Books matching: eastern europe settings
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- #1
Save:'The Historian' by Elizabeth Kostova is a novel that weaves together the legend of Dracula with a multi-generational story of a man and his daughter on a quest to find their missing wife and mother. The book offers a mix of thriller and historical fiction, delving into medieval history, Vlad the Impaler's life, and Cold War Europe. The narrative spans across different locations in Southern Europe, the Balkans, and Turkey, providing a rich and detailed travelogue that keeps the reader engaged.
The writing style of 'The Historian' is described as meticulous and descriptive, evoking a strong sense of atmosphere and setting, particularly in its detailed descriptions of places and historical events. The novel involves multiple narrators and points of view, adding complexity to the story and creating a sense of suspense and mystery. Despite some slow parts and occasional challenges with suspension of disbelief, the book offers a unique take on the vampire genre, blending elements of history, folklore, and literary fiction.
In 1972 I was sixteen—young, my father said, to be traveling with him on his diplomatic missions. He preferred to know that I was sitting attentively in class at the International School of Amsterdam;... - #2
Save:"Spinning Silver" by Naomi Novik is a reimagined fairy tale based on Rumpelstiltskin, following the story of three young women from different backgrounds who find strength and agency in challenging circumstances. Miryem, the daughter of a moneylender, discovers her ability to turn silver into gold and attracts the attention of the powerful Staryk king. Alongside Wanda, a poor girl seeking to escape her abusive father, and Irina, the daughter of a duke caught in a political scheme, the women's lives intertwine as they navigate magic, danger, and self-discovery. The narrative seamlessly weaves between the perspectives of these characters, showcasing Novik's talent for intricate world-building and character development.
The real story is, the miller’s daughter with her long golden hair wants to catch a lord, a prince, a rich man’s son, so she goes to the moneylender and borrows for a ring and a necklace and decks her... - #3
Save:The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden is a fantasy novel set in medieval Russia, where the protagonist Vasya can see spirits and is caught between the world of Christianity and the old gods. The story follows Vasya's journey as she navigates the magical and mysterious woods, facing challenges related to family, courage, love, and magic, all while defying traditional gender roles.
The book is written in a lyrical and fairy tale-like style, drawing heavily on Russian folklore and mythology. It explores themes of resilience, tradition, family, and the clash between old and new worlds, creating an atmospheric winter setting that captivates readers with its intricate and layered storytelling.
It was late winter in northern Rus’, the air sullen with wet that was neither rain nor snow. The brilliant February landscape had given way to the dreary gray of March, and the household of Pyotr Vlad... - #4
Save:"Uprooted" by Naomi Novik is a fantasy novel set in a world where a wizard known as The Dragon takes a young girl every ten years to live with him and protect the area from the dangers of the nearby Wood. The protagonist, Agnieszka, unexpectedly chosen instead of her best friend, discovers her own magical abilities and becomes an apprentice to The Dragon. As they work together to combat the threats from the Wood, Agnieszka navigates themes of magic, friendship, self-discovery, and love in a richly imagined world filled with folklore elements and moral ambiguity.
The book is praised for its beautiful and descriptive prose, creating a vivid and realistic world for readers to immerse themselves in. The story unfolds slowly, subverting expectations and revealing surprising twists that keep readers engaged until the very satisfying end. The character development, particularly of Agnieszka, is highlighted as she embodies girl power, bravery, and independence, becoming her own hero in the face of challenges and mysteries presented by the magical world she inhabits.
Our Dragon doesn’t eat the girls he takes, no matter what stories they tell outside our valley. We hear them sometimes, from travelers passing through. They talk as though we were doing human sacrific... - #5
Save:'Deathless' by Catherynne M. Valente is a novel that intricately weaves together Russian folklore with the historical backdrop of pre and post-revolutionary Russia. The story follows Marya Morevna, the human bride of Koshchei the Deathless, as she navigates a world filled with magical elements such as firebirds, Baba Yaga, and house spirits, all set against the grim realities of the Soviet era. Valente's writing style is described as seductive, mesmerizing, and poetic, drawing readers into a dark and enchanting narrative that delves into themes of love, power, and the duality of life and death.
In a city by the sea which was once called St. Petersburg, then Petrograd, then Leningrad, then, much later, St. Petersburg again, there stood a long, thin house on a long, thin street. By a long, thi... - #6
Save:The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid is a dark and immersive fantasy novel that intertwines Slavic and Jewish mythology. The story follows Evike, a pagan woman who forms an unlikely alliance with her enemy, Gaspar, as they navigate through danger, intrigue, and self-discovery. Set in a world filled with folklore, magic, and monstrous creatures, the book explores themes of abuse, sacrifice, and the clash between faith and history.
The writing style in The Wolf and the Woodsman is described as lyrical and captivating, painting a vivid picture of a world infused with rich details and deep cultural influences. The story delves into dark and unflinching themes, incorporating elements of Hungarian history and mythology to create a heart-wrenching narrative that explores the complexities of identity and the consequences of cultural persecution.
The girls who are skilled forgers fashion little iron stakes to drive through the roots of the trees and into the earth, anchoring them in place. With no gift for forging between the two of us, Boróka... - #7
Save:"Hell Train" by Christopher Fowler is a tribute to the old-school pulp horror genre, specifically the British Hammer movies of the 1950s and 1960s. The story involves a screenwriter, Shane Carter, tasked with creating a script for a horror movie involving a train for the struggling Hammer Studio. As the narrative unfolds, the readers are taken on a journey aboard the mysterious Arkangel train racing across Eastern Europe, filled with zombie passengers, nightmare creatures, and characters facing their own trials and weaknesses in a bid to avoid eternal damnation. cleverly intertwines multiple storylines, blending elements of horror, mystery, and nostalgia for classic horror films of the past.
- #8
Save:'Salt to the Sea' by Ruta Sepetys is a gripping historical fiction novel set during World War II, focusing on the little-known tragedy of the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff. The story follows the journeys of four main characters - Emilia, Florian, Joana, and Alfred - as they navigate the dangers of war and come together as refugees fleeing the Soviet advance. The narrative is presented through short chapters from the perspectives of these characters, providing a multi-dimensional view of their struggles and the events leading up to the maritime disaster.
The novel expertly weaves together the individual stories of the characters, highlighting their fears, hopes, and secrets amidst the backdrop of wartime Europe. The alternating viewpoints offer a comprehensive portrayal of the harrowing experiences faced by refugees during WWII, culminating in the tragic sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff which becomes a focal point of the narrative, shedding light on a lesser-known historical event.
I shook my head. No, it didn’t hurt. I was half-deaf but I wasn’t numb. The nurse’s face was inches from mine. Her mouth was close and her breath was in my ear. I closed my eyes, fighting like hell to... - #9
Save:'Alicia' by Alicia Appleman-Jurman is a compelling autobiography that recounts the harrowing experiences of a young Jewish girl during World War II. The book delves into Alicia's journey of survival, resilience, and courage as she navigates through the atrocities of the Holocaust, including living in ghettos, hiding from the Nazis, and ultimately joining the Zionist Underground Railroad to smuggle Jews into Palestine. Through vivid storytelling, Alicia shares her personal story of loss, survival, and hope, shedding light on the suffering and persecution faced by Jewish people during and after the war.
In 1938, there were eighteen thousand Jewish people in our Polish city of Buczacz, nearly one-third of the total population. Some of the more orthodox Jews wore the classic black frock coats and fur h... - #10
Save:"The Polish Officer" follows the journey of Captain Alexander de Milja, a Polish military officer turned spy during World War II. Set against the backdrop of the German invasion of Poland, the book takes readers through de Milja's experiences as he navigates dangerous assignments, espionage, and resistance activities in various European locations such as Paris, Ukraine, and Poland. The narrative paints a vivid picture of life under occupation and captures the atmosphere of the era through Furst's unique storytelling style, which jumps between different stages in de Milja's espionage career.
Furst's writing style in "The Polish Officer" is characterized by vivid characterizations, atmospheric vignettes, and a blend of historical fiction with spy thriller elements. Through de Milja's escapades, readers are immersed in a world of espionage, danger, and the moral complexities faced by individuals caught in the turmoil of war. The book offers a rich understanding of the time and place of World War II without overwhelming readers with excessive details, making it a compelling read for those interested in historical fiction beyond traditional thrillers.
IN POLAND, ON the night of 11 September 1939, Wehrmacht scout and commando units—elements of Kuechler’s Third Army Corps—moved silently around the defenses of Novy Dvor, crossed the Vistula over the p...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Night Soldiers )
