Utajovaný projev

Leo Demidov #2

by Tom Rob Smith

Sovětský svaz, rok 1956. Stalin je po smrti a neveřejný, utajovaný projev jeho nástupce Chruščova odhaluje pravdu o spáchaných zločinech. Krutý režim se otřásá v základech. Někdejší příslušník Státní bezpečnosti Lev Děmidov a jeho manželka Raisa – hrdinové románu Dítě číslo 44 – řeší problémy s adoptovanými dcerami Zojou a Jelenou. Rodinu navíc ohrožuje na životě kdosi, kdo během někdejší Děmidovovy kariéry nespravedlivě trpěl a teď kráčí vstříc nesmiřitelné pomstě... Děj drsného a napínavého příběhu z pera Toma Roba Smithe vrcholí tentokrát na ulicích Budapešti ve dnech povstání proti komunistické vládě a sovětské okupaci.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Russia, Historical

349 pages, Hardcover

First published April 6, 2009

About the author

Tom Rob Smith (born 1979) is an English writer. The son of a Swedish mother and an English father, Smith was raised in London where he lives today. After graduating from Cambridge University in 2001, he completed his studies in Italy, studying creative writing for a year. After these studies, he worked as a scriptwriter.

His first novel, Child 44, about a series of child murders in Stalinist Russia, appeared in early 2008 and was translated into 17 languages. It was awarded the 2008 Ian Fleming Steel Dagger for Best Thriller of the year by the Crime Writer's Association. It was recently a Barnes & Noble recommended book. On July 29, 2008 the book was named on the long list for the 2008 Man Booker Prize. In November 2008, he was nominated for the 2008 Costa First Novel Award (former Whitbread).

Child 44 followed-up by The Secret Speech (2009)and Agent 6 (2011).

Japanese: トム ロブ スミス

Reviews

[Jayson · Rating 3 out of 5]

(B) 73% | More than Satisfactory
Notes: After a promising first third it veers way off course. Set amidst real history, some parts are too absurd to be plausible.

[Federico DN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghosts of Tyrannies Past.

Several years after “Child 44”, Leo Demidov is the head of the newly created Homicide Department. Abandoning his old job at MGB, Leo is trying to leave his dark past behind as officer of the secret police to build a better future with Raisa and their two adopted daughters. However, the precarious stability doesn’t last long. After Stalin’s death, Khrushchev succeeds him with a speech full of reforms that will create that much chaos as the one intended to leave behind with the old Stalinist regime. The secret police were criminals, and the criminals were innocent. With an oppressed society for so much time under the reign of terror, everything will turn, giving away to hunt and vengeance to settle old scores. Leo’s past will haunt him again, and though he intends to protect them, him and his whole family will pay for it.

This was a very good sequel, although not as good as the unforgettable Child 44. Leo and Raisa two characters as complex and resilient as ever. The conflict with Zoya felt perfectly portrayed and real. The suffocating atmosphere and the danger at every corner making each page a potential tragedy waiting to happen. All the backstory behind Fraera was fascinating and her antagonism was masterful. An excellent continuation, fast paced, action packed, dark, gripping, harrowing, and memorable. Recommendable.

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PERSONAL NOTE :
[2009] [416p] [Thriller] [Historical] [Recommendable]
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★★★★★ 1. Child 44
★★★★☆ 2. The Secret Speech
★★★☆☆ 3. Agent 6 [2.5]

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Fantasmas de las Tiranías Pasadas.

Varios años después de “Niño 44”, Leo Demidov se encuentra al frente del nuevo creado Departamento de Homicidos. Abandonado su antiguo empleo en MGB, Leo intenta dejar atrá su oscuro pasado como agente de la policía secreta para forjar un futuro mejor con Raisa y sus dos hijas adoptadas. Sin embargo, la precaria estabilidad dura poco. A la muerte de Stalin, le sucede Khrushchev con un discurso lleno de reformas que creará tanto caos como el que se intentaba dejar atrás con el viejo régimen stalinista. La policía secreta eran criminales, y los criminales eran inocentes. Con una sociedad oprimida por tanto tiempo bajo el yugo del terror, todo se dará vuelta, dando lugar a la caza y la venganza para saldar viejas cuentas. El pasado de Leo vuelve a perseguirlo, y aunque intente protegerlos, él y toda su familia pagarán por ello.

Esta fue una muy buena secuela, aunque no tan buena como el inolvidable Niño 44. Leo y Raisa dos personajes tan complejos y resilientes como siempre. El conflicto con Zoya se sintió perfectamente retratado y real. La atmósfera asfixiante y el peligro en cada esquina haciendo cada página una potencial tragedia esperando suceder. Toda la historia detrás de Fraera resutó fascinante y su antagonismo fue magistral. Una excelente continuación, de ritmo rápido, con mucha acción, oscura, atrapante, angustiante, y memorable. Recomendable.

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NOTA PERSONAL :
[2009] [416p] [Thriller] [Histórica] [Recomendable]
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[Supratim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rating is actually 3.5 but I have no choice to round it off to 4 as 3 would have been a little less than what the book deserves.

