April 3, 2013 update on the progress of the film (and our thoughts) here.
Hello Everyone! Our first book review and what a book to kick us off! I realize there is so much to discuss regarding this book, so to keep things semi organized, I have brought our list of questions. Once we have answered those, we can move onto other questions you may have (which I hope you do!) and jump from topic to topic.
Here are some pictures to enjoy and bring this story more to life.
This is the statue of The Bronze Horseman that sits inside the city of St. Petersburg, as a monument to Peter the Great. As Paullina mentions in the book, the statue was surrounded by sand bags to protect it during the 900 day siege of Leningrad. It is in Senatskaia Square facing the Neva River and surrounded by the the civil and religious buildings of former Russia and St. Isaac's Cathedral.
Click here for recipes from the series. :)
Fifth Soviet Street housing and rooms (actual photos from where Paullina grew up and based her story)
Peterhof (It's surreal that I have actually been there.)
The Field of Mars
The Summer Garden
Statue of Saturn
Leningrad after the siege
Lake Ladoga
Leningrad citizens being taken across the frozen lake (1941)
Lake Kama
Russian Stove (Think Lazarevo)
Alexander's Captain's Class A uniform
No Alexander, but it's a good colored picture
Tatiana's American Red Cross Uniform (???)
Grecheskij Hospital
Wow, amazing photos! It really helps to understand the more. The photos of the hallways and kitchen very near to what I imagined in my mind's eye!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you like, Ozzie!
ReplyDeleteThe Leningrad pictures really have made that whole experience a lot more real to me. I cannot even imagine what they truly went through.
Oh wow Bells those pics stirred a lot of emotion for me. I have also been to St. Petersburg many times and now that I am reading this I want no need to go back! Even though I promised myself I wouldn't since my last visit wasn't pleasant. Thank yours much for posting those! Now I can imagine Shura in his handsome uniform! Niiice!
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome, Jess! :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome pics LittleBells!
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting these amazing photos, LB, the housing and the rooms look exactly like I imagined them while reading; and the landscape of the river Kama is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSony
Hi everyone! Good morning/ Good evening wherever you are!
ReplyDeleteHI ladies, it's afternoon here in Germany, wanted to say Hello to all of you
ReplyDeleteHi Sony!
ReplyDeleteIt may just be us for a while, so I will go ahead and start asking questions. :)
HOW WELL DO YOU THINK THE AUTHOR SUCCEEDS IN BRING SOVIET RUSSIA TO LIFE? IS IT WHAT YOU IMAGINED? DO THE COMMUNAL LIVING ARRANGEMENTS MEET YOUR PERCEPTIONS OF LIFE IN THE SOVIET UNION?
Hi LB,
ReplyDeleteyes, I think that Paullina S. gives an accurate view of the life in Soviet Russia, the cramped living arrangements, the need to share kitchens and bathrooms with so many people, siblings sharing their bed, no privacy - not even for couples, that's what I expected there.
I think Paullina did an excellent job. I mean she did grow up in St. Petersburg until she was 11. She is very well versed in the places she writes about and gives great descriptions and back history. She knows exactly what conditions were like for Russia in general as well as how it would have been during WWII.
ReplyDeleteAs far as communal living, it met my perceptions. I can't imagine being forced into living arrangements! That would be awful! And to share such small quarters is doable, but when it involves people outside your family, that's when it gets extremely difficult. I think people must have had to really work together to make it liveable. But then again, if that's all you knew....
Sony! I cannot imagine not having privacy!!!! as a couple or an individual. I love my "me" time!!!
ReplyDeleteWHAT IS MOST AT ODDS WITH THE WESTERN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW PEOPLE LIVED IN SOVIET RUSSIA? IS IT THE LACK OF PRIVACY? IS IT THE LACK OF RELIGION/ THE INABILITY TO MOVE, TO GO TO A HOTEL, TO CHANGE APARTMENTS, JOBS, MARRIAGES? THE FEAR THAT AT ANY TIME YOU MIGHT BE ARRESTED?
ReplyDeleteI think I unknowingly take advantage of my freedom, as far as not be more grateful. I love that I can have my own job, my own home, move wherever and whenever I want, and knowing the chances of me going to jail or prison are extremely low.
ReplyDeleteI think it must have been very hard on those who believed in God but couldn't practice or discuss their religion publicaly. I like that Alexander believes in God as he feels it is God who brought Tatiana into his life. He allows Tania to see that there is so much more to the world than what she knows.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PACING AND STYLE OF THE STORY? WHAT ABOUT THE CHARACTERIZATION?
ReplyDeleteHOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT DASHA? DIMITRI? TATIANA? ALEXANDER?
ReplyDeleteDESCRIBE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TATIANA AND ALEXANDER? WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT IT? WHAT DO YOU HATE?
ReplyDeleteand lastly, WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE MOMENTS/QUOTES FROM THE BOOK? (keep it PG-13 ladies. ;) You may use page numbers)
ReplyDeleteSorry LB, was just interrupted by our neighbours dropping in for a glass of wine. And yes, I totally agree with you regarding privacy, that would be the most important thing for me!
ReplyDelete2nd question: Having my own house, my own job, to be able to move whenever I want is vital. And I think one of the worst things in Soviet Russia was that you couldn't trust anybody. There is a sentence by Dr. Sayer to Shura, when they first talk in English in the hospital: "How long have you lived not being able to trust anyone?"
I couldn't believe how many pages TBH had. Honestly I thought it would take me forever to finish, but I did it in two days because I couldn't put it down. It's not fluffy but it's not difficult reading. The pacing is perfect and before you know it, you've read 200 pages! I think Paullina gives so much dimension to her characters between their thoughts, actions, and conversations. These people are so real to me and it's hard not to think that T & A are 110 somewhere and I could go over and have blueberry pie with them.
ReplyDeleteDasha, Dasha, Dasha. I see her as spoiled, self-absorbed and completely unaware. She drove me crazy, and I hated how she talked down to Tania sometimes. On pg. 230 she gets upset at Alexander for defending Tania instead of siding with her. On pgs. 374 and 380, her ability to see past herself is called to the floor. I don't know if she lives in denial or what, but she was really annoying. Of course, being 7 years older than your sister who is loved by the man you love, that could be a very jagged pill to swallow.
Dimitri--turd. selfish, power hungry, manipulative, scared, class-A jerk. He got what he deserved. That's all I have to say about him.
Tania and Alexander--oh good grief where do I begin!!!!??? ARgh....let me go get my notes....
Sony! No worries! I talk to myself all the time. hahahaha!!!! Hope the wine was good! :)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I can't imagine not being able to trust anyone, which then leads to Alexander (siiiigh) and how he must feel being able to freely talk to Tania and share with her things he hasn't been able to and know that he is SAFE with her. *sobs!* I just want to hug that man....
