What do you think?
Rate this book
Cold Victory
From New York Times bestselling author Karl Marlantes comes a propulsive and sweeping novel in which loyalty, friendship, and love are put to the ultimate test.
Helsinki, 1947. Finland teeters between the Soviet Union and the West. Everyone is being watched. A wrong look or a wrong word could end in catastrophe. Natalya Bobrova, from Russia, and Louise Koski, from the United States, are young wives of their country’s military attachés. When they meet at an embassy party, their husbands, Arnie and Mikhail, both world-class skiers, drunkenly challenge each other to a friendly—but secret—cross-country wilderness race.
This is another masterful novel from the author of the modern classic Matterhorn, whose “breakneck writing style is both passionate and haunting” (W. E. B. Griffin). Layered with fast-paced action, historical detail, and a keen eye for the way totalitarianism and loss of truth and privacy threatens love and friendship, Cold Victory is a triumph.
Helsinki, 1947. Finland teeters between the Soviet Union and the West. Everyone is being watched. A wrong look or a wrong word could end in catastrophe. Natalya Bobrova, from Russia, and Louise Koski, from the United States, are young wives of their country’s military attachés. When they meet at an embassy party, their husbands, Arnie and Mikhail, both world-class skiers, drunkenly challenge each other to a friendly—but secret—cross-country wilderness race.
This is another masterful novel from the author of the modern classic Matterhorn, whose “breakneck writing style is both passionate and haunting” (W. E. B. Griffin). Layered with fast-paced action, historical detail, and a keen eye for the way totalitarianism and loss of truth and privacy threatens love and friendship, Cold Victory is a triumph.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 9, 2024
147 people are currently reading
4932 people want to read
About the author
Karl Marlantes
5 books750 followersA graduate of Yale University and a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, Karl Marlantes served as a Marine in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Navy Cross, the Bronze Star, two Navy Commendation medals for valor, two Purple Hearts, and ten air medals. He is the author of Matterhorn, which won the William E. Colby Award given by the Pritzker Military Library, the Center For Fiction's Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize, the 2011 Indies’ Choice Award for Adult Debut Book of the Year and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation’s James Webb Award for Distinguished Fiction. He lives in rural Washington.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
May 10, 2024
Ever have one of those experiences where a book looks attractive because you've enjoyed at least one prior effort by the author, the subject matter feels like it's right up your alley, the setting is interesting, and the premise suggests it'll be captivating ... and yet.... and yet ... the elements or ingredients just don't add up to the polished whole you were hoping for? Well, that's what this book was for me.
Yes, I read it. And, yes, it was ... interesting. And, yes, there were some twists and turns, although it was pretty clear where it was going. And yet, I finished it thinking, gee, that wasn't a very good book, but it should have been. Alas.
First things, first: this is no Matterhorn. And, while it's not fair, having read Howarth's (non-fiction) We Die Alone,, I probably had some visions or associations in my head that skewed my expectations. But, when push comes to shove, I think I was disappointed by how over-the-top all of the characters were crafted as stereotypes or objects and, in a weird way, I was frustrated by the author's inclination to tell (too much, too often, too explicitly) rather than show what everyone was thinking, which didn't leave much to the imagination.
No, I'm not sorry I read it. But, alas, I expected much more, so I was (arguably, unfairly) disappointed.
Yes, I read it. And, yes, it was ... interesting. And, yes, there were some twists and turns, although it was pretty clear where it was going. And yet, I finished it thinking, gee, that wasn't a very good book, but it should have been. Alas.
First things, first: this is no Matterhorn. And, while it's not fair, having read Howarth's (non-fiction) We Die Alone,, I probably had some visions or associations in my head that skewed my expectations. But, when push comes to shove, I think I was disappointed by how over-the-top all of the characters were crafted as stereotypes or objects and, in a weird way, I was frustrated by the author's inclination to tell (too much, too often, too explicitly) rather than show what everyone was thinking, which didn't leave much to the imagination.
No, I'm not sorry I read it. But, alas, I expected much more, so I was (arguably, unfairly) disappointed.
January 9, 2024
Now Available:
This novel is very different in tone, content, and narrative style than Marlantes' blockbuster hit MATTERHORN, which is *the* definitive guide to what it was really like to be a grunt in the Vietnam War. If you haven't yet read it, I highly recommend it.
Our story begins in Finland, not long after the close of WWII. The setting involves the tricky politics of the diplomatic corps in Helsinki, but what grabbed my attention was the quick refresher on Finn WWII history. That was the most fascinating part of the story for me. I kind of wish that the story had begun with the war itself. The author does a very good job of presenting the difficulty of effective diplomacy in a country which suffered more than America did, and whose customs and language seem opaque and impenetrable.
Marlantes also does a splendid job of rendering that special brand of oligarchal hypocrisy known as Soviet communism. There is no egalitarian country in the world, of course, but the excessively indulgent opulence of well-connected wealthy Russians is legendary, and probably always will be. This particular brand of swagger thrust about by the Soviet envoy, was certainly meant to reflect dominance and power, not just in Finland, but in all of Eastern Europe. The Soviets were treating the countries of the Eastern bloc like trinkets at a fire sale. The presence of the Soviet head of security services at the home of the Soviet envoy, could in itself communicate the sort of brutish power they held, and not just over the Finns. The message being that the diplomatic delegation from the U.S. should watch its step, and take care not to get in the way.
Since I was expecting a serious Cold War espionage novel, I was surprised and gladdened to see that Marlantes' main characters exhibited both clever retorts and snappy humor. You have to love the line that the worst thing about diplomacy is having to be diplomatic.
In this novel the spotlight is on the wives, the women who are navigating unchartered diplomatic waters with far less information than that afforded to their husbands. For Louise, being the wife of a diplomat makes her feel adrift. Her husband Arnie is a Finn, knows the language and culture. Louise lurches from one misstep to another. But, as it is after all wars, there are huge numbers of orphans. This lights a fire under her, gives her purpose, a cause she is willing to fight for. Arnie seems a bit cool on the subject, but he understands that this is important to Louise. The children need her, and she needs them.
Marlantes presents a reason behind the forced starvation of Ukraine that had never occurred to me. It was still indefensible, but it does explain a little better about why the Russians did it.
No country suffered as many military and civillian losses as Russia. Between unspeakable war horrors and the political purges, it's no wonder many Russians became hard-edged and focused mainly on self-preservation.
Marlantes hints at certain conclusions without saying them outright, especially the understanding that Americans at home could not imagine the suffering of people in Europe or Asia, because the war never came to our mainland. Any Russian tendency towards extreme toughness and brutality is, again, indefensible, but also something we can see the cause of.
The author does a reasonably good job of describing the dance of espionage with paranoia. It was a volatile time when you couldn't trust anyone and every step required diplomatic choreography. The tension among the Russians, the Finns, and the Americans, never lets up. Each let their pride and nationalism get in the way.
Sometimes, the naivete of Louise gets on my last nerve, but in a way, she is the most fearless. Her husband Arnie, and Natalya and her husband Mikhail, seem like they are too busy keeping their cards close, so worried about tipping their hand that they forget to play.
The ski race, to be honest, was not a very satisfying source of tension for me, even with so much political danger riding on the outcome. I guess I was looking for a more cloak & dagger, secret code, spycraft, kind of cold war thriller, and much of this novel is stuck out in the snow, the ice, and the dreaded bog. I was looking for a more edge of your seat, fast-paced drama. It's odd that the race itself is what slows down the story. I think Kirkus Reviews sums this up neatly by describing COLD VICTORY in this way: "A few longueurs aside, there’s enough cat and mouse here to keep Cold War thriller buffs engaged."
Thank you to Grove Press, an imprint of Grove Atlantic, and NetGalley, for providing a proof of this e-book for review.
This novel is very different in tone, content, and narrative style than Marlantes' blockbuster hit MATTERHORN, which is *the* definitive guide to what it was really like to be a grunt in the Vietnam War. If you haven't yet read it, I highly recommend it.
Our story begins in Finland, not long after the close of WWII. The setting involves the tricky politics of the diplomatic corps in Helsinki, but what grabbed my attention was the quick refresher on Finn WWII history. That was the most fascinating part of the story for me. I kind of wish that the story had begun with the war itself. The author does a very good job of presenting the difficulty of effective diplomacy in a country which suffered more than America did, and whose customs and language seem opaque and impenetrable.