I consider myself lucky because this novel is available in my library along with the final book in the trilogy. The Secret Speech is the second book in the Leo Demidov trilogy and it follows Child 44.

This novel takes us back to the bleak world of the former USSR where people betray their friends, neighbors, colleagues and even family to the state. A slip of tongue can send you to the Gulags, a suicide can ruin the lives of the person's family because the state does not approve of suicides. The state is trying to change but the dangers of living in a totalitarian regime is still there. The plot revolves around Krushchev's Secret Speech and the repercussions it would unleash.

Leo has been allowed to run a homicide division and he has adopted two girls - Zoya and Elena, whose parents had been murdered when Leo had raided their home in the last book. Leo had tried to protect them but Zoya could never forgive Leo whom she wrongly accused of killing her parents. Childhood trauma can damage a person to such an extent that the savior can appear to be a monster.

Something from the past has returned and is seeking retribution and not just from Leo but it seems that anybody connected to the State security apparatus is no longer safe.

The author’s skill in creating an atmosphere of fear, tension and suspense is still in full force. Most of the book is so fast-paced that you will lose track of time. Danger, action, chases, rogue prison officials and guards, cult-like criminal gangs – all these would keep you absorbed in the book.

As a thriller it is as good as any – I would say better than many but only when it is compared with Child 44, then, well it does not reach the standard reached by the former. Child 44 focused on mystery but this one is all about action – fire fights, fist fights, brutality, rebellion in ship carrying prisoners and Gulag, uprising in Hungary. I do understand why some people who loved the previous book gave low ratings to this one – maybe they did not enjoy so much violence. Readers who enjoy or don’t mind such action and gore would enjoy this book.

I also felt that the author has gone overboard in hurling danger, deprivation and mental anguish on Leo. He has turned Leo into something like a super agent – a Russian Jason Bourne.

The author has also tried to add dimensions to most of the characters and tried to infuse them with human weaknesses – people at times refuse to accept the truth, man’s need for redemption pushes him towards the bottle while some try to find it in the illusion of a happy family. Some of the characters also embody the ugliness of the human nature – betrayal and hatred. Those in power can stoop to any level to hold onto their status and idealistic people are so easy to manipulate.

My only problem with the book is MELODRAMA. In my humble opinion, there is too much of it. Maybe the author was trying to portray the human side of the characters but it was a bit too much for me. I would not give way any spoilers but Zoya’s change of heart and some of the actions of the apparently main villain did not make much sense.

This novel is just for some escapist entertainment. I have tried to portray what sort of book this one is and it’s up to you if you would like to give it a try.

[Maria Clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/ ¿Qué puedo decir? Cada lector tiene una afinidad diferente y, cuando encuentra la nota perfecta para su partitura, vibra. Pues bien, yo he encontrado mi melodía. Me encanta la pluma de este hombre y la pasmosa facilidad con que me envuelve en su mundo.

[Scarlett Readz and Runz....Through Novel Time & Distance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel was a lot more politically motivated then the previous one and serves a good sense of the internal conflict the citizens felt under Stalin's reign. The plot and events of this novel lead to the 1956 uprising in Hungary 3 years after Stalin’s death.

“The system required the consent of everyone, even if they consented by doing nothing.”
― Tom Rob Smith

Leo Demidov is now leading his own homicide department and lives with his wife Raisa and two adopted girls Zoya and Elena whom they try to parent the best they can. They have their issues as a blended family and Zoya, the older one of the two girls, is actually plotting to kill Leo to avenge the death of her birth parents.

In the meantime, Khrushchev’s (Stalin’s successor) secret speech has leaked and is spreading like wildfire, exposing henchmen of the former regime. Forward comes Fraera from Leo’s past trying to hunt him down and using old and new secrets against him and his wife. The action takes the reader from Gulag transport ships to Budapest into the middle of the uprising where Stalin’s stature is taken down and destroyed. Fraera is playing them all and using Zoya’s hatred to tear the family apart. Can Leo save his family?

“I had no choice" with those words thousands died, not with bullets but with perverse logic and careful reasoning.” ― Tom Rob Smith

This book was action packed with adequate timing in my opinion. This would make a great movie. It never went over the top but kept me interested as the plot went on evenly spaced the entire time. I enjoyed the thriller combo with the historical elements and descriptions. It never got dull and seldom did I anticipate what would happen around the corner. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Britany · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book in the Leo Demidov series picks up shortly after the fall of Stalin, Russia in the 1950s. I was excited to pick this one up, because I loved the first book, and it didn't disappoint off the bat. It held up keeping a quick pace and just as action packed as the first. Suddenly, around the second half, it's almost as though the writing was completely different. The chapter cliffhangers ended and the book turned into a sappy narrative, rather than leaving me wanting more. Don't get me wrong, there were still powerful moments, but the second half of the book fell completely flat from the first half. Nothing left to figure out and the author added in a couple of scenarios that really felt disingenuous.

I will be requesting the third book soon- as I have to finish the trilogy.

[Metodi Markov · Rating 2 out of 5]

Общо взето се разочаровах доста от продължението на “Дете 44”.

Авторът е заложил силно на сензационното и на разни фантасмагории, което уби за мен историята на Лев.

И да, чекистите никога и за нищо не са съжалявали! Зверове в човешка кожа, масови убийци и мъчители, отвратителна утайка и позор за човешкия род са те!!!

Цитати:

"Системата се нуждаеше от съдействието на всички, дори ако това съгласие се изразяваше в пълно неучастие."

"Свободата се извоюва постепенно, стъпка по стъпка, за нея трябва да се бориш."

[آبتین گلکار · Rating 4 out of 5]

از لحاظ کشش و جذابیت به پای«کودک 44» نمی‌رسه، ولی تصویر واقعی‌تری از روزگار بعد از مرگ استالین و روی کار اومدن خروشچوف و شل کردن نسبی بگیر و ببندها ارائه می‌ده

[Rodrigo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ha gustado, pero menos que el primero, la historia ha sufrido altibajos de ritmo y eso lo ha penado en la puntuación.
Sigue siendo genial la ambientación y vemos al protagonista Leo, bastante cambiado respecto al 1º libro, si bien es cierto que el contexto político y social en Rusia está cambiando...
Valoración: 7.75/10
Sinopsis: Unión Soviética, 1956: la muerte de Stalin marca el principio del fi n de un sistema donde la policía actuaba como criminales. Aunque Jruschev promete reformar el país, hay fuerzas que no son capaces ni de olvidar ni de reconciliarse con los nuevos tiempos. Leo Demidov, antiguo oficial del Ministerio parala Seguridad Estatal, se enfrenta a su propio pasado. Sus hijas, él y su mujer, se encuentran en un grave peligro: alguien trata de ejecutar despiadadamente su particular venganza.

[Kristine · Rating 1 out of 5]

So disappointed in this sequel to Child 44--a fascinating thriller set in Stalinist Soviet Union with an MGB officer hunting a serial killer under a political regime which denies the possibility that such a killer could exist. The Secret Speech features the same officer, now a homicide investigator, post-Stalinist under Khrushchev, trying to rescue his kidnapped adopted daughter who despises him. In Child 44 the characters were credible and dimensional; in The Secret Speech they are ridiculous caricatures furthering a completely unbelievable plot that spirals out of control. It's particularly disappointing because clearly the author can write well.

[Skorofido Skorofido · Rating 1 out of 5]

Παρά τις φήμες πως είμαι σκληρόκαρδο κατά βάθος έχω την καρδιά ενός μαρουλιού… όταν ξεκινώ ένα βιβλίο, πάντα πιστεύω πως θα διαβάσω ένα ωραίο βιβλίο που ταιριάζει στα θέλω εκείνης της στιγμής… αυτό σημαίνει πως ξεκινώ πάντα με όλη την καλή διάθεση να βάλω ένα πεντάρι… αλλά θέλω ν’αγιάσω και δεν μ’αφήνουν!!!
Το «παιδί 44» ήταν ένα πολύ ωραίο πρωτόλειο και εξίσου το «τεσσαράκι» παρά τις όποιες του αδυναμίες… όμως μάλλον η επιτυχία έπεσε σαν τούβλο στο κεφάλι του συγγραφέα κι αυτός καλά έκανε γιατί μπορεί να έλυσε το πρόβλημα της ζωής του, εμείς όμως τι φταίμε;
Οι βασικοί πρωταγωνιστές είναι οι ίδιοι με το πρώτο βιβλίο, ο Λέο και η Ράισα, στην οικογένεια έχουν προστεθεί και τα δύο κορίτσια, η Ζόγια και η Ελένα… Η υπόθεση πλέον διαδραματίζεται την εποχή του Χρουστσόφ, λίγο μετά το θάνατο του πατερούλη Στάλιν, λίγο από γκούλαγκ, λίγο από επανάσταση στη Βουδαπέστη…
Όμως αυτό το βιβλίο φάνηκε πως δεν γράφτηκε για βιβλίο… πως ο συγγραφέας είχε ευθύς εξ αρχής στο μυαλό του πως θα έγραφε ένα βιβλίο για να γίνει ταινία… ήταν σαν να διαβάζω ένα extended σενάριο… όμως εάν ήθελα κάτι σεναριακό θα έβλεπα μια ταινία…
Ρηχοί χαρακτήρες, ιστορικά γεγονότα ατάκτως ειρημένα, άχρηστες λεπτομέρειες στις σκηνές δράσεις σαν να δίνονται σκηνοθετικές οδηγίες στους ηθοποιούς, πλοκή χωρίς συνοχή, ανατροπή για την ανατροπή, να πιέσουμε το συναίσθημα… oh no man! Και είναι τόσο κρίμα η διαφορά ανάμεσα στο πρώτο και στο δεύτερο να είναι αβυσσαλέα…

[Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s shocking how many people will commit atrocities and cruelty provided the actions are respected, sanctioned by the governing forces, and the persecutors are well paid. History is splattered with incidents like this, and while I do believe a lot of this blind obedience or indifference comes from the way persecutors were raised as children, it’s obvious other variables come into consideration. As human beings, we tend to lean toward societal norms, so if it’s part of a society to persecute, then I think many people will follow that.