How do I feel about Dasha? In the beginning I liked her a lot; I just couldn't believe that she didn't realize what happened between T and A. For me it shows that she was quite self-centered, didn't pay as much attention to others as she pretended. I started to absolutely dislike her in the scene, where T is beaten by her father and Dasha doesn't help her sister but is on their father' side. From a loving sister I expect to help me, to protect me (especially when she is that much older). And A has to protect T from being hit by her later on. Therefore I must admit that I didn't cry when she died. Maybe I'm heartless, but these were my thought.
ReplyDeleteNo, no, I agree with you. I guess beating each other up was common, but still, yeah, she was ugh....I didn't cry for her either. I think she died happy knowing she had a good sister, but I wonder if she died faster from a broken heart. However, from what I've heard in the excerpts of the second book (which once I get I will send to you) she wasn't as in love with Alexander as we thought. It was more of a sexual relationship and she was looking for a good husband. Honestly I think when Alexander tells Tania he would never have married Dasha and the truth would have come out in Lazarevo, he is absolutely right. They would never have gotten married.
ReplyDeleteWhat do I think about Dimitri? I loathed him from the beginning and I would like to quote A: "He has built himself on lies and deceit, on manipulation and malice, on contempt for me and disrespect for you." Some part of me wished that A had killed him with his bare hands in the hospital!!!
ReplyDeleteLB, yes, you are absolutely right, for me it was also obvious that Dasha didn't really love Alexander, when I read that she wished he might die in battle I wasn't sure whether she ever cared for him at all. That leads me to Tatiana: I do love her inner strength, her believe that everything will become better, somehow. I love the way she loves Shura when they are in Lazarevo, But I sometimes could kick her ass when everybody else is more important than Shura!!! ARGGH!
ReplyDeleteSony, haha!!! You are not the only one who wished Alexander had done Dimitri in! Yeah, that would have been nice, but I wouldn't want Dimitri's death on his hands. Alexander is better than that. Besides, I think his death was very fitting the way it happened.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, what the heck was that with Dasha! I would never wish my lover to die in battle. Unless she was thinking along the lines of...well shoot, no nothing makes that sound normal.
How do I feel about Alexander? Hard to say in a few sentences, but Paullina created a character that really lives for me (sorry, I don't know if I make any sense, perhaps it is due to the fact that English is not my first language), I have an image of him in every scene, how he looks when he is happy, when he is angry, exasperated, reserved, cold or protecting. And of course the image of him as lover...no comment (otherwise it wouldn't be PG13).
ReplyDeleteAs for Tatia: I agree with you, she didn't think she was strong, but yet she does the most growing of all the characters. In the beginning she was the irresponsible one and by the middle of Leningrad she is the only one performing her tasks and making sure everyone is getting fed, while starving herself. No one else can get bread or barley because they are not trusted enough to not eat it on the way home. And the more you read and the more she experiences, the stronger she becomes emotionally and spiritually. And yet she doesn't lose her feminine touch or softness. I LOVE THAT!!! And yes it does drive me crazy when she doesn't put Shura first. (OH Shura) That is a downfall of hers for a long time, but eventually she overcomes that.
ReplyDeleteI love her playfulness, her sensuality, and her genuineness. Some great examples of her personality are on pg. 326 and 340. Obviously there are more, but these are what I jotted down yesterday.
I also like that she isn't afraid to stand up to Alexander and tell him exactly what she's thinking. I think they work very hard at having a partnership and not one being more above the other. That's how marriages should be.
LB, yes, in the end Dimitri got exactly what he deserved and of course I don't want Dimitri's death on Alexander's hands but it was a nice image in my head...
ReplyDeleteahahahahahaha!!!! Sony I TOTALLY understand! She does an incredible job of describing Alexanders mannerisms. On pages 86-97, Shura and Tatia are at the Summer Garden eating her birthday dinner. I love how Tatia describes him on the bottom of pg. 92. I see Alexander as strong, confident, thoughtful, tender, aggressive, knows-what-he-wants, and simple. I think he sees things as black and white. He wants to take care of Tatia and does what he came in the early stages of their relationship/friendship. Yes, he does have a temper, but he is incredibly protective of the ones he loves. No one else matters.
ReplyDeleteI realize it's a woman writing his words, but still, the man has got game! I swear I am going to print out his best lines and have my husband memorize them! HAHA! :) One of the many things I love so much about Shura is his deep love for Tatiana and how he acts on it. He tells her and shows her all the time. I just....ugh....I love him. Despite his flaws and imperfections (remember I am seeing him as a whole since I've read all 3 books) I absolutely adore him. And not in a cutsie way.
Some of my favorite scenes with him other than Lazarevo: pg. 179-192 (first kiss and rescuing Tania), 194, 204-108 (hospital scene. sigh), pg. 358-360, 371-372, and 420
OK, LET'S TALK ABOUT: LAZAREVO ;)
ReplyDeleteYes, LB, that's another part of Tatia's character that I love, she isn't afraid to stand up to Alexander even if he might hit her for it (I think he is very close to beating her when he found her in Leningrad instead of being in Lazarevo as promised ("In a second I'm going to raise more than my voice to you"), because she has all the faith in him that he actually would never ever hurt her. He knows that sometimes his anger if overwhelming him and she knows how to handle him even then.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand Alexander is also melting because of her, one of my favourite sentences (in the hospital, when he is looking her over up and down): "Alexander stared at her, his eyes wide open, his soul wide open, his adoring heart hurting exquisitely." And in the end he nearly always gives in, like when they have their argument about his wish that she should have an abortion. The leaves him and afterwards he concluded that having Tatia being angry with him was more than he could endure - for a minute let alone for the 16 hours it took her to come back. "We will do exactly as you want", Alexander said, sighing heavily, "Like always."
Good grief....words escape me. She writes love scenes so genuinely, realistically, but stays classy. Um...where to begin.
ReplyDeleteOk honestly, I love their reunion moment. I read it all the time. I love how it says, "Alexander was paralyzed by his emotion. He wanted to smile, but he thought any second he was going to fall to his knees and cry. He dropped all his gear, including his rifle. God, he thought, i a second I'm going to feel her. And that's when he smile. Tatiana sprang into his open arms, and Alexander, lifting her off her feet with the force of his embrace, couldn't hug her tight enough, couldn't breathe in enough of her." p. 454
OH. MY. GOSH!!!! *fans self*
Oh Sony!! yes, yes, YES!!!! they both melt each other. AAAAHHHHH!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd they can read each other so well. Especially Tatia. He knows she can read him just by looking at him, and the fact that as it gets closer to him leaving to go back to the front, he flips her so she can't see the sorrow and pain on his face when they are having sex. It was a way for him to protect himself. from her as well as for himself.
