Russka: the Novel of Russia in Around the World

Feb 28, 2011 Suzanne rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

At long last, I can finally say I have read ALL of Edward Rutherfurd’s historical novels. Russka, was technically his second published novel, and it is a novel about Russia. As is typical of Rutherfurd historical fiction, we follow a couple of families from very early in the history of this area, in this case the book begins in the year 180 A.D. The author creates two fictional settlements, both named Russka, one of the south and one in the north. As the novel progresses, we see how the families ...more

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Aug 04, 2012 Joy rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: around-the-world-in-80-books

"Russia: where the plain is endless. Russia: where the east meets the west. Russia: the borderland." [p. 7] When picking up a historical novel on the history of Russia, I expected it be lengthy, weighty, and slow. And maybe parts of Edward Rutherfurd's 900-page Russka were just that, but I cannot say the same for the novel as a whole. True to form, Rutherfurd writes another fascinating story, intricately weaving together lives, places & events in a way that always leaves been amazed. This is my "Russia: where the plain is endless. Russia: where the east meets the west. Russia: the borderland." [p. 7] When picking up a historical novel on the history of Russia, I expected it be lengthy, weighty, and slow. And maybe parts of Edward Rutherfurd's 900-page Russka were just that, but I cannot say the same for the novel as a whole. True to form, Rutherfurd writes another fascinating story, intricately weaving together lives, places & events in a way that always leaves been amazed. This is my 5th Rutherfurd read, and I am much more aware of the formula to his writing, but I can't say it bothers me. Probably because I'm just in awe of his ability to capture an entire countries narrative through the simple lives of simple characters. That being said, Russka was different than I expected. Rutherfurd chose to set this novel in a small village, called Russka, which allowed me to experience how "real Russians" lived, and how the decisions from the reigning cities of Moscow & St. Petersburg, affected these nobles & peasants. In a video by Rutherfurd, he explains the eras of Russia he chose to focus on for the book - the early age of folklore, the Mongol invasion & Ivan the Terrible, and the cultural expansion with Peter the Great. All of these eras lead Russia rumbling to its eventual revolution in the early 1900's, and the dawning of the Soviet Empire.

I actually wasn't even going to read this one as my Russia book for the challenge, but after spending a few weeks in Latvia recently, I became very interested in the history of Russia, and knew that no one like Edward Rutherfurd could keep me interested in that topic! As usual, Rutherfurd is thorough & moving, but I was kinda surprised that he barely touched on World War I, and no mention of World War II at all in these characters lives. I would be curious to hear why he chose to omit these significant time periods. Is it because so much is already written? I did appreciate an epilogue of sorts, set 1992, which allows some characters to experience post-Soviet Russia, and the hopeful note on which it ended.So all in all, not my favorite of Rutherfurd's, but a great read nonetheless. ...more

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