Marlantes also does a splendid job of rendering that special brand of oligarchal hypocrisy known as Soviet communism. There is no egalitarian country in the world, of course, but the excessively indulgent opulence of well-connected wealthy Russians is legendary, and probably always will be. This particular brand of swagger thrust about by the Soviet envoy, was certainly meant to reflect dominance and power, not just in Finland, but in all of Eastern Europe. The Soviets were treating the countries of the Eastern bloc like trinkets at a fire sale. The presence of the Soviet head of security services at the home of the Soviet envoy, could in itself communicate the sort of brutish power they held, and not just over the Finns. The message being that the diplomatic delegation from the U.S. should watch its step, and take care not to get in the way.
Since I was expecting a serious Cold War espionage novel, I was surprised and gladdened to see that Marlantes' main characters exhibited both clever retorts and snappy humor. You have to love the line that the worst thing about diplomacy is having to be diplomatic.
In this novel the spotlight is on the wives, the women who are navigating unchartered diplomatic waters with far less information than that afforded to their husbands. For Louise, being the wife of a diplomat makes her feel adrift. Her husband Arnie is a Finn, knows the language and culture. Louise lurches from one misstep to another. But, as it is after all wars, there are huge numbers of orphans. This lights a fire under her, gives her purpose, a cause she is willing to fight for. Arnie seems a bit cool on the subject, but he understands that this is important to Louise. The children need her, and she needs them.
Marlantes presents a reason behind the forced starvation of Ukraine that had never occurred to me. It was still indefensible, but it does explain a little better about why the Russians did it.
No country suffered as many military and civillian losses as Russia. Between unspeakable war horrors and the political purges, it's no wonder many Russians became hard-edged and focused mainly on self-preservation.
Marlantes hints at certain conclusions without saying them outright, especially the understanding that Americans at home could not imagine the suffering of people in Europe or Asia, because the war never came to our mainland. Any Russian tendency towards extreme toughness and brutality is, again, indefensible, but also something we can see the cause of.
The author does a reasonably good job of describing the dance of espionage with paranoia. It was a volatile time when you couldn't trust anyone and every step required diplomatic choreography. The tension among the Russians, the Finns, and the Americans, never lets up. Each let their pride and nationalism get in the way.
Sometimes, the naivete of Louise gets on my last nerve, but in a way, she is the most fearless. Her husband Arnie, and Natalya and her husband Mikhail, seem like they are too busy keeping their cards close, so worried about tipping their hand that they forget to play.
The ski race, to be honest, was not a very satisfying source of tension for me, even with so much political danger riding on the outcome. I guess I was looking for a more cloak & dagger, secret code, spycraft, kind of cold war thriller, and much of this novel is stuck out in the snow, the ice, and the dreaded bog. I was looking for a more edge of your seat, fast-paced drama. It's odd that the race itself is what slows down the story. I think Kirkus Reviews sums this up neatly by describing COLD VICTORY in this way: "A few longueurs aside, there’s enough cat and mouse here to keep Cold War thriller buffs engaged."
Thank you to Grove Press, an imprint of Grove Atlantic, and NetGalley, for providing a proof of this e-book for review.
January 31, 2024
Mix Karl Marlantes (of Matterhorn/Vietnam fame) and the Cold War, and you get a good story! This novel is set in Helsinki shortly after the end of WWII, when tensions from the war and desires for future domination remained extremely high between/among Finland, Russia and the United States. The main characters are a young American husband and wife, who have been posted to Finland on a “diplomatic” mission. (He was in the US military during WWII, so the reader assumes that “diplomacy” has a mixed interpretation!) The other two main characters are a Russian couple, also from a military background and also posted to Helsinki for “diplomatic” purposes. The American and Russian men had met during WWII, and upon reconnecting in Helsinki, challenge each other to a friendly 10 day ski race in the north of Finland. Through a series of good-natured errors, the race receives international attention and becomes a metaphor for, and focus of, the tension between the US and Soviet Russia.
But – this is not at all just another Cold War thriller (and if that is what you are looking for, I suggest you find a novel that truly is in that genre). This is a story about life at that time and place. Particularly it is a story of the two wives (American and Russian), which is an interesting and different twist. The two women become friends, and the reader experiences their daily lives and their reactions to the tense environment. The American woman is from Oklahoma, and she brings her Oklahoma University sorority persona to Helsinki. She is trusting and a good planner, but most of all she wants to help Finnish orphans in the orphanage in Helsinki. The Russian woman is completely consumed by fear of her any word or action being taken as subversive, with the resulting punishment being the gulag or death. These fears are heightened by her love for her two young children. Her every thought is cautious and reactive/calculating, and she is constantly worried and mistrusting. Through her, the reader experiences a daily life perspective of a Soviet woman. The orphans and the ski race are thrown into this extraordinary tense political situation. Karl Marlantes can write a good story, and I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
But – this is not at all just another Cold War thriller (and if that is what you are looking for, I suggest you find a novel that truly is in that genre). This is a story about life at that time and place. Particularly it is a story of the two wives (American and Russian), which is an interesting and different twist. The two women become friends, and the reader experiences their daily lives and their reactions to the tense environment. The American woman is from Oklahoma, and she brings her Oklahoma University sorority persona to Helsinki. She is trusting and a good planner, but most of all she wants to help Finnish orphans in the orphanage in Helsinki. The Russian woman is completely consumed by fear of her any word or action being taken as subversive, with the resulting punishment being the gulag or death. These fears are heightened by her love for her two young children. Her every thought is cautious and reactive/calculating, and she is constantly worried and mistrusting. Through her, the reader experiences a daily life perspective of a Soviet woman. The orphans and the ski race are thrown into this extraordinary tense political situation. Karl Marlantes can write a good story, and I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
Read
January 29, 2024DNF at page 112. Read up to page 112 about a week ago and found myself interested in learning the historical aspect of the Finnish relations with Germany and Russia during WWII, but I more or less learned that in the timeline provided by the author at the beginning of the book. As I put it down, I thought to myself "This isn't too bad, maybe I'll keep going". A week later, picking it back up and reading where I left off, I figured it's just not for me. Marlantes really knows how to tell stories of Vietnam as in his amazing Matterhorn. It's top tier when it comes to fiction relating to the Vietnam War/American War, but when it comes to "Cold Victory", the interactions between the characters are too plain and the characters themselves seem uninteresting, dull and predictive.
I don't like to give 1 stars to books due to the subjectivity of the reader, so I'll just leave it unrated and let you decide how you feel about it.
I don't like to give 1 stars to books due to the subjectivity of the reader, so I'll just leave it unrated and let you decide how you feel about it.
January 15, 2024
I greatly enjoyed Marlantes' earlier books, 'Matterhorn' (Vietnam War) and 'Deep River' (early 20th century logging community), so I was looking forward to this.
You know where this is going.
The story is fascinating: the dilemma that Finland found itself in during WWII, repelling the Soviet invasion in 1939, allying with Germany to take back their land from the Soviets, then allying with the Soviets to fight the Germans in the waning days of the war. Post-war, they risked another Soviet invasion if they didn't make huge war reparations to the Soviets, which crippled their economy.
The UK and Soviet Union did not sign an official peace treaty with Finland until Feb. 10, 1947, which awarded the Soviet Union all the land they had captured in the 1939 war. Betcha didn't know the UK was still at war in 1947.
Anyhow, that's all historical fact that underlies this fiction about an American legation (can't have an embassy) in Helsinki in 1946-47, consisting of an American military man and his Oklahoma-born wife. While the POV shifts around during the book, the focus is on the wife, Louise, whose actions impel the plot.
So far so good for historical fiction. And it's not lost on me that Marlantes wanted to tell this story now, while Ukraine is in an uncomfortably familiar situation. If the Finnish war is any indication the Ukraine situation may end up with a peace treaty giving some occupied land to the Soviets – er, I mean Russia. We'll see.
OK, here's where I detail my objections to the book.
First, the main viewpoint character Louise is portrayed as “naive but not stupid”. She is ignorant of geopolitics and is constantly putting her foot in her mouth, dplomatically. She's from rural Oklahoma so is supposed to have no knowledge of these things. I can see why Marlantes had to portray her that way since it provides opportunities to give the reader context as the husband patiently explains geopolitics to his wife, but she's also been a military wife for some years so can't be that ignorant. I can forgive most of the verbal gaffes she makes, but late in the book she makes a decision to publicly announce her husband's secret scheme to compete with a Soviet officer in a way that is so mindbendingly stupid that it is inconceivable. Marlantes is in a bind here, he needs to make the secret competition public to move the plot where he needs it, but Louise's unthinking action is just not credible. When you find yourself muttering “Oh come on, nobody is that stupid”, it's a bad sign.
Plus, the whole idea of a ten-day, 500 kilometer race that they could keep secret from both their governments is quite a stretch. These two men are very visible in Finland and closely watched by their superiors, especially the Soviet.
A book should not point out the flimsy architecture that holds it together. That's how suspension of disbelief breaks down.
There were a couple of other minor mistakes. Louise and the Soviet wife speak French together, since the Soviet woman only speaks Russian and French. The Russian's nanny (who is a spy, of course) speaks only Russian, or at least is portrayed that way. However, late in the book when Louise comes to their apartment, she learns from the nanny that the Soviet woman is out. Howzat again? Since when could the nanny speak to the American, supposedly in English? It never seemed in previous visits that the nanny could speak anything but Russian. Maybe she could understand English (she's a spy, after all) but there was no indication of this earlier and no inkling that Louise would be startled by the nanny all of a sudden speaking in English. Or even worse, French, since that's what the nanny has been overhearing in the apartment the whole time the two wives talk.
And finally, there's the climax where the Soviet secret service come to the apartment to take away the Soviet wife and children, but give the wife time to slip a note under the American's door. Louise reads the note, and goes on a mission to save the wife – and goes to her apartment to find them still there. Howzat again? The secret service took them away (“we have a car waiting outside”), so how come they are back in the apartment so Louise can conveniently find and rescue them?
Sigh. I wish Marlantes hadn't thrown me out of the story so many times. It's a pretty gripping yarn about a little known part of WWII and post-war history, and helps explain why Finland was so resistant to joining NATO for decades, not wanting to provoke Russia, and how meaningful it is now that they have finally decided to join.
You know where this is going.
The story is fascinating: the dilemma that Finland found itself in during WWII, repelling the Soviet invasion in 1939, allying with Germany to take back their land from the Soviets, then allying with the Soviets to fight the Germans in the waning days of the war. Post-war, they risked another Soviet invasion if they didn't make huge war reparations to the Soviets, which crippled their economy.
The UK and Soviet Union did not sign an official peace treaty with Finland until Feb. 10, 1947, which awarded the Soviet Union all the land they had captured in the 1939 war. Betcha didn't know the UK was still at war in 1947.
Anyhow, that's all historical fact that underlies this fiction about an American legation (can't have an embassy) in Helsinki in 1946-47, consisting of an American military man and his Oklahoma-born wife. While the POV shifts around during the book, the focus is on the wife, Louise, whose actions impel the plot.
So far so good for historical fiction. And it's not lost on me that Marlantes wanted to tell this story now, while Ukraine is in an uncomfortably familiar situation. If the Finnish war is any indication the Ukraine situation may end up with a peace treaty giving some occupied land to the Soviets – er, I mean Russia. We'll see.
OK, here's where I detail my objections to the book.
First, the main viewpoint character Louise is portrayed as “naive but not stupid”. She is ignorant of geopolitics and is constantly putting her foot in her mouth, dplomatically. She's from rural Oklahoma so is supposed to have no knowledge of these things. I can see why Marlantes had to portray her that way since it provides opportunities to give the reader context as the husband patiently explains geopolitics to his wife, but she's also been a military wife for some years so can't be that ignorant. I can forgive most of the verbal gaffes she makes, but late in the book she makes a decision to publicly announce her husband's secret scheme to compete with a Soviet officer in a way that is so mindbendingly stupid that it is inconceivable. Marlantes is in a bind here, he needs to make the secret competition public to move the plot where he needs it, but Louise's unthinking action is just not credible. When you find yourself muttering “Oh come on, nobody is that stupid”, it's a bad sign.
Plus, the whole idea of a ten-day, 500 kilometer race that they could keep secret from both their governments is quite a stretch. These two men are very visible in Finland and closely watched by their superiors, especially the Soviet.
A book should not point out the flimsy architecture that holds it together. That's how suspension of disbelief breaks down.
There were a couple of other minor mistakes. Louise and the Soviet wife speak French together, since the Soviet woman only speaks Russian and French. The Russian's nanny (who is a spy, of course) speaks only Russian, or at least is portrayed that way. However, late in the book when Louise comes to their apartment, she learns from the nanny that the Soviet woman is out. Howzat again? Since when could the nanny speak to the American, supposedly in English? It never seemed in previous visits that the nanny could speak anything but Russian. Maybe she could understand English (she's a spy, after all) but there was no indication of this earlier and no inkling that Louise would be startled by the nanny all of a sudden speaking in English. Or even worse, French, since that's what the nanny has been overhearing in the apartment the whole time the two wives talk.
And finally, there's the climax where the Soviet secret service come to the apartment to take away the Soviet wife and children, but give the wife time to slip a note under the American's door. Louise reads the note, and goes on a mission to save the wife – and goes to her apartment to find them still there. Howzat again? The secret service took them away (“we have a car waiting outside”), so how come they are back in the apartment so Louise can conveniently find and rescue them?
Sigh. I wish Marlantes hadn't thrown me out of the story so many times. It's a pretty gripping yarn about a little known part of WWII and post-war history, and helps explain why Finland was so resistant to joining NATO for decades, not wanting to provoke Russia, and how meaningful it is now that they have finally decided to join.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2024
One of my favorite books about war was “Matterhorn”, by this author. I rank it as the best I’ve read along with “Battle Cry”, by Leon Uris and “From here to Eternity”, by James Jones. This new book deals with a different subject. It is part historical fiction and part espionage. The place is Helsinki right after WW II. An American lieutenant colonel, of Finish descent , is a assigned to the American legation as the intelligence officer. He and his wife travel to Helsinki under trying conditions. The author does a wonderful job of mixing facts about the conditions in Finland after their war with the Soviet Union and the reasons why Finland allied herself with Germany. He does this along with the personal and professional lives of the aforementioned couple.
November 14, 2023
4.5
1947 Helsinki, Finland. Both the US and the Soviet Union have their presence in Finland, as former allies against the Germans but now with a strained relationship. The US doesn't want the Soviets to take over Finland and the Soviets obviously want Finland and all of Eastern Europe. Two old friends that met during WWII - Arnie on the US side and Mikhail on the Soviet side who had once celebrated victory together have met again in Finland and over too many drinks at party they make a challenge between two friends to have a ski race over 506 km which will take a week to finish. Of course, this must be kept secret from their military bosses. After the race starts, word is out. And this part of the story was so implausible and unbelievable, I rolled my eyes. But stay with the story, because the tension takes off. We understand how different the way the Americans think versus the way the Soviets think, never truly trusting anyone and always being spied on. A story that will keep your stomach in knots!
My thanks to Cindy Burnett with Thoughts From A Page (Traveling Galley program) and Grove Press for an advanced copy of this book.
1947 Helsinki, Finland. Both the US and the Soviet Union have their presence in Finland, as former allies against the Germans but now with a strained relationship. The US doesn't want the Soviets to take over Finland and the Soviets obviously want Finland and all of Eastern Europe. Two old friends that met during WWII - Arnie on the US side and Mikhail on the Soviet side who had once celebrated victory together have met again in Finland and over too many drinks at party they make a challenge between two friends to have a ski race over 506 km which will take a week to finish. Of course, this must be kept secret from their military bosses. After the race starts, word is out. And this part of the story was so implausible and unbelievable, I rolled my eyes. But stay with the story, because the tension takes off. We understand how different the way the Americans think versus the way the Soviets think, never truly trusting anyone and always being spied on. A story that will keep your stomach in knots!
My thanks to Cindy Burnett with Thoughts From A Page (Traveling Galley program) and Grove Press for an advanced copy of this book.
September 14, 2025
Set in Helsinki in 1947, two couples are on diplomatic assignment to Finland: one from the United States and the other from the Soviet Union. Arnie Koski and Soviet counterpart Mikhail Bobrov renew their wartime acquaintance during a diplomatic reception. Their wives, Louise and Natalya, form a tentative friendship. The men drunkenly propose a 500 km cross-country skiing contest through the Finnish wilderness. What begins as a private challenge turns into an international incident that puts the Russian couple in jeopardy. They face severe consequences under Stalin's paranoid surveillance state.