Oh and I want to play Rail tracks, Rail Tracks and War Hide-and-seek. Oh and I think I know who I will be for Halloween this year. ;)
ReplyDeleteSony on a scale of 1-5: 1 being worst and 5 being best, what would you rate this book?
ReplyDeleteI give this book a solid 5. Hands down! I got 7 people to read this book, it's THAT GOOD!!!! Holy cow.
ReplyDeleteOk, I need to go, but please, please keep coming back and checking reviews. We have several other readers who weren't able to joins us this morning/evening, but plan on stopping by. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Everyone!
ReplyDeleteHey! You made it, ok, I will stick around some more, just for you!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI also liked the scene where Alexander comes back after their first quarrel (when he ran into the woods) and wants his things back in order to leave which Tatia has hidden to just prevent him from going away. I find it so funny how they are arguing in the shed and the others are whining for their dinner...And of course their first night in the tent and the fact that Tatia isn't shy, she loves him so much. And when the six women catch them in the Kama, entangled and the laundry floating in the water. When he says: "Yes, moan, as loud as you want, I came 600 km to hear you, so moan." When she asks him whether there is another place were he would like to be kissed...them playing strip-poker, when he wants her to say what some part of him is called in English...
ReplyDeleteok so i'm going to start i went over the comments and will start with LAZAREVO. Sorry got to get it out of my system.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I could go on and on about their time in Lazarevo...but now I want to say Hello to Parisienne, how are you?
ReplyDeleteSorry, I have not much time left this evening but I will try to check again later.
Oh Sony, Sony, Sony, Sony.....I loved that quarreling foreplay! And yes to everything you put!!!! *fans self again just thinking about it*. Oh and I also loved when they are back in Leningrad and they are getting their groove on and ...here I'll just type it out.
ReplyDelete"There was a knock on the door. 'Tania, are you all right?' Inga's voice sounded.
His hand over Tatiana's mouth, Alexander yelled, 'Get the hell away from the door!'"
I love how Alexander has no problem putting anyone in their place to get his time with Tania! LOVE. IT.
Oh Paris, :) Sony, I will see you later, then!!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, Parisienne, please start with Lazarevo!!!
ReplyDeleteSony I agree with all of your Lazarevo parts. Those are mine to. I got a good laugh when she saw him erect and freaked out.
ReplyDeleteAHAHAHAHAHA!!! That was awesome and so normal. I loved his response to her. ;)
ReplyDeleteAlso Lazarevo is the only time they are ever alone at all so its very sweet.
ReplyDeleteParis, please don't make me cry at that thought! *sobs* You know how sensitive I am to that. But then you also know my ending ending in my head so its all coooool. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, she freaked out but Shura was so comforting, wasn't he??? "Trust me, it will." And "Or right here , right now, I'll have to make love to you again, and you won't live through it." And she almost didn't.
ReplyDeleteAnd when he licks the self-made ice cream off of her...
"Get me a pillow, Shura!" And there is a funny flashback of Tatia, when she is sitting naked around his neck and he asks her: "What kind of man would throw off a girl sitting naked around his neck?" "A ticklish man", she shouted. I love it that Alexander can also be happy and funny like a child.
And yes, LB, the book gets a 5+!
WHAT OR HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT A SPIRITUAL UNDERTONE TO THE STORY?
ReplyDeleteSony, Paris, I need to go, but I will be back. Have a good night Sony!
ReplyDeleteSorry, ladies, I have to leave now, will be back later or tomorrow morning, have a good evening!
ReplyDeleteWHAT IS IT ABOUT THIS BOOK THAT MAKES IT SUCH A POWERFULLY MOVING LOVE STORY?
ReplyDeleteWHAT DID YOU AS A READER TAKE FROM THE STORY?
Hi all!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be brief, I loved this book! I don't read romance novels so this surprised me. I loved Tatiana's strength of character, where many fell she didn't. I loved Alexander's need to keep her protected,safe and to take care of her. My favourite part was Lazarevo. The only part I did not like was the reunion in Leningrad. I did get scared that he was going to hit her but once it became clear he doesn't I enjoyed the rest of the reunion. I would definately give this book a 5!
Hi Ozzie! Sorry I missed you. So what was it about the reunion in Leningrad that bothered you? Was it Alexander getting angry?
ReplyDeleteOk, after a 48 hour/24+ person family reunion, I have time to really sit down and write my review.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved this book. I ate it right up and told as many of my friends as possible to go out and read it. I had borrowed it from the library after seeing it recommended on another site. As I was more than halfway through, I knew it was "one" of those books that I had to buy and keep forever. I don't like to buy books because I only read them once and they cost a lot of money. That's why I love the library. I don't have a large collection of books on my bookshelf, but what I do have are those books that got under my skin, into my heart and mind and flooded my whole being with it's story.
The same day I bought TBH, I bought the other two books because I knew I would end up buying them anyway.
TBH is a beautiful love story of two genuinely wonderful people trying to survive a war, secrets that could destroy a life, and family entanglements. I love the scene where Tania and Alexander meet. I feel Paullina captures the emotions of each party perfectly and the situations she puts her characters in are very realistic. Being able to relate to a character in anyway is quite powerful. Sometimes, too much so and you have to walk away from the book until you can pull yourself together. I love seeing Alexander through Tania's eyes, and as you read Tatiana & Alexander you get to see Alexander's POV of that same moment. Simply sweet and touching. At that moment you can't help but root for these two protagonists to be together!
Yes, I love the "sexy" times between them, but it's more of their emotional, spiritual, and mental connection that is so engaging. They are true partners. She is stubborn and all he wants is for her to be safe and protected. Yet he needs her so much just as she needs him. I don't see their relationship as co-dependent as much as it is two independent people whose souls are so bound by their similarities and love, that they are better together than apart.
Both have such traumatic experiences in losing their loved ones. I cannot even begin to fathom what it was truly like for those living in Leningrad, let alone Russia, during the war. Paullina gives these characters such determination, hope, faith, and strength to make it through and never give up. As a reader I find that profoundly encouraging and hopeful of my own relationship when we weather our own "wars".
I love that Tania knows how to calm Shura when he is angry, frustrated, or sad. I love their games and humor with each other.
