Wake in Winter

by Nadezhda Belenkaya

Nina’s graduate program at Moscow University isn’t exactly cheap. So when she is offered work translating for Spanish families looking to adopt orphans from the provincial town of Rogozhin, she quickly agrees. Besides the much-needed money it brings, the job is a great opportunity for Nina to use her education to help people in hardship.

But soon she finds that nothing is as it seems. By the time Nina realizes that all too often the business of international adoption is not a humanitarian enterprise, she’s in too deep. Will she be able to navigate a world of exploitation and political corruption in order to help the children? Or should she return to the much simpler world of academia and leave the orphans behind?

Wake in Winter is a captivating story of one woman’s choice in the face of a shattering discovery.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Russia, World Literature, Ebooks, Amazon, Literary Fiction

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2016

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Wake in Winter" was my Kindle First selection for October. I chose it mostly because it was a translation - I figured if the book wasn't at least pretty good in Russian, no one would have made the effort to translate it into English, and I think I was right. I'm a little embarrassed I didn't finish the book until after it was published, because it deserves better than the mediocre reviews on Goodreads so far. Which is strange. I do enjoy disagreeing with people, but it's very rare that my opinion is so different from the Goodreads consensus.

On the surface, "Wake in Winter" is about the international adoption market in Russia. Nina is a doctoral student in a Moscow university who gets asked to translate for Spanish people looking to adopt Russian children. Suffice it to say, if the details of this book bear any resemblance to the reality of Russian adoption, it's very sad.

For me, the deeper levels of the novel were really interesting. First was the depiction of Russia itself. Coincidentally, I just finished a history of the Romanov dynasty (The Romanovs: 1613-1918) and even though I didn't much like that book, it was fascinating to compare a (fictional) depiction of modern Russia to the historical Russia of 100+ years ago.

More important was the development of Nina's character in the course of the book. At one point, I started to compare Nina to Walter White of "Breaking Bad." Starting out as a translator is admittedly not comparable to brewing methamphetamine, but Nina is asked to make small, incremental decisions during the course of the book that entwine her more deeply with the sordid adoption racket. Even though I could see her slowly losing herself, none of her individual decisions were really that terrible. Being able to see myself making similar decisions in her place really drew me into the story.

While not critical to my rating, I admit I enjoyed the clever touches here and there. I was amused to find this in a modern novel:

"I can’t read modern literature. It’s all superficial and simplistic. There’s simplicity, and then there’s simplicity, and that’s exactly what I don’t like. On first glance, yes, it’s clean and smooth. The subject matter is entertaining. But it’s unmemorable: I devour it, and then I forget about it. Like pop music or fast food, it’s quickly absorbed and then drops out of your mind."

Bold move by the author, inviting me to judge her book by these standards! (I think it passes)

There were a couple others. I don't want to give too much away, but one of them revolves around the opening line: "These events actually happened."

Lastly, I'll admit while I really liked the book, it was a 4 star book in my mind until today when I finished the last third. Did I give the fifth star because the ending was so spectacular (it was), or because I read it on my back patio on a rare 70-degree November afternoon in New England? I can't decide...

[Daria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impossible to read

The issue Wake in Winter deals with, the international adoption racket, is a serious one. Unfortunately, this book is almost impossible to read due to its awkward style and excruciating over-use of simile. It may be
poorly written, it may be poorly translated or a combination of both.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rounding up from 2.5. This book starts out fine, and runs along decently and with a subtle thoughtfulness for a while. We watch Nina slowly and inexorably absorbed into an ethically nebulous situation, which has some decent propulsion and potential, plot-wise. And then, things kinda just stop happening, and it all peters out and spends a long time not going anywhere much at all. The story is okay, and the writing is okay, but it’s a bit disappointing.

[Diane Lupton · Rating 1 out of 5]

read for the prompt - set somewhere that fascinates you (Russia)

I don't know what to say about this book. I didn't like it. It pains me to say that about someone's hard work. I think a lot of this book was lost in the translation. At times it was choppy and I really had no idea what was going on because there were so many tangents that really had nothing to do with the story. I found myself re-reading parts to see if I missed something but ultimately it was just a day dream or a story she was thinking about. There is one little tiny shock at the end that you don't see coming especially since the book is very predictable as to where it was going. I wouldn't recommend it.

[Jeff Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wake In Winter is the story of a young Russian grad student, Nina, who is studying Dali and Lorca, and works as a Spanish translator on the side. At first the book is a little hard to get into as the writing is very stream of consciousness, and prone to use of unwieldy metaphor, but eventually the story picks up as Nina gets involved in the work of international adoption. In many ways the book is a study of the loss of innocence and the easy steps to corruption. As Nina starts getting more involved and making more and more money she begins to lose herself and all that is important to her. A sense of impending doom starts to permeate the book. The book often feels like a memoir-after all it starts with the line "These events actually happened." About 90% of the way through the book, a friend mentions that Nina should write a book about her experiences. Nina demurs saying "there isn't anything special in these stories--no morals, no pathos." Just when the reader is about to believe this, the plot thickens again and Nina is confronted with a decision. She must decide whether to be her true self, or take on even a bigger role in this shadowy world of international adoption, an ambiguous enterprise as those involved continually ask themselves are they really helping unfortunate children find a better life, or are they just selling babies? The ending is a bit ambiguous as well but leaves the reader asking themselves questions about how true they are true to their own ideals or if they've gradually sold themselves out one little decision at a time for money and a more comfortable lifestyle, or if that is just the inevitable process of maturity. Overall the book is an interesting exploration of modern day Russia, from Moscow to smaller more rural areas, primarily Roghozin, and the various culture clashes between modern capitalism and tradition.

[Jaclyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book to awhile to read, mainly because I just wasn't into it. I am not sure if it's a translation issue or the way the author writes, but the flow is very off. The story itself feels disjointed, you bounce between the main plot to side stories without much warning, and it just seems to go on and on. I found myself quickly skimming pages in search of actual plot, or just anything that seemed interesting. Some people say there is a twist at the end....I wouldn't say it's a twist at all, more like anti-climatic ending that comes from left field.

Don't read this book expecting the normal drama or action you may find in other books. If you are interested in international adoption and the things that could go on behind the scenes, then you may like this book.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dreary

Insights about abuses in Internet adoptions are interesting enough to keep me reading, but the main character is exasperating. She drifts through life, never taking a stand about anything, good or bad.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my quest to clear my Kindle, I’ve finally gotten to this book that has been there since 2016.

I remember the popularity of U.S. adoptions of Russian children as I witnessed firsthand a couple I knew who adopted two siblings who were already four years old. They went through great difficulties with their socialization. This book brings up the question of is it a good thing or a bad thing when children with disabilities and developmental issues are put up for adoption to foreigners. The main character Nina at one point justifies what she is doing as a good thing. The children will have a better life than the ones of neglect in the orphanages. But what of the adoptive parents? What about their lives now caring for these children? A moral dilemma. Nina decides that what she is doing is a good thing after all.

I enjoyed the descriptions of Russian scenery as Nina traveled back and forth from Moscow to the countryside. I also enjoyed the references to Dali, Nina’s chosen topic for her dissertation. An interesting subject for a Russian interpreter of the Spanish language.

Nina’s character goes through a very slow metamorphosis from floundering around trying to finish her degree to getting sucked into disreputable activities with international adoptions. It was like she was caught in quicksand, did not know how to free herself and was just giving up. Her internal dialogue was at times annoying. What was she on about? The ending was a surprise and purposely left with unanswered questions.

[Eric Pollard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully Russian

I found this book to reflect the magical approach that is quintessentially Russian. Stories within stories, neglect, indifference, and cold-hearted anti-Semites. A winter of words, always familiar, but ever changing.

[Sparktest Guynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Characters well drawn, including the Russian countryside and the weather

Not sure why some readers gave the book low ratings because they did not like or agree with the protagonist behavior. This is not an American "hero" novel; the characters are well drawn and true to their nature and culture. Like many young women (and men) in our own culture, Nina goes with the flow of whatever happens to her, and alternates denial of her circumstances and how her own choices contribute to it with a rich internal monologue. The "indifference" identified as a key culture value seems to manifest in Nina as well, though in a different way. In the end, there is opportunity for Nina to redeem herself should she choose that path. Thoughtful book with a dreamlike quality in the reading. Also provides some good lessons in why adoption agencies are preferable to independent adoptions as a system.

[Natalie K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I received this book for free in a Goodreads giveaway.

This was a strange book but I liked it anyway. It's translated from Russian and though it's slow to start out, I think it's worth sticking with. Nina and all the characters really grew on me and I stayed up late to finish it because I was so eager to see what would happen to them. The author is Russian and has lived there her whole life, so it's a very authentic look at what the country is like as of the early- to mid-2000s. It can be a bit wordy and convoluted at times, which is why I took away one star for my rating, but I still liked it. Highly recommended!

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an Amazon Kindle First free pick from several months ago. This book is translated from Russian, and it always hard with a translated book to determine what is missing: an understanding of the culture in which the novel is set and was written, an understanding of the literary devices and styles of that culture, specifics of language that cannot be translated no matter the skill of the translator, or in fact, the skill of the translator or the author.

It took me a stubborn slog through the first third of the book before I finally accepted that the story was not going to be told in a way I was used to. The plot is meandering and episodic with events not following a clear timeline. The main character was not particularly likable or strong. The are long diversions of stories that do not seem relevant to the plot (though these are some of the best writing in the book). The ending is ambiguous with no clear path to redemption for the main character. In short, I think this book will be challenging and perhaps not interesting to most American readers. I have studied just enough of Russian culture to think this is a book by a Russian looking at issues within the Russian culture to be read primarily by Russians. No doubt the setting of international adoptions in Russia probably gave it some marketing appeal when deciding to translate it, but non-Russian readers who pick it up because of that will probably be disappointed. The book is not about adoption per se, but about what the forces of unfettered capitalism in post-Soviet Russia as exemplified by international adoption is doing to the citizenry there.