The initial chapters establish the characters and provide the backstory of recent history in Finland. It takes place at the start of the Cold War and Finland has supported both Russia and Germany at different times during WWII. The pacing and tension ramp up to a dramatic conclusion. This novel portrays the difficulties of maintaining friendships that cross ideological boundaries. I particularly enjoyed the way the author shows how the same events can be interpreted very differently. This is a riveting story. I ended up genuinely caring about all the characters. It is well-written and will appeal to those interested in accurately portrayed historical fiction about the Cold War.
The initial chapters establish the characters and provide the backstory of recent history in Finland. It takes place at the start of the Cold War and Finland has supported both Russia and Germany at different times during WWII. The pacing and tension ramp up to a dramatic conclusion. This novel portrays the difficulties of maintaining friendships that cross ideological boundaries. I particularly enjoyed the way the author shows how the same events can be interpreted very differently. This is a riveting story. I ended up genuinely caring about all the characters. It is well-written and will appeal to those interested in accurately portrayed historical fiction about the Cold War.
April 19, 2024
Cold Victory by Karl Marlantes is war thriller. (Post war)
Louise Koski and her husband Arnie are stationed in Finland in 1947. Arnie is a US ambassador and Louise is from a Midwest town. They have been struggling to have a child, having suffered a loss. Balancing etiquette in the powder keg of a political climate of Finland The United Stated and The Soviet Union could easily be catastrophic as saying or doing the wrong thing can lead to danger or death. World War II has just ended two years ago, but Finland is a mix of supporters, many hating The Soviet Union for the destruction they have caused, as well as the sanctions that were imposed upon them post war.
Natalya Bobrova will do almost anything to support her husband Mikhail and her country. When Natalya and Louise and their spouses meet at an embassy party, they begin to develop a friendship. But in a time when anyone can betray you, how much can these women really disclose. When they bond over an orphanage in need of help, they try to maneuver through diplomatic channels to help get funding to children in need. The number of children that are orphans post World War II has increased exponentially and the funding to feed and or care for the children is limited by many factors, the most significant being the financial sanctions that the area is under. At the same time Arnie and Mikhail get a little drunk, they begin to boast about their accomplishments in skiing and end up making a wager about who would win in a cross country skiing competition. In a time period where World War II has barely ended, something as simple as two attaches making a friendly competition, quickly escalates to so much more.
This was my first time reading a book by Karl Marlanres and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I have always loved history and have always enjoyed reading historical based fiction. I like the way the stories put you into a time period but in a way that draws people in, not just history buffs. I enjoyed the way the author kept me hanging on until the very end.
I loved the narrator. Bronson Pinchot had a great voice and drew me into the story very quickly. My husband walked into the room while I was listening and he sat there listening to the book, commenting how much he enjoyed the narrator. I enjoyed this book and will definitely check out more books by this author and or this narrator.
Louise Koski and her husband Arnie are stationed in Finland in 1947. Arnie is a US ambassador and Louise is from a Midwest town. They have been struggling to have a child, having suffered a loss. Balancing etiquette in the powder keg of a political climate of Finland The United Stated and The Soviet Union could easily be catastrophic as saying or doing the wrong thing can lead to danger or death. World War II has just ended two years ago, but Finland is a mix of supporters, many hating The Soviet Union for the destruction they have caused, as well as the sanctions that were imposed upon them post war.
Natalya Bobrova will do almost anything to support her husband Mikhail and her country. When Natalya and Louise and their spouses meet at an embassy party, they begin to develop a friendship. But in a time when anyone can betray you, how much can these women really disclose. When they bond over an orphanage in need of help, they try to maneuver through diplomatic channels to help get funding to children in need. The number of children that are orphans post World War II has increased exponentially and the funding to feed and or care for the children is limited by many factors, the most significant being the financial sanctions that the area is under. At the same time Arnie and Mikhail get a little drunk, they begin to boast about their accomplishments in skiing and end up making a wager about who would win in a cross country skiing competition. In a time period where World War II has barely ended, something as simple as two attaches making a friendly competition, quickly escalates to so much more.
This was my first time reading a book by Karl Marlanres and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I have always loved history and have always enjoyed reading historical based fiction. I like the way the stories put you into a time period but in a way that draws people in, not just history buffs. I enjoyed the way the author kept me hanging on until the very end.
I loved the narrator. Bronson Pinchot had a great voice and drew me into the story very quickly. My husband walked into the room while I was listening and he sat there listening to the book, commenting how much he enjoyed the narrator. I enjoyed this book and will definitely check out more books by this author and or this narrator.
January 7, 2024
This was such a pleasant surprise! Know that while it may look like a nordic noir mystery because of the cover it is not. This is historical fiction in Helsinki, in 1947 surrounding two couples, one from the United States and the other from Russia.
We follow the lives of two wives who meet at an embassy party through their husbands. Things are testy in Finland after WWII, because of this, both of these women must act and behave very carefully so that they don't attract unwanted attention of the Russians.
They become friends, or as close as can be under the countries circumstances. They work together to try and help a local orphanage, but the American wife doesn't realize the danger she is potentially putting herself and her friend into as she tries to help these children.
I felt a true sense of cold with this taking places in Finland. It felt truly Russianesque as fear lingered in the back of my mind while reading this. Fear for these fictional characters.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and Librofm for the advance ALC of this book.
We follow the lives of two wives who meet at an embassy party through their husbands. Things are testy in Finland after WWII, because of this, both of these women must act and behave very carefully so that they don't attract unwanted attention of the Russians.
They become friends, or as close as can be under the countries circumstances. They work together to try and help a local orphanage, but the American wife doesn't realize the danger she is potentially putting herself and her friend into as she tries to help these children.
I felt a true sense of cold with this taking places in Finland. It felt truly Russianesque as fear lingered in the back of my mind while reading this. Fear for these fictional characters.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and Librofm for the advance ALC of this book.
November 10, 2023
Set in Helsinki in 1947 when Finland is torn between the Soviet Union and the other Allied countries. Relations are so strained that the USA doesn't yet have an embassy. Everyone is being watched and no one trusts anyone else. A quick course in diplomacy, and Arnie and Louis Koski are sent to Finland as military representatives of the USA. They re-connect with a Russian soldier Arnie met during WWII - Mikhail Bobrova and his wife Natalya. After a night of drinking a bit too much, the friends challenge each other to a race. What starts out as a harmless wager turns into quite an international spectacle. Bravery. Loyalty. Betrayal. And the ultimate price to pay for one's country.
I was captivated from the very beginning and enjoyed this thriller. My thanks to Cindy Burnett at Thoughts From a Page (Lit Lovers/Traveling Galley Program) and Grove Press for the advanced copy of this book. Publish date - January 9, 2024.
I was captivated from the very beginning and enjoyed this thriller. My thanks to Cindy Burnett at Thoughts From a Page (Lit Lovers/Traveling Galley Program) and Grove Press for the advanced copy of this book. Publish date - January 9, 2024.
January 30, 2024
3.75 rounded up…it’s complicated
RTC
RTC
January 7, 2024
Finished reading: January 6th 2024
"Courage takes many forms."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Grove Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
February 4, 2024
2-3 stars. I like war novels set in cold temps and this moves at a good pace. However the whole drama centered on a press release for a race between two people that had already started in the middle of nowhere. I could see MAYBE the local Finnish paper picking it up without any kind of validation but EVERY MAJOR PAPER IN THE WORLD?? Seems stupid even back then. Also then the Communists send 10 paratroopers there to clean house based on this press release. Dumb.
I liked the characters and the focus on the female protagonists but the tension was created by something so stupid and unbelievable that the whole book is ruined.
I liked the characters and the focus on the female protagonists but the tension was created by something so stupid and unbelievable that the whole book is ruined.
January 31, 2024
Thank you Netgalley for a copy for review.
What worked for me:
I read historical fiction to get a perspective on an historical event/time/person that I may not be aware of so that I can look into this history further. While I was aware of Finland during the war, I was not well versed on after war - so this intrigued me.
What didn't work for me:
I am not a fan of the "evil Russian" trope & thought based off of the summary that it wouldn't fall under this - unfortunately it did. This laid a heavy hand on evil Russian/America is the innocent hero plot.
I also am averse to a naive woman & her actions being the plot device, but especially written by male author.
Overall this did not work for me & I wished the summary would have given a bit more information so I would have recognized key points that I usually avoid.
What worked for me:
I read historical fiction to get a perspective on an historical event/time/person that I may not be aware of so that I can look into this history further. While I was aware of Finland during the war, I was not well versed on after war - so this intrigued me.
What didn't work for me:
I am not a fan of the "evil Russian" trope & thought based off of the summary that it wouldn't fall under this - unfortunately it did. This laid a heavy hand on evil Russian/America is the innocent hero plot.
I also am averse to a naive woman & her actions being the plot device, but especially written by male author.
Overall this did not work for me & I wished the summary would have given a bit more information so I would have recognized key points that I usually avoid.
January 18, 2024
This was my first novel by Karl Marlantes. It is 1947, Helsinki. Finland teeters between the Soviet Union and the West. Everyone is being watched. Natalya Bobrova, from Russia, and Louise Koski, from the United States, are young wives of their country’s military attachés…
This was a great story about female friendship between two unlikely women who meet at an embassy party. The author did a great job with character development and describing the setting of Finland. I enjoyed learning about the history of Finland’s role right at the beginning of the Cold War. Preorder this book if you enjoy stories about friendship, friendly competition, sacrifice, and history.
I received an advanced physical copy from @thoughtsfromapage Lit Lover Patreon Community (Traveling Galley Program). Thank you to Cindy Burnett and publisher Atria books. I appreciated the opportunity to preview this book.
This was a great story about female friendship between two unlikely women who meet at an embassy party. The author did a great job with character development and describing the setting of Finland. I enjoyed learning about the history of Finland’s role right at the beginning of the Cold War. Preorder this book if you enjoy stories about friendship, friendly competition, sacrifice, and history.
I received an advanced physical copy from @thoughtsfromapage Lit Lover Patreon Community (Traveling Galley Program). Thank you to Cindy Burnett and publisher Atria books. I appreciated the opportunity to preview this book.
January 31, 2024
Post WWII historical fiction set in Finland. Friendship, warrior code of honor and life in a totalitarian country. Excellent
January 17, 2024
I feel mislead by this book. I read half the book before getting to the story about the cross-country race.
I was also uncomfortable by how stereotyped the two women were. I'm baffled by why Louise thought it was a good idea to organize and promote the raffle. Natayla didn't want her talking about the race in front of the nanny, so why didn't Louise realize the race was a secret? Everyone kept calling Louise "smart, but naive." Over & over again. At the beginning of the book, she was described as trained because she was as equally important to diplomacy as her husband. Yet why was she so clueless about the region's politics and dangers? And again, what about the race?! Why did I have to wait so long for so few details about the race?
I was also uncomfortable by how stereotyped the two women were. I'm baffled by why Louise thought it was a good idea to organize and promote the raffle. Natayla didn't want her talking about the race in front of the nanny, so why didn't Louise realize the race was a secret? Everyone kept calling Louise "smart, but naive." Over & over again. At the beginning of the book, she was described as trained because she was as equally important to diplomacy as her husband. Yet why was she so clueless about the region's politics and dangers? And again, what about the race?! Why did I have to wait so long for so few details about the race?
January 20, 2024
Russia has shaped twentieth century Finnish history due to the small nation’s proximity to the Slavic giant. Before World War II, the Helsinki government found itself dealing with a Russian invasion, during the war it suffered Nazi occupation leading to a reinvasion from Moscow that at the end of the war saw it loose roughly 11% of its territory to its Stalinist neighbor. Today Finland has reemerged as a pawn in Russia’s drive to recapture its empire. After Finland obtained NATO membership, Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened Finland and with its long border the Finnish government must be prepared for any eventuality as the war in Ukraine grinds on, and as Republicans in the House of Representatives continue to block any aid for the Kyiv government. This landscape lends itself to a wonderful opportunity to create historical fiction involving the Russo-Finnish relationship. Karl Marlantes, the author of MATTERHORN, one of the most profound and disturbing novels about Vietnam, and DEEP RIVER, a wonderful and engrossing work of historical fiction centered on the experience of Finnish immigrants in the logging area of Washington state at the turn of the century, has filled that gap with his latest book, COLD VICTORY.
Those familiar with Marlantes’ previous efforts will not be disappointed with his current effort. Set in the heart of the emerging Cold War the Finns are caught between East and West trying to recover from the damage caused by World War II. The most important characters in the novel include Arnie and Louise Koski, a married couple who have been posted to Helsinki. Arnie is a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army and has been appointed military attaché to the US Legation. Louise is a rather clueless “diplomatic” spouse who creates a number of issues for her husband and will learn many difficult lessons. Mikhail and Natalya Bobrov are in a comparable situation. Mikhail is the Russian military attaché in Helsinki and Natalya works at the Russian Legation. She develops a strong friendship with Louise as do their husbands, as both spies engage in intense competition with each other. Kaarina Varila, a Finnish relative of Arnie, and the Head of a Helsinki orphanage is emblematic of Finnish hatred of the Russians. Other individuals include Colonel Oleg Sokolov who is in charge of Soviet security in Finland as part of the MGB – the Ministry of State Security which is considered worse than the Gestapo. Sokolov is a sinister individual who is like a spider spinning his web of intrigue. Max Hamilton is the US Charge d’ Affaires at the US legation and Aleksandr Abramov is the Soviet Envoy.
Marlantes integrates a number of important historical characters in his story. Those who stand out are Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin whose motivations and realpolitik are on full display. Another is Lavrentiy Beria, Head of the MGB, and a man who strikes fear in all who come in contact with him. These and other characters highlight the author’s strong command of the history of the period. Further, he integrates a number of notable events and observations into his plot. Useful examples include a discussion of the Katyn Forest Massacre in 1943 as Beria ordered the murder of 22,000 Polish officers, and the history surrounding the 1944 Moscow Armistice whereby Finland was forced to pay a massive reparation to Russia and turn over a substantial amount of territory.
The story centers around Russian paranoia concerning Finland who they view as a threat to their security as a western invasion route against Moscow. The US on the other hand is worried about communist influence in the Finnish Parliament as they hold over one-third of the seats in addition to the presence of Soviet troops. Marlantes has created a espionage plot centered on raising funds for a Finnish orphanage which Louisa and Natalya work to support as they are heartbroken by the number of orphans that were created because of World War II. Second, the story is played out by the competition between Arnie and Mikhail who have challenged each other with a grueling ten day 300K ski race from the Artic Circle to Kuopio. The race became a metaphor for the competition between capitalism and communism and a pawn in the developing Cold War between the Soviets and Americans and should Mikhail lose the race the Stalinist regime would probably kill or exile him and his family to Siberia as he would be viewed as a spy and an embarrassment to Moscow.
In developing the relationships among his characters, Marlantes juxtaposes the differences between the Soviet Union and United States, how both powers viewed the recent war, and their current distrust of each other as relations continued to deteriorate. The question in the background rests on trust, as each character seems to question the loyalty of those they deal with, not knowing who might be spying on whom. Marlantes uses Sokolov’s past life and current role as a vehicle to highlight the suffering of the Russian people during the war because of the Nazi invasion and a justification for its own invasion of Finland. Now that the Nazis are defeated his role is to root out internal enemies of the motherland and employ all the weapons of the Stalinist system – a system that fills the world with disinformation and deceit.
For Marlantes whether writing about Vietnam or post-war Finland, war is a confusing and rich world where death and bureaucratic stupidity abound. If one where to think about events in Ukraine today there is a similarity to what happened to Finland after the war. The significant difference is Ukraine has received enormous amount of western aid, and Finland did not. Marlantes has written a tight Cold War novel that draws the reader in and does not let them go until the book is read from cover to cover.
Those familiar with Marlantes’ previous efforts will not be disappointed with his current effort. Set in the heart of the emerging Cold War the Finns are caught between East and West trying to recover from the damage caused by World War II. The most important characters in the novel include Arnie and Louise Koski, a married couple who have been posted to Helsinki. Arnie is a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army and has been appointed military attaché to the US Legation. Louise is a rather clueless “diplomatic” spouse who creates a number of issues for her husband and will learn many difficult lessons. Mikhail and Natalya Bobrov are in a comparable situation. Mikhail is the Russian military attaché in Helsinki and Natalya works at the Russian Legation. She develops a strong friendship with Louise as do their husbands, as both spies engage in intense competition with each other. Kaarina Varila, a Finnish relative of Arnie, and the Head of a Helsinki orphanage is emblematic of Finnish hatred of the Russians. Other individuals include Colonel Oleg Sokolov who is in charge of Soviet security in Finland as part of the MGB – the Ministry of State Security which is considered worse than the Gestapo. Sokolov is a sinister individual who is like a spider spinning his web of intrigue. Max Hamilton is the US Charge d’ Affaires at the US legation and Aleksandr Abramov is the Soviet Envoy.