I have so many favorite parts in this book, but one that stands out is the one where Shura tells Tatia to "Remember Orbeli--". He gets cut off in mid sentence so that is all she is left with. It is in book two that you discover what Orbeli is, but it is actually found in TBH. All I will say is it has to do with the scene early on in the book when they are walking past the Hermitage Museum. What Alexander tells her there and how that is a forshadowing of their life is deeply touching. I would like to think my other half would do the same for me and our children as I would do it for them. Thinking about it actually makes me tear up. Dang't thinking about their entire love affair up to this point: the good, the strained, the bad, the joyous, make me cry. Why? Because it is so authentically real and I think there are parts of ourselves that we find in this story.
All we want is to be loved, safe, and happy and to find that with another human being is so precious and dear. I wish more people fought for their relationships as Tatia and Shura do.
OK, I SERIOUSLY NEED TO KNOW, BEYOND ALEXANDER'S AMAZING SEX APPEAL, WHAT IS IT ABOUT HIM THAT WE ARE SO BUTT FREAKING CRAZY IN LOVE FOR???? I kinda mentioned my view a few times. *blushes* but I want to know what you think!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sooooooooooo late. Ok I'm still not done. I don't want it to end yet so I will answer as best as I can.
ReplyDeleteAbout this book god I don't have 23hours to write it out so I will just sum up. This is the best book I have ever read! Ever! The raw emotion I felt when reading it has NEVER happened to me. My heart would pound in excitement, sadness, happiness just from knowing where I left off in the book. I think about it constantly. Especially Shura. That man is by far the sexiest, character I have ever encountered.
The characters are so real. I love Tatiana so much, her meek quiet selfless manner is endearing. The way she admires her Shura is so beautiful. I love how she fights for her family no matter what, I love that she is stubborn. Young yes but nieve. Which is to be expected. She can be like what the he'll. Sometimes where it made me say don't be stupid but her good sweet heart I loved.
Shura. Shura shura shura.where do you begin with the most amazing man ever? He is sexy, hot. And sweet. His whole persona is irresistible. Just the perfect man, manly when he needs but soft vunerable and open the next. His extreme love and protection for tatia is beyond amazing. He is intoxicating. I want a shra like for real! Sometimes his anger should be less.but I understand the war brings out bad times. Also how he was with Dasha bugged me However I know why he was and am ok with it. His cool manner got to me too with the hot and cold. I was on a roller coaster with hem. But I love him....
Lezavero wasTHE best part EVER. The amount of sexual tension we had to go through just to get to that amazing part? Oh my god worth it! I read it 5 times. Over and over. They interacted like real people made love like real people it was just REAL! That is why I loved it sooooo damn much! And will continue to keep reading it!
dim a. Hate him. The coward. He lies, and cheats and is just a worm and does not get a long review of him frm me.
That's all I got so far cause I'm not done and all I have to say is I love this book! shura I love him I can't explain it. The way he walks, talks, makes love ohhhh god I love him. So imam get back to reading cause I miss him! Lol
Awesome Jess! And I agree with everything you said.
ReplyDeleteyes Alexander's temper does get to him, but it's really hard to judge how you might be when in that particular situation. And remember, he has been "looking" for someone like Tania all his life and now that he has found her, all he wants to do is protect her. Sometimes even from himself.
Ok, so what did you take from this book?
Oh yes I understand the war would bring that out in him.
ReplyDeleteWhat I have taken so far? Um that shra and his love is started a fire in me that I need to quench hahaha. Also I had never known the real story of Russia in ww2 this has brought me history very real history and made my emotions real wow I took it in sooo much.
Yes, I think Paullina did an amazing job bringing the history to life. The pictures added the final touch.
ReplyDeleteWould you have done the same thing as Tania, regarding Dasha and Alexander? I realize family is extremely important to her, but at the same time, I can't imagine not being with someone when you know it is right. I mean obviously that's part of the story and I like the tension it brought, but what about in real life?
OH MY GOD I have tried to post twice now and it is making me mad woman!!! Twice I had great posts......OK I will start over for the LAST TIME!
ReplyDeleteWould I do what Tania did. Thats a big NO.
I would not but that is me. However after reading Tatias limitations and her loyalties to her family I can see why she did it. And it wasn't until the wedding did I actually understand her reasoning for the whole thing. She was loyal to her older sister of course like most siblings are. My sister and I share the same thing. You family comes first. However I disagree that Tatia should of given Shura to Dasha. Dasha treated Tatiana very poorly. SHe was mean to her, slapped her, would give HER up for Shura in a heartbeat so why should Tatia give her anything good? Again that is Tatia's nieve spirit. She did everything for those people even when they did treat her like crap. She looked up to her older sister because thats who she had to model her life after. I think Tatia thought she didn't deserve love, or she was too young for it. She didn't understand what was happening to her and it had to be overwhelming. But really if it was my sister I would just say "Hey that theres my man hoe! He wants me okaaaaay?" And yes I talk to my sister like that but that is another story!
In my opinion Dasha would of gotten over it. She would of moved on. I don't think she loved Shura not truly at least. In fact I actually was hoping she would go with Dima they were perfect for eachother! But hey we can all dream huh.
Now Shura.. I completly understand his reasins! In fact more then I understand Tatias. He loves her no matter what and would do anything for her. And if that means playing it up with her sister so be it. Granted it was annoying at times and I would text you in the morning Bells asking "When the HELL is Dasha going away HUHHH?" But I see now why he did it and am so touched by how it played out. thank god I kept reading right?? I mean Shura would do ANYTHING for Tatia. If she said "Hey go kill that group of geese over that with this pencil!! And hop on one foot while you do it!" He probably would. Because he has a loyalty to her that is so beautiful! I am also sure that if Dasha had survived he would not of married her like he said. He would of taken Tatia away no matter what. Again Dasha would deal. Because if she didn't I would slap her..
Which leads me to I am glad things played out the way they did. Especially with Dasha's death. Remember Bells I asked if Dasha dies will they get together right away because I thought that was wrong. Well I am glad it played out the way it did. Dasha died KNOWING Shura loved Tatia. She knew and when she did go I believe that gave Tatia the release she needed to have Shura completly. She knew he was hers all along and so did her sister. And the way that was in the book was perfect.
Now would I do what Tatia did. Again no. But I am not in a war, and my older sister is not all over my man. So really I don't know. However I don't think i still would. But I think Tatia needed to grow first to get Shura in time. Again it worked out perfect!
Now I hope this posts!! GAH!!!
Jess and Sony!
ReplyDeleteI love your comments and completely agree! So very well put. Thank you!
The nice thing, Sony, is that we don't have to like the characters, or what they do, or even the book for that matter. I'm not saying you don't like this book or Alexander, but I'm glad that you want to share the thing that really irked you! Take your time, we'll be here. :)
Ok, question I'm about to google, but how on earth did Tania tap into her arteries to get blood into her veins when helping Alexander? ok, off to research.....
ps. Jess, yes, it can be stubborn sometimes, so before you post, copy your message so you won't have to re-write it. Sorry!!!!
ReplyDeleteFrom SONY (edited per her request):
ReplyDeleteDifficult question, would I do what Tatia did in regard to Dasha and Alexander? Since I don't have siblings but was raised a spoilt brat that would be a huge, resounding NO. No, seriously, I cannot imagine I would give up the love of my life for my sister but I understand Tatia's reactions because of the way she is, caring for others and not selfish. And I'm totally with you, Jess, that after Dasha's death Tania needs time before she realizes that now she might have Alexander all for her own. Sometimes I had to keep in mind how young Tatiana is when all this happens and that makes her inner strength and resolution even more awesome.
Hi Everyone!
ReplyDeleteStill in the testing phase. Stupid PC.
ok...now that it works (thank you God!) on with my review of the book.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, excellent job LB of finding the pictures. They are awesome, just like you.
Life in Russia: I can't imagine not being able to have any privacy at all, and being told what you can and cannot do, think or say is just beyond my comprehension. I wouldn't last long in communist Russia because they would have shot me for speaking out against them. Alex's parents are messed up in the head if that is what they thought was best for their son.
I'm going to be all over the page with my thoughts so please bear with me everyone.
ReplyDeleteTatiana: She started out as a very naive young girl, who i was shaking my head at for getting ice cream when she should have been trying to get food for her family. BUT had she not gotten that ice cream she would not have met Alexander. Such is life.....*sigh* She ended up being the strongest (intellectually and courage wise) of all the characters, imo.
Dasha: I don't like Dasha very much. She does not know what love is and is very superficial. She's also abusive toward Alexander (I will find the page number later to back up my claim) which I couldn't see Alexander putting up with for an extended period of time. I didn't feel sad when she died more like thank god she's out of the way. now they can be together.
Dimitri: Someone please shoot his ass. Enough said.
Alexander: What to say, I love that man. Although he's not as big and bad as people think he is. he's very torn up inside and just doesn't really know where he's going....until he crosses the street. He is very protective of Tatiana, which I understand to a point. She is all he has left. She is the one he looks to for answers, although at times he resents her for being carefree when he feels he can't be.
This is all for now. I will post more later.
Paris said, "Dimitri: Someone please shoot his ass. Enough said."
ReplyDeleteAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! *snort*
Yes, I know I was supposed to be in bed, but I had to turn in an article for LIH. Anyway, I do agree with you on how Tania becoes the strongest and most mature of all the characters. She and Alexander are perfect for each other, even with all their flaws.
<<< Jess, thank you! and yeah, I did have her make that. Sue me! ;)
ReplyDeleteWow, LB, what a picture, unbelievably hot!
ReplyDeleteAs promised I wanted to say a bit more about Shura and how much I love him and why. At their very first meeting I loved that when the bus arrived and blocked the view for both of them that not only Tatiana was running to the front of the bus but Alexander came also running around the bus. It was kind of funny and sweet at the same time. I'm sure we are all in love with his looks (tall, dark hair, square jaw, caramel eyes) but I also love that he so clearly distinguishes himself from the other men Tania knows: his teeth are white and his smell is pleasant and masculine ("it was just him"), he's not smelling unwashed and of Vodka. And his laugh: "sincere, chortling, deep male laugh". I was laughing so loud at Tania's sentence: "I'm not tiny, you're just outsized". He is just absolutely irresistable. His determination to protect Tania, even against her family. When he yells at her drunken father and stops Dasha from hitting Tania. His desperate need to take care of her. To be continued...
Oh Sony! * fanning self* Geez woman! Warn a gal so early in the morning! Now I'm going to need to take my copy of TBH with me to work to read on my breaks! Yes, I love how they both rush to see each other when the bus blocks their view and I love how patient he is with her. I love that as much as he wants to "consume" her, 1) he's too respectful of her, 2) he sees how nervous she is, and 3) he KNOWS this is someone incredibly special and he doesn't want to ruin it.
ReplyDeleteDarn you, Sony!!! HAHAHA! :)
Hi LB,yes, you are right, he knows how incredibly special she is for him and therefore he treats her like he has never treated another woman before. I need fanning myself because this morning I reread the scene where Shura comes into the hospital at three in the morning...no further details here or it won't be PG-13, sorry. And now I read the scene where Marazov finds out that Shura must be in love because he is muttering a girl's name when he's sleeping. "I need to meet the girl who has taken our wandering Alexander's horse and cart." The whole dialogue between Alexander and Marazov is hilarious! Now I must find the part where Dasha and Tania come into the barraks and Marazov realises who the girl is - and it is NOT Dasha. Now I have a wonderful image in mind of a sleeping Shura, hugging his pillow and mumbling "Tatia". Ufff
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure wether it is of any help when I give you the page numbers, because I think we have different editions, mine is the Harper paperback edition of 2008. The hospital night starts on page 161 in this copy, I don't know if it's the same with your book.
ReplyDeleteSony, Sony, Sony....yessssssssss........uffff indeed!
ReplyDeleteKeep giving page numbers. We can always figure it out!!
Hey do you girls have any questions for me that confused you or bewildered you while reading?
ReplyDeleteALWAYS!!! You know that! But at the moment mine is IS SHURA GOING TO LEAVE HER IN THE SOVIET UNION WHILE HE GOES TO THE US??? I know I need to read... In fact thats what I am just going to do...........
ReplyDeleteYeah, not giving any spoilers. haha! :)
ReplyDeleteSony!! The Hospital Night is AMAZINGGGG!! I reread that part about 2543635656456456 times! And still do! YAAAAZOOOO!
ReplyDeleteOh and I am also waaaaay late on this too but I give the book 20 out of 5! I can do that right? Well I just did! Booyah!
ReplyDeletesure, sure, you can do that Jess, but it's still going to end up rated only has high as a 5. Although I do agree with you.
ReplyDeleteSony, girls, here are some passages in the book that I truly love:
"Tania, what are you thinking? Where are you?" he asked puzzled, turning to her slightly. "I was never Dasha's. I was always yours." He took her hand.
"Even through the blockade?"
"Especially then. What little I had was all for you. It was you who was everybody else's. But I was only yours."
Alexander and Tatiana had had an impossible love. Sudeenly marriage. A proclamation to the world, a banner. They met, they fell in love, now they were getting married. As if it were always meant to be. As if betrayal, deceit, war, hunger, death--and not just death but the death of everyone else she had ever loved--had been their courtship. (pg.551)
It was Alexander who came to her, while she was nothing but absorved in her own small, lonely life, and showed her that larger than life was possible. Alexander was the one who crossed the street and said, I'm yours. (p.553)
And one of my most favorite moments is when they are trying to get married and Sofia asks if Tania is in the "family way" because they are in such a rush to get married. I love Alexander's response:
"Yes, she is," said Alexander unabashedly, pulling Tatiana away. "Is it obvious?" He patted ehr stomach. "This will actually be our third child." He smiled broadly. "But the first one who's not a bastard." (pg.550) HAHAHAHAHA!!!! I love how he just doesn't give two flying figs what people think and has a great sense of humor. Oh Shura....