So what happens if society changes, and the people who did the persecuting are now on the other end getting persecuted themselves. Do those people deserve to redeem themselves? Do they deserve to atone? These are some of the great questions that The Secret Speech asks, and since it’s such a shadowy subject, Smith’s book is dark and grim. There are a lot of unanswered questions, and there is a vague, duel morality which I admired.

I didn’t love this book quite as much as Child 44 though. The characters didn’t always mesh with me. While I thought the cold calculating Fraera was a great villain, I had trouble sympathizing with Zora, who struck me as a sanctimonious pain-in-the-ass, carrying her gargantuan chip-on-her-shoulder like it was a great virtue. I know teens act like this, but damn she was annoying. Consequently I wasn’t that concerned about her well-being.

Based off a true historic event (Khrushchev’s speech denouncing Stalin) The Secret Speech is about an underground organization that is persecuting past MGB officers and denouncers, and of course Leo Demidov is right up there on the list. This puts him in a very dangerous situation. It also makes Leo do some reflecting about his crimes. He is haunted by the past. Yet he wants to atone.

I thought The Secret Speech would be a mystery, but it’s not. It’s more of a thriller, with Leo going from one bad scrape to the next, some of his escapes more than a little implausible. Smith likes to play around with history (which I admire) shuffling Leo around so he can be at unlikely incidents like the Hungarian revolution. Unfortunately Smith isn’t quite as deft at doing this as Alexandre Dumas. The plot is dictating to the characters instead of the characters creating their own destinies. This makes the story feel less organic.

Despite its flaws though, this is an intriguing and suspenseful story. I recommend it. I’m giving it ****. I will definitely read book three. :D

[Journeywoman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was brilliant.

I loved Child 44. Gave it 4 stars. I didn't believe people when they said that this was better.

It is. I could hardly put this book down, and yet I read it slowly savoring every twist in plot, every nuance of the characters growth.

This is one of THOSE books. One that will stay with you and make you question what you would do in the situation that the characters are in. There are no easy answers and you're swept along as these three dimensional people search for any answer.

I highly recommend this book.

[Farnaz Farid · Rating 3 out of 5]

خب از اول بگم که من کتاب اول رو خیلی بیشتر دوست داشتم،
و هیجان خیلی بالایی داشت .
اما این کتاب هم خوب بود شاید اگه کتاب اول رو نخونده یودم به این کتاب امتیاز بالاتری می دادم اما کتاب اول حسابی توقع منو برد بالا.

توو این کتاب با شوروی یعد از استالین رو به رو‌ می شیم و قدرت کا گ ب کمتر میشه و خب به طبع ش بگیر ببندها کمتر میشه .

لئو در دایره قتل خدمت می کنه اما همچنان نقص سیستم حکومتی پذیرفته نیست .

لئو و لایسا در آخر جلد قبل دو کودک رو که لئو باعث نابودی زندگی خودشون و والدین شون شده بود رو به سرپرستی میگیرن و کودک بزرگتر زویا از لئو متنفره ...

علاوه بر شوروی ما با آشوب های مجارستان هم رو به رو می شیم. .

ترجمه: خوب
امتیازم : ۳/۷

پ.ن: وای نگم براتون از صدای تایماز رضوانی 😍 آخه آدم اینقدرررر جذاب می خونه کتاب رو که نتونی گوش ندی؟
خلاصه این جلدم با صدای جذاب تایماز گوش کنید و لذت ببرید .




۱۲

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the first book in this trilogy. I absolutely loved this second book.

If Child 44 was Star Wars, The Secret Speech is The Empire Strikes Back.

Unlike the first book, which was sinister and gut-wrenching in the hunt for a twisted child killer, The Secret Speech is more action-packed. It's edge of your seat stuff and it hardly gives the reader a chance to take a breath.

There are gangsters, prison riots, torture scenes, chases through sewers and across frozen wastes, disasters at sea, open warfare, knife fights, plane crashes, brutal murders and more... but at its heart its a story about family and love and how far people who truly love each other will go to ensure the safety of their loved ones.

For all the action and stomach-churning violence, this book has heart. In the final scenes, I was fighting to hold back tears.

[Alam · Rating 4 out of 5]

داستان در مورد مامور سابق ام.جی.بی لئو دمیدوف هست که در جلد اول (کودک ۴۴) متوجه جنایات غیرانسانی این سازمان میشه و از اونجا خارج میشه و در دایره قتل مشغول به کار میشه. لئو و همسرش،رایسا، دو خواهر به نام‌های زویا و النا رو به سرپرستی میگیرن که لئو در جلد اول به نوعی در قتل والدینشون نقش داشته و همین موضوع باعث تنفر خواهر بزرگتر از لئو و نظامی که در اون زندگی میکنه میشه. در همین حین یکی از افرادی که در سال های چکیست بودنِ لئو توسط اون فریب خورده و دستگیر شده برای انتقام برمیگرده که در این حین پای خانواده لئو هم به این ماجرا باز میشه. اینجاست که خیانت های بسیاری رخ میده و تصمیمات بسیاری گرفته میشه تا لئو خودش رو به عنوان انسانی متفاوت از گذشته‌اش به خانواده‌اش ثابت کنه غافل از اینکه پاک کردنِ گذشته بهای بسیار سنگینی داره و گاهی حتی غیرممکن به نظر میرسه.


بالاخره جلد دوم کتاب “کودک ۴۴” رو خوندم و بسیار هم از این بابت خوشحالم.
کتاب تا حدود صفحات ۳۸۰ به قطعیت امتیاز ۴ رو میتونست بگیره ولی بعد از اون یکم تخیلی شد و شانس، جای منطق رو گرفت که خب من ترجیح میدادم اینطوری نباشه. در حقیقت امتیاز ۳/۵ مناسب ترینه ولی چون ۳ هم خیلی کم بود به ۴ رضایت دادم؛ باشد که نویسنده هم از ما راضی باشه.
مثل جلد قبلی تصویرگری‌های بسیار جذاب و دقیقی داشت که باعث شد کلی تو فضای استالینی و سیاه اون زمان سِیر کنم و از هنر نویسنده‌ی انگلیسیِ کتاب لذت ببرم که چطور انقدر خوب از پسِ وصف شوروی براومد. نویسنده‌ی ریزبین به خوبی تونست از پس شخصیت‌پردازی‌ها هم بر بیاد و خشم، نفرت، عشق، فداکاری، خیانت، از خودگذشتگی، پشیمانی، انتقام، حسادت و قدرت طلبی رو در قالب شخصیت‌هایی متفاوت در داستان قرار بده.
از نکات منفی کتاب هم این بود که هرچقدر اوایل نویسنده با جزئیات کامل شرح ماوقع کرد اواخر خسته شد و سَمْبَل کرد و فقط خواست به نتیجه برسه البته منظورم این نیست که جزئیات به همون شدت ادامه پیدا میکردن که اگه اینطور بود محتملاً خسته کننده میشد اما دوس داشتم یه تناسبی بین میزان این جزئیات باشه. دومین نکته منفی هم در مورد زویا بود که نفهمیدم چی شد در عرض دو هفته انقدر تغییر عقیده داد!
به طور کلی کتابیه که هرچند خط داستانی‌اش براساس تخیل نویسنده نوشته شده اما چون اماکن و یه سری از شخصیت‌ها رو طبق واقعیت انتخاب کرده باعث میشه که ارتباط بهتر و ب��شتری با کتاب گرفت و یه جورایی داستان رو باور کرد. قطعا برای سرگرمی و پروازِ خیال که به یه سفر پرهیجان بفرستیمش انتخاب خوبیه و ارزش خوندن داره.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it possible for someone who has committed terrible crimes to achieve redemption? That is the central question posed by Tom Rob Smith's riveting new book, The Secret Speech, sequel to last year's terrific, terrifying, and surprisingly moving, Child 44.

The Secret Speech opens in 1949, with young Leo Demidov's first case as an officer in the MGB, Stalin's secret police. Leo betrays a dissident priest and his wife, sending them both to the Gulag.

Flash forward to 1956; Leo is struggling to run Soviet Russia's first homicide unit. Meanwhile, he and Raisa try to raise their two adopted daughters, orphaned by a man under Leo's command when he was still in the MGB. Life is difficult; the police distrust Leo's unit, and Zoya, the older of his two daughters, hates him for his involvement in her parents' death, holding a knife against his throat while he sleeps.

The story kicks into gear when a controversial speech given by Khrushchev is distributed all over Russia, repudiating the horrors committed by the secret police under Stalin's rule. Immediately, MGB agents start dying, mysteriously murdered. Zoya is kidnapped by a gang of vory, brutal Russian gangsters, led by the priest's wife; the only way to get Zoya back is for Leo to go to the Gulag to break out the innocent man he sent there seven years earlier.

Leo is honestly ashamed of his crimes; his entire existence is centered around his efforts at atonement. But one after another, the characters in the story ask the same question; should someone who has brought so much anguish, torment and death to so many hundreds of innocent people be allowed the luxury of redemption?

[Elina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Παρόλο που οι πρώτες 150- 200 σελίδες μου φάνηκαν ιδιαίτερα κουραστικές, αφενός γιατί μπερδευόμουν με τα ονόματα, αφετέρου γιατί ίσως δεν ήμουν σίγουρη ότι ήθελα να διαβάσω το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο τη δεδομένη στιγμή, από τη μέση και μετά η πλοκή ήταν ασταμάτητη. Πολύ καλά δεμένη αφήγηση, δυνατοί και μοναδικοί χαρακτήρες χωρίς υπερβολές και ψεύτικα χαρακτηριστικά. Με λίγα λόγια μην το φοβηθείτε, διαβάστε το!!

[Richard Derus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.625* of five

This series of books, the life of Leo and Raisa in a newly post-Stalinist USSR, is cold and damp and gritty and scary. Those are the *good* parts of the life of these two oddly assorted people, who are trying to form a family from some very unlikely and unnatural and uncomfortable pieces. (Sounds like my family!)

This outing centers on events set in motion by the (factual) secret speech of the title: Khrushchev's "private" deunciation of Stalin's terror. While never reported, as in made a news story, the speech *was* widely circulated under the excuse that now the State was dismantling the cult of personality that Stalin left behind, the cult's leaders...teachers, policemen, et alii...needed to know to cease and desist.

Oh, and "incidentally", it was now open season on the powerful apparatchiks who maintained the terror.

Leo's life has just become that much more difficult, and that, my friends, is sayin' something.

I like that this book makes Leo's travails into high-risk travels to, for example, Budapest during the anti-Soviet rebellion of 1956. I liked the historical tenor of the story in general, this being a time and a place that's outside my Cold War-formed mindset.

What I find a little wearing is the relentlessness of the smackdowns Leo and Raisa endure. It starts to feel like they're being used by God as target practice. It's the story of Job with funny fur hats. I want the next one to be lighter, please, Mr. Smith.

But prepare for a serious thrill ride, y'all, and don't hesitate to get going in this series.

[☮Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

After being amazed by Child 44, I immediately put this, the next book in the series, on hold. While there are the expected similarities of characters, time, and place, this one did not measure up in the suspense department. And Leo has a few too many adventures and narrow escapes, in my opinion.
Still, Smith has an admirable ability to illustrate the paranoia and tumult of the post-Stalin period. His description of the Soviet citizens' reactions to Khrushev's Secret Speech, in which Stalin's sins are laid bare and perpetrators exposed, was an education to me. This was a period in history I knew not much about. I still love Leo in all his decency and multiple layers, and will be reading the last book in the trilogy soon.

[Vicky Ziliaskopoulou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Όταν το πήρα δεν ήξερα ότι ήταν συνέχεια από το "Παιδί 44", αλλιώς ίσως φρόντιζα να προμηθευτώ εκείνο πρώτα. Πάντως δεν είχα πρόβλημα να το διαβάσω, φαίνεται πως είναι αυτοτελή τα βιβλία, το καθένα μια ιστορία.
Γενικά, όποια βιβλία αναφέρονται στην ιστορία χωρών που ανήκαν στο λεγόμενο "Ανατολικό μπλοκ" και είχαν κλειστά τα σύνορά τους για τους πολίτες των υπόλοιπων κρατών, μου ασκούν μια γοητεία. Έτσι και αυτό, έχει αναφορές στη ζωή των πολιτών της Σοβιετικής Ένωσης λίγα χρόνια μετά το θάνατο του Στάλιν. Ο Λέο, πρώην αξιωματικός της Υπηρεσίας που ήταν υπεύθυνη να κάνει συλλήψεις των "αντιφρονούντων" με το Σταλινικό καθεστώς, τώρα ανήκει στο τμήμα ανθρωποκτονιών. Μέχρι που κάποια στιγμή αναγκάζεται να έρθει αντιμέτωπος με το παρελθόν του και να αντιμετωπίσει ανθρώπους που είχε στείλει στην εξορία (στα γκούλαγκ) προκειμένου να αντιμετωπίσει τις απαιτήσεις της Φράιρα, μιας γυναίκας την οικογένεια της οποίας είχε καταστρέψει στο παρελθόν.
Χωρίζω αυθαίρετα το βιβλίο σε τρία τμήματα και εξηγώ:
Στο πρώτο τμήμα, περίπου τις πρώτες 100- 120 σελίδες, η πλοκή είναι αργή. Αν εξαιρέσω τα πρώτα κεφάλαια που υπάρχει έντονη δράση αλλά δεν μπορούσα να καταλάβω τη σύνδεση μεταξύ τους ή με τα ακόλουθα κεφάλαια, είναι λίγο βαρετό. Μέχρι την εμφάνιση της Φράιρα.
Το δεύτερο τμήμα είναι πάρα πολύ ωραίο. Καθαρόαιμη περιπέτεια, με γρήγορη πλοκή, εξελίξεις που πολλές φορές με άφησαν με ανοιχτό στόμα και αναγκαζόμουν να ξαναδιαβάσω την πρόταση για να βεβαιωθώ ότι διάβασα σωστά. Εξιστορεί τις συνθήκες μεταφοράς των εξόριστων στα γκούλαγκ και τη ζωή τους εκεί, εντάσσοντας στην ιστορία και τον Λέο που ως πρώην μέλος της Υπηρεσίας Κρατικής Ασφαλείας αναγκάζεται να έρθει αντιμέτωπος με την οργή και το μίσος των ανθρώπων που ο ίδιος είχε στείλει στην εξορία. Είναι ξεκάθαρα το καλύτερο και πιο δυνατό μέρος του βιβλίου.
Τρίτο τμήμα: από τη στιγμή που επιστρέφει στην Μόσχα και ξανασυναντά τη Φράιρα. Δεν μου άρεσε. Η πλοκή ήταν σωστά ενταγμένη στο ιστορικό πλαίσιο, με αληθοφάνεια, αλλά δεν με κάλυψε η αιτιολόγηση των πράξεων των πρωταγωνιστών. Ιδιαίτερα η συμπεριφορά της Φράιρα με ξένισε αρκετά.
Σε γενικές γραμμές μου άρεσε το βιβλίο, ή μάλλον σωστότερα ο τρόπος γραφής του Smith, και θα ήθελα να διαβάσω και τα άλλα δύο βιβλία του.

Αν θέλετε την άποψή μου για περισσότερα βιβλία δείτε εδώ:
http://kiallovivlio.blogspot.gr/

[Veeral · Rating 4 out of 5]

No sophomore slump for Tom Rob Smith. The Secret Speech is better than Child 44.

“The Secret Speech” continues from where “Child 44” left off. Leo and Raisa are living with their two adopted girls, Zoya and Elena. But Zoya hates Leo for killing her parents and is seeking revenge. Meanwhile, Leo and Raisa are desperately trying to hold their family together.

While the troubles are brewing in the mismatched family, a new character, Fraera, yet another ghost from Leo’s guilt laden past comes back to haunt him. Her retaliatory actions would compel Leo to face the hardships of a transit ship (the infamous Gulag death ships), freezing hells of the Siberian Gulags and finally would plunge him and Raisa into the centre of a people’s uprising against their oppressive Communist rulers.

While “Child 44” suffered from the want of a more tightly woven plot, “The Secret Speech” more than delivers on that front. Initially, the plot seemed a bit far-fetched and unconvincing to me, but Smith wraps it all up quiet nicely in the end. Although this book is written in the same style as “Child 44”, the prose seems much refined here than in the previous book.

It’s a good sign that Tom Rob Smith seems to be improving as an author but I am not sure if a third book was required in the series as even the sub-plots from the first book are nicely wrapped up by the end of “The Secret Speech”. So, even though I liked the first two books, I am not sure whether I would read Agent 6 or not. Maybe it’s time for Smith to write a new book with different characters now. Leave Leo alone.

But as far as “The Secret Speech” is concerned, I highly recommend that you read it.

[Xabi1990 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es una segunda novela basada en los mismos personajes de El niño 44.

Como segunda parte pierde la frescura de la primera, la ambientación es básicamente la misma pero ahora, tras la muerte de Stalin, la trama se desarrolla bajo los inicios de la era Kruschev.
El libro está bien, no paras de leer porque te entra mono. Me gusta cómo maneja la intriga, los personajes y los capítulos.

Muy conveniente haberse leído antes el primero de la saga si se quiere leer este. Y si el otro os gusta, este también. Un poco menos posiblemente, pero también.

[Warda · Rating 3 out of 5]

[ 3.5 ] I loved this book for the most part. It's always incredibly insightful to find out about how a period in our history lived, to see that politics always seemed to be a dirty game of manipulation and power and how that still isn't changing. History does repeat itself. The character exploration and the writing was such a joy to read and extremely well done.

It's just the ending that just didn't sit well with me. It felt rushed and not as detailed as the other parts. It just reminded me of when we had to write out an essay for university - or any time during our educational years - and at the beginning, you're enthusiastic and you start off being prepared. Just when it's due and you've not made use of your time because of books and Netflix, you just write up a quick conclusion and rush the last paragraph.

I can't pinpoint exactly what about the story towards the end it was, but despite it, I enjoyed reading it a lot for the most part. I'm excited to see how it'll conclude.

[The Girl with the Sagittarius Tattoo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the one that explores whether there's any redemption (or forgiveness) for former MGB agents.

I liked this one more than Child 44, even though it was all about Leo's transgressions against the innocent citizens of Russia decades earlier while he was a young, ambitious agent of the state. The bigbad is a woman named Friere, formerly the wife of a church leader, now a nemesis born from Leo's past.

Personally, I would have given up on Zoya. Anyone who pulls a knife on me in my sleep does not get to stay in my house. It's one of my non-negotiable rules.

[Paria · Rating 5 out of 5]

در ادامه‌ی جلد اول، این بار وضعیت شوروی در دوران پس از استالین و زمانی که نیکیتا خروشچف از دوره‌ی استالین و عملکرد او و کا‌گ‌ب در اون دوران انتقاد میکنه، به تصویر کشیده میشه. زمانی که کشور دچار شورش میشه و از افسران کا‌گ‌ب انتقام‌گیری میشه. و لئو که بعد از وقایع جلد اول تلاش میکنه تا از کا‌گ‌ب و گذشته خودش فاصله بگیره، درگیر این موضوعات و انتقام‌گیری‌ها میشه.

جلد دوم کتاب هم فوق‌العاده جذاب و پرکشش بود و تصویر فوق‌العاده‌ای از اون دوران رو توی ذهن شکل میده. البته جلد اول این کتاب به‌قدری خوب بود که همچنان جلد اولش با اختلاف زیاد خیلی خیلی بهتر و قوی‌تره!

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Narrated by Colin Mace. 13 hrs and 52 mins


Description: Soviet Union, 1956: Stalin is dead. With his passing, a violent regime is beginning to fracture - leaving behind a society where the police are the criminals, and the criminals are innocent.

The catalyst comes when a secret manifesto composed by Stalin's successor, Khrushchev, is distributed to the entire nation. Its message: Stalin was a tyrant and a murderer. Its promise: The Soviet Union will transform. But there are forces at work that are unable to forgive or forget Stalin's tyranny so easily and demand revenge of the most appalling nature.

Meanwhile, former MGB officer Leo Demidov is facing his own turmoil. The two young girls he and his wife Raisa adopted have yet to forgive him for his involvement in the murder of their parents. They are not alone. Now that the truth is out, Leo, Raisa and their family are in grave danger from someone with a grudge against Leo. Someone transformed beyond recognition into the perfect model of vengeance.

RasPutin took against book one, so there is no better reason to keep on with this trilogy and even though this is not a great book it does cover some important history:

Khrushchev’s secret speech, (February 25, 1956), in Russian history, denunciation of the deceased Soviet leader Joseph Stalin made by Nikita S. Khrushchev to a closed session of the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. The speech was the nucleus of a far-reaching de-Stalinization campaign intended to destroy the image of the late dictator as an infallible leader and to revert official policy to an idealized Leninist model.

- Encyclopædia Britannica

Flatline 3*

3.5* Child 44 (Leo Demidov, #1)
3* The Secret Speech (Leo Demidov, #2)
TR Agent 6 (Leo Demidov, #3)

[Carol Storm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I stopped reading this book half way through, but I just want to post a review to warn people that this CHILD 44 sequel is not up there with THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK or THE GODFATHER PART II. It's more like ROCKY 2.

In the last book, KGB enforcer Leo Demidov was the ultimate bad-ass, somewhere between Charles Bronson and Charlie Manson. One minute he's beating up his own agents and the next he's sprinting through knee high snow drifts hopped up on biker crank, then swimming under a frozen river like Houdini! And then the excitement really begins as he's arrested, tortured, and told his wife doesn't love him anymore. The original book is an incredible classic. It's 1984 meets CHINATOWN, with prison escape scenes right out of COOL HAND LUKE and a love story worthy of OUTLANDER. Oh and there's a child-murdering serial killer thrown in just for comic relief!

But this sequel is totally stupid and boring. Leo has become a total wimp, he's a henpecked "Family Guy" who spends all his time worrying why a bratty adopted 13 year old doesn't love him enough. Then she gets kidnapped by -- get this -- the crazed wife of the first man Leo ever arrested. And don't ask me how a whiny little priest's wife suddenly morphs into Ma Barker, a deadly butch lesbian mobster with the uncanny ability to run through sewers and recruit pickpockets for her nefarious schemes.

The first book was believable. This one is absurd. AS IF the Soviet State is going to be blackmailed and terrified by some nasty old bag (that's a soomka in Russian) with a gang of sewer dwelling scumbags as muscle. AS IF the only way to placate Ma Barker is to have Leo do the old "sent to Siberia" routine on more time. AS IF anyone could care what happens to bratty little Zoya.

As Winston Smith once said, "You know, a real dystopia should never waste time on family melodrama. Besides, any man who hates dogs and children can't be all bad."

[Cristiana de Sousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ainda melhor que o primeiro! Mergulhar de novo naquele país e naquela época história foi ainda melhor que no primeiro volume. Sinto-me sempre fascinada pela época da URSS e voltar a sofrer com aquelas personagens os horrores de um regime tão macabro foi soberbo. O ponto forte do autor, além do enorme trabalho de investigação politica, é para mim, a enorme capacidade de construir personagens complexas, nada rasas, com inúmeras camadas. Banais e ao mesmo tempo especiais, porque se recusam a obedecer a um sistema autoritário. O enredo foi ainda melhor que no primeiro. Muito mais complexo e rixo. As tramas que foram acontecendo ao longo de cada capítulo ainda mais surpreendentes e chocantes. Estou desejosa de ler o último volume desta trilogia xD

[Jeanette (Ms. Feisty) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as gripping as Child 44. Well written but poorly organized, such that it's difficult to figure out what the real plot was intended to be. It does carry forward the main characters from Child 44, so if you want to stay "in the loop," so to speak, you need to read this one to be ready for the next one. It's not really a series, at least not yet, but the two books definitely follow a linear trajectory, so it may turn into a series of sorts.