrets come spilling out. Trapped at the center of this witch-hunt are two pairs of illicit lovers, who learn that matters of the heart exact a terrible price. By turns a darkly sophisticated political thriller, a rich historical saga, and a deeply human love story, Montefiore's masterful novel powerfully portrays the terror and drama of Stalin's Russia.
What can you read after
One Night in Winter?
About the Author:
Simon Sebag Montefiore's prize-winning, bestselling novels are published in twenty-seven languages. Red Sky at Noon is the last of the acclaimed Moscow Trilogy, which includes Sashenka and One Night in Winter, which was long-listed for the Orwell Prize. Montefiore's nonfiction books include Jerusalem: The Biography, a #1 Holiday Book Pick on the TODAY show, Young Stalin, winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Biography, and most recently, The Romanovs, which was a New York Times bestseller. Visit him at www.simonsebagmontefiore.com or on twitter @simonmontefiore.
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