Oh Sony, I would love to know: what overall theme did you get from this story? What impact has it had on your own life? :)
ReplyDeleteI love all of Shura's dialog. Everything he says I take sooo deeply! Except when he gets cold towards Tatia only to pretend. But other than that everything that comes out of that mans mouth is gold to me! AHHHHHHH.
ReplyDeleteHi LB- Great Great pictures. Love everyone's comments about the book. Sorry I'm late just getting back from vacation. Anyway here are some of my thoughts.....
ReplyDeleteThe Bronze Horseman opened my mind, heart and soul. The characters are vivid well-constructed and powerful, they are flawed and faced with real life challenges & circumstances, which kept me engaged from beginning to end. However, the subtext of this story was the most powerful element of all. I think Paullina Simons does a great job asking readers to examine free will, change, hope and destiny. What do you value most in life? What sacrifice are you willing to make for someone or something you desire? Alexander states; "all great things worth having require great sacrifice worth giving." Can we avoid destiny? Will you rage against fate to get something you want? Will you deny truth because you fear change? I think Alexander and Tatiana passion for life is one of the most intoxicating and addictive elements of this story. Simons really knows how to capture the desires of the human spirit in a very sophisticated and unpredictable way. I have more to say but this is it for now.
Here are some more thoughts: A Quick Character Analysis.....Smile!
ReplyDeleteWhat do we know about Alexander? He has tremendous foresightedness, likes order; wishes life was predictable like math. He sees fate as an unknown equation that can’t be avoided, which makes him extremely doubtful. He states; the choices made four years ago can impact life tomorrow. He keeps his word regardless of how it might hurt him. He’s obsessive, protective and a pessimist. Yet, needs comfort, truth and peace to feel complete.
What do we know about Tatiana? She’s a quick learner, likes to explore the unknown and refuses to accept life’s limitations. She hates to be controlled by time and lives for today. She's a peacemaker and caregiver. She’s a great arbiter and judge of character. She’s wears her heart on her sleeve and she's an idealist and dreamer. She needs to take care of others to feel complete.
Alexander & Tatiana’s Behavioral Compatibilities: They both value life, they are both strategists, like order; thirst for knowledge, free will, and hard work ethic.
IMO- Tatiana and Alexander ministering to each others spirit is one of the most beautiful and inspiring aspects of their communion.
OB!!!!! I'M SO HAPPY U ARE HERE! I'm typing this on my phone so it will be short, however, I absolutely agree with all of your comments and cannot wait to discuss them with you further. :)
ReplyDeleteI think sacrifice is a big theme for this story. Actually there many themes, like the ones u mentioned. Once I can get to a computer (visiting my mom) I will respond to your comments.
:)
Ok I am on a part that is making me royally sad and mad at the same tme. I hope Dima dies a very painful death for reals. In fact Alexander should of finished him off...
ReplyDeleteHi LB
ReplyDeleteFOREPLAY-Hmmm! What can I say Alexander likes a eight course meal no cheeseburgers for him.LOL!!
OB,
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, YES!!! He can have his 8 course meal and dessert for all I care. hahaha!!!!
O.k. Here's something to ponder in this story and that is the issue of POWER!
ReplyDeleteIn TBH Dimitri's desire for Power overtakes him. Some people want Power over others because they are unwilling to sacrifice anything to get something they desire, so they use another person to get POWER. We've seen this in how Celebrities are stalked but that's another topic. Now, do u think this parasite behavior is a result of lack of Faith or Desire?
Also, can anyone truly have Power over someone? ITA agree with Simons Free Will can't be predicted only studied. What dou think?
ReplyDeleteCan u build your Faith without sacrifice or changing who u are?
O.k. I'm done for now. LOL!!
OB,
ReplyDeleteFYI, I am currently writing a THESIS in response to all ur epic posts. So thanks in advance for opening the flood gates!!! HAHA! :)
Hi LB!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it's going to be fantastic. Can't wait!!
OB, you said, “I think Paullina Simons does a great job asking readers to examine free will, change, hope and destiny.” I agree on all accounts, and want to add another concept: sacrifice. Throughout the trilogy, sacrifice is brought to light several times. Specifically in TBH, there are a myriad of examples:
ReplyDelete1) Tatiana willing to not let anything happen between her and Alexander because she doesn’t want her sister to be broken hearted. Now obviously this can be seen different ways. Most might think, “Who cares? If you love him, go for it!” But that is not Tatiana. She is devoted to her family and is willing to sacrifice love so as not to hurt her sister. Of course there does come a point when you need to take that chance, despite the consequences.
2) Alexander, despite his great dislike in keeping their love hidden is willing to sacrifice time that they could be spending alone to keep Tania happy. They argue constantly about this and at one point he has had it. But of course we see how things work out.
3) Tatiana sharing what little food they have with others. She hates to see people suffer. She even gives her family parts of her share. This makes Alexander so angry because he loves her and doesn’t want her to end up dead, which is clearly understandable. But that is who Tatiana is. Notice Marina and other family members are not able to buy food and NOT touch it. She puts others first.
4) Tatiana sacrificing her life to find her brother Pasha. She even says at one point that if family won’t look for him, who will? Honestly I think she goes in not even thinking that she will die. She only has HOPE that she will find him and bring him back. Positive thinking! ;)
5) Alexander sacrificing his life to go find Tatiana. Now we know he is doing it per Dasha’s request, but he is also doing it because he can’t live without Tania. He risks getting killed and losing his men that go with him. Again, I don’t think he had any intention of dying either.
6) Without any hesitation, Tatiana going out onto the ice to help save Alexander. No one knew they were married, so why does this nurse care so much? She was willing to risk her life again to save Alexander. Again, just her natural instinct to save the one she loves. Then she goes 5 million steps further and gives more than half her blood to Alexander! And she’s pregnant! I’m not saying that’s a smart move, but I get why she does it. I would probably do that if I were in her shoes as well. You do whatever it takes.
7) And the most important: Alexander faking his death to send Tatiana and his unborn child to start a new, free life in America. He is willing to give up his life for their freedom. He is willing to live out the rest of his life in Soviet prisons or any other prison, just so that she and his child are safe. My gosh! If that is not love and sacrifice, I don’t know what is. He has NO idea if he will ever see them again and yet he is willing to let them go.
(yeah I had to do it in two parts because Blogger wouldn't let me do it in one)
ReplyDeleteOB, what is interesting about your observations is that these things occur in every day reality. We have all been given free will and we use it every single moment. It’s not something we have to consciously think about. At least not always! Haha! Had Alexander NOT decided to walk down that particular street and had Tania NOT decided to eat ice cream on that park bench, they may have never met. Or they could have with Dasha wanting to bring Alexander home, but maybe that “connection” wouldn’t have been there.
As for change, the only thing constant is change. Change is happening as we speak. If it weren’t for change, we wouldn’t grow and mature. Unfortunately so many people fight change that they regress or stay stuck in life. Both characters experienced so much in a year and they grew leaps and bounds. Of course I think that was based on their personalities as well. They did not like what was happening around them, but they did the best they could, thinking ahead with hope.
Hope is one of those things you have to have. One will never get through life, successfully without hope. It propels us forward when life is hitting us with it’s mighty winds. It gives us the strength to get up in the morning when you are emotionally or physically living minute to minute. It is that light at the end of the tunnel that you know is there, but you sometimes have to wait to see it. Without hope, we would all be lost. Alexander HOPED Tania would be alive when he went to Lazarevo. Tania HOPED that her plan to get to America would work. They also gave each other hope and I think that is very important. Sometimes we are so drained that we need the strength of a true friend to help carry us until we can do it on our own. I have friends in my own life who were there for me when my world had been shattered and I had nothing left inside. My hope was not gone, but I couldn’t find it. I was too blinded by pain and heart break. But my friends who loved me gave me what I needed until I could see again. Alexander and Tania are great strengths to each other.
As for destiny, I just spent 20 minutes discussing this with Paris, and I still can’t get it right, as far as expressing myself clearly! Argh! I’ll come back to it.
Ok, I realize there is more to comment on other than that one part in your post OB, bur forgive me. I think I just burst a few brain cells writing this response! I will come back later. ☺
Yes, apparently one of my burst brain cells is the one I needed to spell "bur" as "but". :/
ReplyDeleteOh Bells I love your description above I agree with all of it.
ReplyDeleteI finished the book last night so now I can actually answer properly how the book made a impact on my life and what overall theme I think it has.
First I want to say this book I really didn't want it to end. Paullina is a amazing author and I am so glad that Bells recommended it. The emotions I felt for the characters alone and the situations that were happening were very overwhelming, I have never felt the way I did while reading this book for any other book I have read before.
Paullina created a world that was so real and so compelling that it is as if you are living it. She created characters that are so real that you felt their pain, their love, their raw emotions. Never have I had actual clear images and feelings to a tee of characters in a book before. So when I read this it was overwhelming. Just perfect.
Tatiana being the giver, she gave everything. She helped so many people without wanting anything in return. She thought of only others and not herself.Her sacrifices she made for her family no matter what was endearing and sometimes frusterating but I see now that her family was obviously all she had and the love she had for them was amazing. I love that she knows how to take care of herself. She is bold and fearless. She faces hardships with effortless ease. Taking care of others. She isn't really afraid of anything.. Except losing Shura. I love how tough she is and knows how to stand up to people if she needs. Just a amazing strong female. Plus her innocence is sweet I love that she knew nothing of life but saw good in everything.
Then Alexander. What can I say about the man that has ruined me for any other male character out there! LOL Shura is strong. very strong and hard. He holds secrets that he opens to Tatia in such a short time of knowing her which shows his soft side. He is sweet, sexy (of course) funny and sometimes vunerable especially around Tatia. then he has a anger issue that obviously comes from his past and hardships. He See's things different from Tatia pessimistic almost. He lives more in harsh reality whereas Tatia still see's things in a happier way like nothing bad can ever happen. I think sometimes he resents her a little for that. But At the same time I think that is why he became so in love with her. Her sweet innocence saved him imo. And he knew he needed her so badly because his life was hard and seeing her outlook on everything was just the light he needed.
(Had to continue in 2 posts I wrote too much! sorry)
ReplyDeleteI love that they live for eachother it is the most amazing thing I have ever read. The love you can actually feel in your heart. So much passion they have. They have to live for eachother. I mean that was it when they met that was the destiny Shura spoke about their souls met and nothing else mattered..
When she found out he "died" that scene I cried so hard over how she was able to go on after that I will never know however I truly think that she doesn't believe or can feel in her heart that shura is alive. She can feel him and him her. And I think the way she can get herself to America not only for her baby of course but because she feels in her soul that he is still out there.
The Book obviously made a HUGE impact on my life. How well everything it talked about I felt truly felt. It obviously isn't like those cheesy romance novels with Fabio on the cover called "The love ship!" where the story is just eh.. No this was REAL as I said before. Not only were Tatia and Shura in true love, they had real struggles in the world actual fear for their own lives. The war was life or death in soo many ways. Family were dying right in front of them. And to see how overall their love still came through after ALL that was spectacular. I want a love like that. i truly do. Don't know where I will find a Shura but I will keep looking. So I really can't explain how the book impacted me because it was so intense on all levels. I just know that I will read it over and over for the rest of my life. And that it really has become my favorite book. I loved everything about it. To have all my emotions going through a rollercoaster every damn page. Oh my just amazing. No words can describe it. I try but I am not articulate enough! LOL Just Amazing.
And the theme I agree is sacrifice, and love just amazing love, and how much you have to sacrifice for it!
I am truly sad it is over.. I miss it already, in fact before I read the last pages I went back to her Birthday dinner and read that whole part.. When he asks her to call him Shura.. Just the night and day difference of them then to them now.. so romantic and the longing.. wow. Just wow that is all I got. I love this book SO much! Now onto T and A!! Whooohoooo! Get them back together.. like now!
Jess,
ReplyDeleteI loved your post! Yes, it truly is such an amazing book, that like OB said, opens your mind, heart, and soul. One at a time is ok, but all three at one time: exhausting! :)
Thank you for such great comments!
Hi LB-
ReplyDeleteThanks for answering my questions. Your response and observations were wonderful to read.
If I may add Simons best exposition in the book on SACRIFICE, DESTINY & FREE WILL can be found when Alexander states; "all great things worth having require great sacrifice worth giving." This argument between Tatiana and Alexander on Pushkin is wonderful. I had to read it a few times to get it. The subtext is Alexander's secret argument for why he is willing to sacrifice his life to save Tatiana from the horror of ending up as a POW or deserters wife. Now, Tatiana is arguing why she would choose life with Alexander over comfort. Ahhh!!Wonderful double meaning exchange here. Love it!!
Anyway LB thanks for the discussion. TBH series spiritually healing substance makes it hard to over simplify your mind, heart and soul. Great Job!
O.k. wait LB- I just read your post again. There is the element of Free Will and Willing something into happening, which can have a huge impact on your choices. I think this is where Hope and Faith lives. Alexander: Faith is (free will)what u do in the moment, to say cross the street or jump off a train and Tatiana: Hope is believing everything will work out in the end so u take certain actions to make what u imagine come true. Both Faith and Hope can change your fate because both require u to choose what action u are going to take. O.k. I may be over thinking this. LOL!! But I wanted to add this thought because it might resolve the destiny discussion between U and Paris. Smile!!
ReplyDeleteOB,
ReplyDeleteAaaaahhhhh! :)
Great additional thoughts and working on part two. Haha!
I agree with that bells love your post. :-)
ReplyDelete(Had to go back and edit this post because the grammar was obnoxious!)
ReplyDeleteOk, this just came to me now and so I better write it before I forget.
Alexander doesn't trust many people but because of the person Tania is, he feels safe sharing his secrets with her. That's one of the things that I truly believes make him love her. Also, and this is part of T & A as well, he knows that Tania loves him and accepts ALL of him. Not just sweet, thoughtful, strong Shura, but moody, tempermental, obsessive and agressive Shura. To be accepted by the love of your life is truly something precious.
Ok. That's it. For now! :)
Ok, OB, I think I figured out what I was trying to say! :)
ReplyDeleteI don’t believe in destiny, per se. That is because I don’t see how it works with free will, something I absolutely believe in. I believe that we all have a special purpose to fulfill in life, but not everyone is going to fulfill it based on their choices and desires of their hearts. For every choice we make their is a consequence. I believe that God does make some intercession, only when he sees the desire of our hearts trying to make the right choices, but getting stuck and not being able to figure out how to get on the correct path. That may include guiding us to people that will be able to help us if we let them and if they choose.
I don't think it was Destiny that brought Alexander and Tania together, but their life choices and inner spirit. And once they met and realized they both had the same true feelings for each other, they had to work at their relationship. At any point one could have left the other, which would cancel out destiny.
This is as simple as I can make it without going on and on, but please feel free to ask any questions! I will answer. :)
Beautifully put LB! ITA- With u free will can't be predicted which makes it difficult to determine ones destiny/life. Life is not like math it can't be predicted only studied. I mean u can assume what a person might do based on the limited options a person is given in that moment.. But it's what that person chooses to do in that moment that can alter ones future. For example, at the end of TBH could Alexander have avoided getting arrested by the NKGB? What options did he have? Could he have escaped with Sayer's and Tatiana if he had stalled Dimitri and not lost his temper?
ReplyDeleteU said: "I believe that God does make some intercession, only when he sees the desire of our hearts trying to make the right choices, but getting stuck and not being able to figure out how to get on the correct path. That may include guiding us to people that will be able to help us if we let them and if they choose." Was Sayer's, Tatiana and Sherkov Alexander intercession? Basically Dimitri knew the NKGB were destined to try and capture and kill Alexander, that was already determined. Yet! It was his free will that altered his life in the end.
Do u think Alexander could have avoided being arrested? IMO: He had two options one that sacrificed other people's lives to escape and one that sacrificed only his life. What do u think? Which one would u have chosen?
Great question, OB! I just got home from church and need my Sunday nap. hahaha!!! :) I will come back to your amazing question. And I still want to touch on the Power topic as well, regarding Dimitri.
ReplyDeleteI was reading a section of the 3rd book which makes me go back to the situation with Dasha not seeing what was in front of her.
ReplyDeleteWas it just her personality that kept her from seeing the love between Tatiana and Alexander, while everyone else saw it? Are we blinded by situations in our own life? Is it possible deep down she knew but had to see T & A at the post office to make it real?
Hi LB-
ReplyDeleteRegarding Dasha's blindness? I think it boils down to good old DENIAL. This is a reoccurring theme in the book. U see it with Tatiana's Father and Mother when they were warned about Pasha's safety and to leave Leningrad. They chose to ignore both red flags because they refused to change their values. Basically they wanted something for nothing they wanted Pasha safe yet lacked faith in themselves or children. Why didn't they enroll Pasha in Officer school instead of keeping him a child in camp? Having lack of faith or courage is a huge character flaw in Dimitri, Dasha, Marina, Tatiana's Father & Mother.
Oh! One more thing regarding Destiny. I think Simon's refers to Destiny as Time. Alexander states this in TBH a few times. Time/Destiny keep's going if we want it to or not, meaning we can't stop Time/Destiny. Does that make sense?
P.S. In terms of Dasha? She was a parasite just like Dimitri.NO! All she cared about was what Alexander could give her. This is very common trait in those who lack faith/courage they feed off of others to get Power. Not knowing u gain strength by what u give then what u receive. Yeah! Dasha did not understand that concept. LOL!!
ReplyDeleteIMO Dasha was much too self-centered to really pay attention to the behaviour of T & A, she didn't think it would be possible that a man could be interested in her little sister "that looked like a 12 year-old". Her sisterly love for Tania didn't go deep (she would never have denied herself something for Tania's sake; I loathe her greedy behaviour when Shura brings a can of spam for Tatiana and feeds her with it and Dasha is there and tries to get some of it although she has already eaten up Tania's stew, as an example). And she is cruel to her even in the last moments when she asks her: "How did it feel, Tania, hearing him say he never loved you?" Maybe I'm too harsh but I can't have pity for Dasha.
ReplyDeleteHi Sony-
ReplyDeleteYour not harsh I think Dasha and Dimitri were the characters I disliked the most.LOL!! ITA Dasha was self centered. I think it goes back to desiring Power over someone because u think this will give u Power. Dasha was older and felt entitled to have more freedom & liberties and certain inalienable rights. Did u notice inalienable rights is another character flaw Simons defines her antagonist by?
O.k. here's my harsh evaluation: I believe Dasha, Dimitri, Marina and Tatiana's parents were followers always looking for quick and easy solutions to problems. They were greedy, short sighted and weak spiritually.
OB,
ReplyDeleteI have been meaning to ask you, what do you think of the overall love story/relationship with Tatiana and Alexander? ARe there points that bother you? Parts that make you go "swoon/sigh"?
Hmm!The love story is very well constructed and developed. Simon's has a plausible and convincing triangle that all love stories have. Meaning some sorta obsticle keeping the two love interest apart. However, she goes one step further by adding a fourth, fifth and sixth obsticle which adds amazing suspense, longing and adventure for the reader.
ReplyDeleteIn Conclusion,
ReplyDeleteAlso Simons flushes out the characters motivations really well by giving them flaws and adding dimension and complexity. Does this answer your question?
Very well put OB. Thank you. :)
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