[Tere · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm sure the Russian version is much better than the translation - it was a struggle to read.
Adoption is very close to my heart. Russian orphans are close to my heart and that is the main reason I selected this First Read.
Russian adoptions were a racket and this is the main story line however there is a lot of symbolism in the writing. In ways, I enjoyed Nina and what she was doing, but there were several times a new name/person was thrown into the the story and I had no idea why they were there.
The translation is not always smooth. I'm glad I did not buy this one but I'm not sorry I read it.

[Nate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Belenkaya's novel was interesting but not entirely engaging. I felt like there was suppose to be a greater depth to the story than there was and the ending let me down by failing to address Nina's central doubt in herself. She didn't grow as a character over the course of the story and although she talks about not recognizing herself physically in the mirrors and in reflections, Nina's internal view of herself remains unchanged. Despite everything she goes through, in the end, it's like she experienced nothing. It's a unique story but would be improved through a clearer expression of how Nina adapted, changed, and developed over the course of her experiences.

[Tessyohnka · Rating 2 out of 5]

The topic is of interest but the story is disjointed and over-long. This was a Kindle First choice and I'm happy to have read it because of its exploration of the history of The House on the Embankment, but beyond that I was bothered by Nina's claim of interest in Dali's authentic period when she walks away from her studies and becomes involved in something that as Dina mentions is part of the
Russian experience of finding the money in an otherwise altruistic work. The deus ex machina ending was what, for me, bumped it from three stars to two.

[Glauber Ribeiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow book, atmospheric, well written. The intimate story of a slow descent into evil with one chance in a million of success. An ambiguous ending (happy ending? or not?)

I started reading this because i thought it would be a good way to immerse into a foreign (Russian) culture. Reading it during Chicago's Siberian winter, added some charm.

Good book as long as you are not looking for "action". Only one person gets shot.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disconnected and dreary story with abrupt ending.

This story is all over the place. The author of spends way too much time describing everything around her to the tinest detail and daydreaming about past events that makes the reader lost as well as wondering if something is really happening or if it's just a daydream.

I didn't like anything about this story but I gave it two stars on the off chance that maybe it was just a bad translation.

[Salem · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to give up on this one. The packing, and building up to the conflict, was so slow that at more than 40+% of the way through we had just identified the conflict to come. If the book had built up some tension, or had spent more time connecting me to the protagonist, I could've kept going. As it was I just realized I didn't care at all. The character remained elusive and somewhat incomprehensible, and literally nothing happened in hundreds of pages.

Definitely don't recommend.

[Steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such a hard book to get into. So much drivel and rubbish is the only way to describe it. Bored me stupid and the characters were so complex and bland at the same time.
It has the potential to be an interesting read,with an interesting subject matter but it was too tedious to be able to read any further.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Endurance

This book, with its detailed descriptions, is by no means fast paced. But, with its pointed focus and fluid text, it developed into a page turner. The sweet narrator, Nina, is a good protagonist. Doubtful and fearful, she follows her capitalist heart in her native Russia, where she enjoys her newfound (and illegal) wealth.

[Brittany Barnes Deeg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where's the arc?

Wake in winter was a promising Kindle First book that unfortunately did not deliver on its promises. I felt that the story arc fell flat about halfway through, moving from an exciting glance into international adoptions in Russia, to a misplaced soliloquy about book writing, Dali, and paranoia. I would pass on this novel in the future.

[Rebekah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was hard for me to get through. I was interested in the story, but some of the flashbacks and tangents were so drawn out I would almost forget what the story was supposed to be. Then the end was disappointing to me. There was so much build up for what was going to happen to Nina and then she just walked away.

[Colleen Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting

I struggled at first to get into the story
although once I found its rhythm I began to
enjoy it, its very well written but I was also aware
it was a translation but its a very human
tale so well worth the read

[CYRIL HUDSON · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow paced novel

If you like a story that is slow to develop then this is for you. I persevered for 20% of the book but couldn't face another 6 hours of reading. Maybe the final 80% is brilliant, I will never find out.

[Meg Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complex but compelling

I found this book to be a fascinating insight to Russian life. It was interesting to follow Nina's journey and her attempts to follow her dreams while dealing with the harshness of the adoption business in Russia.

[Susan Rollason · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hard to follow

I didn't enjoy this book. The plot was simple, but too many characters and locations made it hard to follow.

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but ended kind of abruptly...

It didn't seem like the book should've ended when it did...otherwise good though...seven more words are required of this review

[Mark Allen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't finish it. Quit at 50%. The story moved too slow, and I couldn't identify with any of the characters.

[Carly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried. I tried for months. It's just awful.

[Emma · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm unsure if it was a translation issue, but I really did not like this book. I found it very boring, and parts dragged on. I was waiting for a huge climax, but the ending really fell flat for me.