Marlantes integrates a number of important historical characters in his story. Those who stand out are Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin whose motivations and realpolitik are on full display. Another is Lavrentiy Beria, Head of the MGB, and a man who strikes fear in all who come in contact with him. These and other characters highlight the author’s strong command of the history of the period. Further, he integrates a number of notable events and observations into his plot. Useful examples include a discussion of the Katyn Forest Massacre in 1943 as Beria ordered the murder of 22,000 Polish officers, and the history surrounding the 1944 Moscow Armistice whereby Finland was forced to pay a massive reparation to Russia and turn over a substantial amount of territory.
The story centers around Russian paranoia concerning Finland who they view as a threat to their security as a western invasion route against Moscow. The US on the other hand is worried about communist influence in the Finnish Parliament as they hold over one-third of the seats in addition to the presence of Soviet troops. Marlantes has created a espionage plot centered on raising funds for a Finnish orphanage which Louisa and Natalya work to support as they are heartbroken by the number of orphans that were created because of World War II. Second, the story is played out by the competition between Arnie and Mikhail who have challenged each other with a grueling ten day 300K ski race from the Artic Circle to Kuopio. The race became a metaphor for the competition between capitalism and communism and a pawn in the developing Cold War between the Soviets and Americans and should Mikhail lose the race the Stalinist regime would probably kill or exile him and his family to Siberia as he would be viewed as a spy and an embarrassment to Moscow.
In developing the relationships among his characters, Marlantes juxtaposes the differences between the Soviet Union and United States, how both powers viewed the recent war, and their current distrust of each other as relations continued to deteriorate. The question in the background rests on trust, as each character seems to question the loyalty of those they deal with, not knowing who might be spying on whom. Marlantes uses Sokolov’s past life and current role as a vehicle to highlight the suffering of the Russian people during the war because of the Nazi invasion and a justification for its own invasion of Finland. Now that the Nazis are defeated his role is to root out internal enemies of the motherland and employ all the weapons of the Stalinist system – a system that fills the world with disinformation and deceit.
For Marlantes whether writing about Vietnam or post-war Finland, war is a confusing and rich world where death and bureaucratic stupidity abound. If one where to think about events in Ukraine today there is a similarity to what happened to Finland after the war. The significant difference is Ukraine has received enormous amount of western aid, and Finland did not. Marlantes has written a tight Cold War novel that draws the reader in and does not let them go until the book is read from cover to cover.
March 27, 2024
Thank you Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks for allowing me to read and review Cold Victory on NetGalley.
Published: 01/09/24
Narrator: Bronson Pinchot
Stars: 4
Smart. The goal is to keep Finland out of Russian hands during a period in time where absolutely no one could be trusted. These were true spy days. The KGB was real. Marlantes and Pinchot had me holding my breath and sighing audibly, as well as leaving me with goosebumps. The dark noir -- agents following, standing on corners, bugs, and smoking expected. The U..S. had their spies too.
Pinchot was amazing.
I found Cold Victory to be well done. The relationships the women formed was heartwarming and heartbreaking. This begs the question how far would you go? I'm still sickened.
I would gift this in a basket with a bottle, cheese and some good chocolate.
Published: 01/09/24
Narrator: Bronson Pinchot
Stars: 4
Smart. The goal is to keep Finland out of Russian hands during a period in time where absolutely no one could be trusted. These were true spy days. The KGB was real. Marlantes and Pinchot had me holding my breath and sighing audibly, as well as leaving me with goosebumps. The dark noir -- agents following, standing on corners, bugs, and smoking expected. The U..S. had their spies too.
Pinchot was amazing.
I found Cold Victory to be well done. The relationships the women formed was heartwarming and heartbreaking. This begs the question how far would you go? I'm still sickened.
I would gift this in a basket with a bottle, cheese and some good chocolate.
January 27, 2024
For those readers who are new to Marlantes, this book follows a member of the Koski family from his previous novel, "Deep River." It wasn't until page 238 when Marlantes references the logging business that it dawned on me. It's not a sequel so this book works perfectly well as a stand-alone without needing to read "Deep River." That being said, read "Deep River" and "Matterhorn" to deeply immerse yourself in quality writing.
Marlantes knows how draw the reader into an engrossing story highlighting the history of Finland and the the U.S.-Soviet relations in the late 1940s. I had absolutely no knowledge about Finland prior to reading this so I fully appreciate the timeline in the beginning and all the background references to understand the dynamics at play. There were many times when Marlantes points out the great disparities of loss/suffering between the U.S. and the USSR: the number of lives lost during World War II, the Depression vs. Ukrainian famine in the early 1930s, etc.
My two favorite sections:
1. "She was so grateful that in America you could say anything you wanted without fear of reprisal. You could rely on the government and the press to always tell the truth. In America, a fact was a fact. Period."
Oh, how I wish that was still a true belief system today.
2. "It wasn't sport if victory was won at any cost. Sport had rules. Abandon rules to win and everyone loses. You may as well not have had the contest."
Marlantes knows how draw the reader into an engrossing story highlighting the history of Finland and the the U.S.-Soviet relations in the late 1940s. I had absolutely no knowledge about Finland prior to reading this so I fully appreciate the timeline in the beginning and all the background references to understand the dynamics at play. There were many times when Marlantes points out the great disparities of loss/suffering between the U.S. and the USSR: the number of lives lost during World War II, the Depression vs. Ukrainian famine in the early 1930s, etc.
My two favorite sections:
1. "She was so grateful that in America you could say anything you wanted without fear of reprisal. You could rely on the government and the press to always tell the truth. In America, a fact was a fact. Period."
Oh, how I wish that was still a true belief system today.
2. "It wasn't sport if victory was won at any cost. Sport had rules. Abandon rules to win and everyone loses. You may as well not have had the contest."
January 28, 2024
3.5 stars. Interesting story and I learned a lot about Finland which was interesting… but this entire story hinges on one incredibly stupid decision (I’m looking at you, Louise!) and I found that unbelievable. I kept shaking my head while I was reading, in complete disbelief that a character could be so dumb. I finished it, and the ending was fine but I can’t say I’d recommend this to anyone.
July 2, 2024
It was hard to determine who to be most angry with in this story, but in the end I find most of it directed toward the female main character, the wife of a U.S. military attaché in immediate post-WWII Finland, for her blundering naiveté that led to cataclysmic consequences in this story. The full context of it is described well here:
"She became aware that she was angry. At the shallow State Department briefings for assuming all she needed to know was how to manage a cocktail party. At the Oklahoma education system for isolating her from any history beyond her own country. At America, for sheltering her from the stark and grim reality that Natalya faced every day. The horror of living in the Soviet system was no longer some textbook description. The reality now filled her with dread."
To be sure, her husband and his Soviet counterpart/allied war buddy were also at fault for launching their crazy cross-country ski race idea after too many drinks at the party, knowing there was risk involved. But the wife and her idea to publicize it for a charitable purpose without knowing the personal and political fallout put everything over the top.
Everyone pays a price for it in the end.
This plot was a train wreck in slow motion, and I don't mean pace, just the dread waiting for events to unfold.
On a side note, I had no idea the long history between Finland and Russia/the Soviet Union, and how that played out before, during and post WWII. That provided great atmospheric tension to this story, and the cold and darkness provided a just backdrop.
"She became aware that she was angry. At the shallow State Department briefings for assuming all she needed to know was how to manage a cocktail party. At the Oklahoma education system for isolating her from any history beyond her own country. At America, for sheltering her from the stark and grim reality that Natalya faced every day. The horror of living in the Soviet system was no longer some textbook description. The reality now filled her with dread."
To be sure, her husband and his Soviet counterpart/allied war buddy were also at fault for launching their crazy cross-country ski race idea after too many drinks at the party, knowing there was risk involved. But the wife and her idea to publicize it for a charitable purpose without knowing the personal and political fallout put everything over the top.
Everyone pays a price for it in the end.
This plot was a train wreck in slow motion, and I don't mean pace, just the dread waiting for events to unfold.
On a side note, I had no idea the long history between Finland and Russia/the Soviet Union, and how that played out before, during and post WWII. That provided great atmospheric tension to this story, and the cold and darkness provided a just backdrop.
January 24, 2024
Finland 1947, a country with divided loyalties is the setting for the converging of a Russian diplomatic family and an American diplomatic couple. Working together on the surface, but trust is difficult with so many players and completely different mindsets. This is a thrilling novel that fully engaged me. The research feels thorough and compelling. I learned a lot about Finland and WWII. I highly recommend. Thanks to Grove Atlantic for an Advanced Copy of this book.
@thoughtsfromapage
@groveatlantic
@thoughtsfromapage
@groveatlantic
March 17, 2024
The story couldn't be replicated by anybody else than Karl Marlantes. He told a story of Arnie and Louise Koski or I should say Lieutenant Colonel Koski living in Finland right at the armistice of WWII. They met Kaarina Vanhatalo who was incharge of the all the orphans in Helsinki. Then they were introduced to Mihail Bobrov and his wife Natalya. They were Russians. The story surrounds getting money for the orphans in Helsinki. Arnie and Mikhail were friends from the war where Arnie gave Mikhail his watch. What happens is Arnie and Mikhail decide to have a skiing contest with a ten day interval. Arnie's wife decides to have a contest with the winner being the time between the American or Russian coming home. The Russians decide to get rid of Mikhail and his wife instead of waiting to see who wins. The story is more involved than I can make it so read it for yourself and get the vibes from the people in the know.
November 16, 2025
After reading Karl Marlantes’s powerful debut, Matterhorn, and being swept away by his concrete-block–sized family saga, Deep River, I was so excited for his new novel, Cold Victory. Marlantes is a talented writer, and after going two for two (three for three if you include his nonfiction What It Is Like to Go to War - which was also good), I looked past the mixed reviews. But now I understand why the book was received the way it was.
Cold Victory takes place in Helsinki in 1947. Finland is still reeling from the war, and it remains a powder keg poised to explode into further conflict amid rising tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union.
The book focuses primarily on two couples: Arnie and Louise Koski, and Mikhail and Natalya Bobrov. Both Arnie and Mikhail are military attachés (i.e., diplomats) who first met during World War II, when they served in mountain infantry divisions - Arnie with the U.S. Army and Mikhail with the Soviet Red Army. They shared a drink as active the war wound down and are reunited several years later at a New Year’s Eve party, where their wives meet as well.
Drunk at that party, Arnie and Mikhail challenge each other to a 10-day, 500-kilometer ski race, with the loser required to toast the other’s military as the finest in the world. It goes without saying: there’s a lot of bravado and pride at play between two strong former ski troops.
As Natalya and Louise become friends, it is not lost on them that their countries - and husbands - could soon be at war. Stationed abroad and far from home, they bond through their shared passion for contributing to a local orphanage. Their unlikely friendship seems unshakeable until news of their husbands’ gentleman’s wager appears in a Finnish daily newspaper and is soon picked up by editorials around the world. Suddenly, what began as competition between friends becomes Communism vs. Capitalism, Socialism vs. Democracy - each nation unwilling to be embarrassed on the world stage while peace remains tenuous at best.
The book has a great premise. It’s essentially a less-popcorny version of Rocky IV, infused with political tension and Cold War–era intrigue. But like skiing in the vast backcountry during inclement weather, it’s easy to lose your way - and Cold Victory does just that in its closing chapters.
At first, I really enjoyed the relationship between the wives, which takes more of the spotlight than the ski competition around which the book revolves. Naturally, then, it was disappointing when Louise’s smart, independent, Oklahoma-folksy character ultimately embodies what foreigners view as equal parts arrogance and ignorance in Americans. The brotherhood between Mikhail and Arnie is likewise magnetic. I appreciated their many exchanges where they could disagree as soldiers but agree as men, sharing their experiences of war and their love of skiing (though I do wish Marlantes had spent more time on the skiing and less on their significant others). Natalya, too, is a strong character. Marlantes has a gift for writing inherently tragic figures, and in Natalya’s case, the tragedy hits as hard as vodka is strong.
Having built a strong appreciation for Marlantes’ work, I wanted this novel to be so much more than it was. In the end, it seems Marlantes was content to frustrate readers, leaving an ending that is maddeningly neat and closed while somehow also open and unfulfilling.
3.5 out of 5
Cold Victory takes place in Helsinki in 1947. Finland is still reeling from the war, and it remains a powder keg poised to explode into further conflict amid rising tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union.
The book focuses primarily on two couples: Arnie and Louise Koski, and Mikhail and Natalya Bobrov. Both Arnie and Mikhail are military attachés (i.e., diplomats) who first met during World War II, when they served in mountain infantry divisions - Arnie with the U.S. Army and Mikhail with the Soviet Red Army. They shared a drink as active the war wound down and are reunited several years later at a New Year’s Eve party, where their wives meet as well.
Drunk at that party, Arnie and Mikhail challenge each other to a 10-day, 500-kilometer ski race, with the loser required to toast the other’s military as the finest in the world. It goes without saying: there’s a lot of bravado and pride at play between two strong former ski troops.
As Natalya and Louise become friends, it is not lost on them that their countries - and husbands - could soon be at war. Stationed abroad and far from home, they bond through their shared passion for contributing to a local orphanage. Their unlikely friendship seems unshakeable until news of their husbands’ gentleman’s wager appears in a Finnish daily newspaper and is soon picked up by editorials around the world. Suddenly, what began as competition between friends becomes Communism vs. Capitalism, Socialism vs. Democracy - each nation unwilling to be embarrassed on the world stage while peace remains tenuous at best.
The book has a great premise. It’s essentially a less-popcorny version of Rocky IV, infused with political tension and Cold War–era intrigue. But like skiing in the vast backcountry during inclement weather, it’s easy to lose your way - and Cold Victory does just that in its closing chapters.
At first, I really enjoyed the relationship between the wives, which takes more of the spotlight than the ski competition around which the book revolves. Naturally, then, it was disappointing when Louise’s smart, independent, Oklahoma-folksy character ultimately embodies what foreigners view as equal parts arrogance and ignorance in Americans. The brotherhood between Mikhail and Arnie is likewise magnetic. I appreciated their many exchanges where they could disagree as soldiers but agree as men, sharing their experiences of war and their love of skiing (though I do wish Marlantes had spent more time on the skiing and less on their significant others). Natalya, too, is a strong character. Marlantes has a gift for writing inherently tragic figures, and in Natalya’s case, the tragedy hits as hard as vodka is strong.
Having built a strong appreciation for Marlantes’ work, I wanted this novel to be so much more than it was. In the end, it seems Marlantes was content to frustrate readers, leaving an ending that is maddeningly neat and closed while somehow also open and unfulfilling.
3.5 out of 5
January 31, 2025
I’m on a run: three 5-star books in a row.
In late 1946, Arnie Koski arrives in Helsinki as military attache to the U.S. legation to Finland. His naïve, well-intentioned young bride, Louise, comes with him. Finland suffered greatly during World War Two, fighting first the Russians and then the Germans. The country is exhausted and impoverished by years of war, and the U.S. hopes to establish diplomatic relations, help the country to prosper and keep them in the Western Camp.
The Russians, of course, have other ideas.
At their first diplomatic party after they arrive, Arnie and Louise meet Mihail and Natalya Brobov. It’s a reunion for Arnie and Mihail. They first met near the end of the war in Austria when they were in their respective countries’ ski forces, as the Russian and American armies finally surrounded German forces. The men are happy to become reacquainted, and the women hit it off, too. The two couples become fast friends. But, all the while, they live under the strain of assuming that they are spying on each other. The strain is especially acute for Mihail and Natalya. They have a nanny in their home who may also be spying on them. And their government is very unforgiving of slip-ups.
Strong young men who miss the excitement of their war years, Arnie and Mihail challenge each other to a week-long skiing race in a remote Arctic part of Finland. Meanwhile, Natalya and Louise have developed a project together to help a Finnish orphanage. When Louise comes up with a very American and very ill-conceived idea to use the ski race to raise money for the orphanage, the stakes for everyone she loves suddenly soar.
This novel strongly portrays the contrast between Americans, whom the war touched only from a distance, and the Finns and Russians, who experienced all its brutality on their own soil. It also chillingly shows the iron grip of the Soviet secret police under Stalin, and how the fear it induced could make ordinary people do unimaginable things.
This one’s a real page-turner and a real heart-breaker.
Like my reviews? Check out my blog
Author of The Saint's Mistress
In late 1946, Arnie Koski arrives in Helsinki as military attache to the U.S. legation to Finland. His naïve, well-intentioned young bride, Louise, comes with him. Finland suffered greatly during World War Two, fighting first the Russians and then the Germans. The country is exhausted and impoverished by years of war, and the U.S. hopes to establish diplomatic relations, help the country to prosper and keep them in the Western Camp.
