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Petersburg

Four people swept up in the turmoil of the Russian Revolution experience the bitter struggles, courageous calls to arms, and passionate love--both personal and patriotic--that carry them through a time of staggering conflicts and changes

541 pages, Hardcover

First published August 18, 1988

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About the author

Emily Hanlon

14 books16 followers
Novelist, and a writing and creativity coach.

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Community Reviews

5 stars
11 (20%)
4 stars
13 (24%)
3 stars
20 (37%)
2 stars
8 (15%)
1 star
1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Profile Image for Sarah Mac.
1,206 reviews
March 24, 2017
Nope. DNF & good riddance.

It's just so freakin' tedious. Everyone stands around talking about philosophy & occasionally making an innuendo, then they introduce each other to MORE people & expound on further philosophy. Zzzz. I've only been genuinely interested in two scenes -- one had cannibal peasants, while the other had wall sex. :P

Why do Russian-set novels (almost) always sound like this?? So stilted & herky-jerky. (And wtf is the use of a character index that doesn't have half the characters included?? Every time I look someone up, they're not in it. *glower*)

Anyway...I'm over you, Petersburg. Bye-bye.
1,185 reviews
July 23, 2011
A very long novel about the early days of the Russian Revolution. Bit of a pot boiler, but good background to the revolution nevertheless. I did find the story of Anna wandered a bit - did we really need to know that she had a breakdown early on when she was going to be forcibly married to the old count? And it was a shame that I didn't really feel any emotion when the love of her life Alexei was killed.
49 reviews
June 14, 2022
Very difficult to read - difficult names to try to keep up with and flashbacks are confusing. Did not enjoy at all.
1 review
October 23, 2019
My verdict: Phenomenally underrated.

A book of such high caliber shot down by the ignorant critics ( Just because they didn't like it to their taste) enraged me. I say ignore them.

Its worth reading. The plot is beautifully threaded, and the scenic beauty explained along with the emotions of each character is stunning. ( Also, not to mention - the backgrounds of the characters).

Keeps you immersed man! Give it a go.
1 review
January 5, 2020
In my humble opinion this book is an absolute beauty and a masterpiece work of art. I completely loved it from start to finish. If you have social justice and human rights close at heart, you have that world-changing rebel spirit within you and you are a hopeless romantic, this book is for you. A very well done and thank you for the experience to Ms. Hanlon.
11 reviews
April 4, 2019
Prolix, but with a good storyline and background. A rather abrupt and brusque disconcerting ending though.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews