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City of Thieves

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In 'City of Thieves' by David Benioff, the story unfolds during the siege of Leningrad in World War II, following Lev and Kolya, two unlikely companions tasked with finding a dozen eggs in a starving city to secure their freedom. The book blends humor, adventure, and tragedy as the characters navigate the harsh realities of war and the desperate conditions of the besieged city, providing a poignant and gripping narrative that keeps readers engaged till the end.

The book is praised for its vivid portrayal of the characters, the setting, and the historical context of the siege of Leningrad, offering a unique blend of humor, heart-wrenching moments, and realistic depictions of wartime struggles. The writing style is lauded for its fast pace, engaging plot twists, and the dynamic relationship between Lev and Kolya, creating a compelling and memorable story that resonates with readers.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, showcasing a profound friendship that grows through their shared experiences.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is dynamic and cinematic, effectively blending humor with the harsh realities of wartime.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around two unlikely companions charged with an impossible task of securing a dozen eggs during a brutal siege, exploring themes of friendship and survival.

Setting:

The setting of wartime Leningrad is crucial, providing a haunting yet palpable backdrop that shapes the characters' experiences.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk and engaging, keeping the reader captivated from beginning to end without unnecessary lulls.
You have never been so hungry; you have never been so cold. When we slept, if we slept, we dreamed of the feasts we had carelessly eaten seven months earlier—all that buttered bread, the potato dumpli...

Notes:

The novel is set during the Siege of Leningrad in World War II, a period marked by extreme conditions and starvation.
It follows 17-year-old Lev and soldier Kolya, who are tasked with finding a dozen eggs for a wedding cake to avoid execution.
Lev is a Jewish boy, struggling with his identity and seeking approval.
Kolya is portrayed as confident, outgoing, and focused on chasing women, contrasting with Lev's introverted nature.
The story is based on the author's grandfather's experiences but embellished for narrative purposes.
The novel skillfully mixes humor and the brutal realities of war, showcasing both the absurdity and tragedy of their situation.
Characters face moral dilemmas and extreme situations, including encounters with cannibals and partisans.
The narrative highlights themes of friendship, survival, and the will to live amidst horror and deprivation.
The book has been praised for its cinematic quality, making it feel like a movie in written form.
The humor, albeit dark, adds a levity that balances the sorrowful tone of the novel.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for the book include themes of graphic violence, starvation, cannibalism, and intense wartime situations, which may be distressing for some readers.

Has Romance?

While City of Thieves is not primarily a romance novel, it contains elements of romantic tension, particularly with the character of Vika, contributing to a medium level of romance intertwined with the plot.

From The Publisher:

From the critically acclaimed author of The 25th Hour and When the Nines Roll Over and co-creator of the HBO series Game of Thrones, a captivating novel about war, courage, survival - and a remarkable friendship that ripples across a lifetime.

During the Nazis' brutal siege of Leningrad, Lev Beniov is arrested for looting and thrown into the same cell as a handsome deserter named Kolya. Instead of being executed, Lev and Kolya are given a shot at saving their own lives by complying with an outrageous directive: secure a dozen eggs for a powerful Soviet colonel to use in his daughter's wedding cake. In a city cut off from all supplies and suffering unbelievable deprivation, Lev and Kolya embark on a hunt through the dire lawlessness of Leningrad and behind enemy lines to find the impossible.

By turns insightful and funny, thrilling and terrifying, the New York Times bestseller City of Thieves is a gripping, cinematic World War II adventure and an intimate coming-of-age story with an utterly contemporary feel for how boys become men.

Ratings (50)

Incredible (14)
Loved It (26)
Liked It (9)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (127):

Read It (52)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (59)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (14)

About the Author:

David Benioff was born and raised in New York City. He adapted his first novel, The 25th Hour, into the feature film directed by Spike Lee. With many other screenplays to his credit, he is also the writer of the…

 
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