The Russians, of course, have other ideas.
At their first diplomatic party after they arrive, Arnie and Louise meet Mihail and Natalya Brobov. It’s a reunion for Arnie and Mihail. They first met near the end of the war in Austria when they were in their respective countries’ ski forces, as the Russian and American armies finally surrounded German forces. The men are happy to become reacquainted, and the women hit it off, too. The two couples become fast friends. But, all the while, they live under the strain of assuming that they are spying on each other. The strain is especially acute for Mihail and Natalya. They have a nanny in their home who may also be spying on them. And their government is very unforgiving of slip-ups.
Strong young men who miss the excitement of their war years, Arnie and Mihail challenge each other to a week-long skiing race in a remote Arctic part of Finland. Meanwhile, Natalya and Louise have developed a project together to help a Finnish orphanage. When Louise comes up with a very American and very ill-conceived idea to use the ski race to raise money for the orphanage, the stakes for everyone she loves suddenly soar.
This novel strongly portrays the contrast between Americans, whom the war touched only from a distance, and the Finns and Russians, who experienced all its brutality on their own soil. It also chillingly shows the iron grip of the Soviet secret police under Stalin, and how the fear it induced could make ordinary people do unimaginable things.
This one’s a real page-turner and a real heart-breaker.
Like my reviews? Check out my blog
Author of The Saint's Mistress
September 13, 2024
Rating: 8/10. Set in post-WW2 Finland, this is an exciting and surprisingly complex case study of what boundaries governments (and people) are willing to compromise for geopolitical goals. I also admired the render family dynamics threaded through this novel, especially against the backdrop of Communist politics and spy warfare.
“Finns aren’t cold, they just warm up slow” (20).
“Pride… it’s the fumes in the empty gas tank” (57).
“Maybe if you’re pessimistic enough, you sail off because the future holds nothing for you at home” (67).
“There are always these moments in a new friendship where a decision about how much to reveal must be made. The fear is that revealing too much might end the budding relationship. The reality is that not revealing what truly matters will ensure that the relationship remains superficial” (p. 87).
“Free and easy discourse was the first casualty of the loss of privacy” (p. 144).
“Louise knew she had her dander up. It was always the same. Basic needs never included the basic need of every society on earth: to teach the children how to think” (151).
“The government could lie. It was for the good of the People. People, however, could not lie. That was bad for the government” (161).
“There is no such thing as neutrality, just cowardice about choosing sides” (180).
“‘Facts’ being true or untrue depending on the needs of those in power didn’t just impact politics; it undermined the bedrock of civilization: love, relationship, family, and friends” (203).
“Americans took risks. Their country had never experienced any great loss, so of course they were optimistic and adventurous. Russians were an essentially conservative people, slow to change, steeped in centuries of history—and tragedy” (263).
“Sisu was about toughness in the face of what other cultures would call hopelessness. It was about enduring” (265).
“No matter how dirty politics gets, it’s never as dirty as war” (325).
“Finns aren’t cold, they just warm up slow” (20).
“Pride… it’s the fumes in the empty gas tank” (57).
“Maybe if you’re pessimistic enough, you sail off because the future holds nothing for you at home” (67).
“There are always these moments in a new friendship where a decision about how much to reveal must be made. The fear is that revealing too much might end the budding relationship. The reality is that not revealing what truly matters will ensure that the relationship remains superficial” (p. 87).
“Free and easy discourse was the first casualty of the loss of privacy” (p. 144).
“Louise knew she had her dander up. It was always the same. Basic needs never included the basic need of every society on earth: to teach the children how to think” (151).
“The government could lie. It was for the good of the People. People, however, could not lie. That was bad for the government” (161).
“There is no such thing as neutrality, just cowardice about choosing sides” (180).
“‘Facts’ being true or untrue depending on the needs of those in power didn’t just impact politics; it undermined the bedrock of civilization: love, relationship, family, and friends” (203).
“Americans took risks. Their country had never experienced any great loss, so of course they were optimistic and adventurous. Russians were an essentially conservative people, slow to change, steeped in centuries of history—and tragedy” (263).
“Sisu was about toughness in the face of what other cultures would call hopelessness. It was about enduring” (265).
“No matter how dirty politics gets, it’s never as dirty as war” (325).
December 20, 2023
This story is told in third person and follows the two wives of military attachés posted to Finland at the end of WWII, one from America and one from Russia. Their husbands met during the war facing adversity together and now just want to celebrate life. However, their novice positions perhaps require more finesse than their prior experiences necessitated. Though there is a language barrier between the two wives, they develop a somewhat tremulous friendship built on their similar positions and mutual respect for their husbands and family.
Louise, the American wife, appears quite naïve at times, not understanding the ramifications of personal missteps and the consequences that others with less freedom may face. The severe political pressure on Natalya and her family due to Russian espionage was incredibly invasive. Natalya lived in constant fear for her family while the oblivious Louise attempted to bring everyone together to help the Finnish orphans.
I learned a lot about the history of Finland both before, during and after the war. There was a suspensive aspect to this story as the ski race between the American and the Russian across the isolated countryside develops bringing both physical and political dangers. The reluctance on the locals’ part to help or even to hinder either skier was horrifying in its justification.
Recommended to readers that enjoy political tension, friendships formed in an environment of adversity and those interested in a different WWII setting than the usual suspects.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for a copy provided for an honest review.
Louise, the American wife, appears quite naïve at times, not understanding the ramifications of personal missteps and the consequences that others with less freedom may face. The severe political pressure on Natalya and her family due to Russian espionage was incredibly invasive. Natalya lived in constant fear for her family while the oblivious Louise attempted to bring everyone together to help the Finnish orphans.
I learned a lot about the history of Finland both before, during and after the war. There was a suspensive aspect to this story as the ski race between the American and the Russian across the isolated countryside develops bringing both physical and political dangers. The reluctance on the locals’ part to help or even to hinder either skier was horrifying in its justification.
Recommended to readers that enjoy political tension, friendships formed in an environment of adversity and those interested in a different WWII setting than the usual suspects.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for a copy provided for an honest review.
December 20, 2023
Set in 1947 Helsinki, Cold Victory by Karl Marlantes is an absolutely engrossing and extraordinary Historical Fiction story about politics, relationships and loyalties during a very uncertain post WWII era. The history is very informative and I enjoyed learning more.
American Louise and her Finnish American husband Arnie are hired to ease tensions as diplomats in Finland. Louise is trained in diplomacy and social situations but makes naive blunders which place others at risk. Her heart is in orphanage work and her desire is to raise money in a raffle, a Western idea which has potentially frightening and dangerous repercussions. Married couple Ukrainian Mikail and his Russian wife Natalya are thrown together with Louise and Arnie. One evening the two men who are old friends get drunk and challenge each other to a long-distance ski race. But it unfortunately gets leaked to the press and the story becomes politicized, drawing the USA and USSR into possible political challenges. The reader follows the race itself, the raffle idea in the media and the lengths the women go to in clash prevention.
My favourite aspects were the setting and sizzling political undercurrents with a fabulous sense of foreboding and danger on every page. The pace is quick and sharp and characters interesting. I zipped through the story at breakneck speed to see how it would end yet hung onto every word.
If you seek something unusual and are eager to expand your knowledge about historical tensions between Finland and USSR, do add this to your list.
My sincere thank you to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this fascinating novel.
American Louise and her Finnish American husband Arnie are hired to ease tensions as diplomats in Finland. Louise is trained in diplomacy and social situations but makes naive blunders which place others at risk. Her heart is in orphanage work and her desire is to raise money in a raffle, a Western idea which has potentially frightening and dangerous repercussions. Married couple Ukrainian Mikail and his Russian wife Natalya are thrown together with Louise and Arnie. One evening the two men who are old friends get drunk and challenge each other to a long-distance ski race. But it unfortunately gets leaked to the press and the story becomes politicized, drawing the USA and USSR into possible political challenges. The reader follows the race itself, the raffle idea in the media and the lengths the women go to in clash prevention.
My favourite aspects were the setting and sizzling political undercurrents with a fabulous sense of foreboding and danger on every page. The pace is quick and sharp and characters interesting. I zipped through the story at breakneck speed to see how it would end yet hung onto every word.
If you seek something unusual and are eager to expand your knowledge about historical tensions between Finland and USSR, do add this to your list.
My sincere thank you to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this fascinating novel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews