Lost Souls of Leningrad

by Suzanne Parry

June 1941. Hitler's armies race toward vulnerable Leningrad. In a matter of weeks, the Nazis surround the city, cut off the food supply, and launch a vicious bombardment. Widowed violinist Sofya Karavayeva and her teenage granddaughter, Yelena, are cornered in the crumbling city.

On Leningrad's outskirts, Admiral Vasili Antonov defends his homeland and fights for a future with Sofya. Meanwhile, Yelena's soldier fianc� transports food across the Ice Road--part of the desperate effort to save Leningrad. With their help, the two women inch toward survival, but the war still exacts a steep personal price, even as Sofya's reckoning with a family secret threatens to finish what Hitler started.

Equal parts war epic, family saga, and love story, Lost Souls of Leningrad brings to vivid life this little-known chapter of World War II in a tale of two remarkable women--grandmother and granddaughter--separated by years and experience but of one heart in their devotion to each other and the men they love. Neither the oppression of Stalin nor the brutality of Hitler can destroy their courage, compassion, or will in this testament to resilience.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Russia, World War II, Fiction, Novels, Romance, War

344 pages, Paperback

First published November 8, 2022

About the author

Suzanne Parry is a former arms control negotiator turned historical novelist. She studied Russian in Moscow and worked for the US Department of Defense. While at the Pentagon, she helped negotiate the first international security agreement of the Gorbachev era. She has taught university, coached high school cross-country, and raised a large family. A dedicated runner, Suzanne lives on both coasts but calls Portland, Oregon, home.

Reviews

[Canadian Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

There isn’t much written about Hitler’s war entering the Soviet Union. This was another path of destruction where the Nazis formed a blockade around Leningrad and kept its citizens in a noose-thereby cutting them off from food and other supplies, killing almost a million civilians. This was known as the siege on Leningrad and it lasted nearly 900 days. Starvation, cannibalism, disease, frigid temperatures. Wretched circumstances.

This is the story of 2 women. Sofia, who is a violinist, and her granddaughter, Lena. It is their journey of survival. Brutal day and nights. Brave women. Under the oppression of Stalin only to be at the mercy of Hitler.

What I enjoyed about this story is it provided a perspective that little is written about. The 2 female characters were strong and I could connect with Sofia. What I didn’t like so much, a couple of editing errors; a love story at the beginning that was juvenile but did mature so I got over that. But, there was a huge gap from 1942 to the end of the war. The struggle I’m sure didn’t stop but the focus of the story was on the 1st year of the siege. There were another 2 years - how did these years differ from the 1st? What happened?

Overall, 4.25⭐️

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the current situation in Ukraine. With Putin raging this war against helpless civilians. One would hope that the erroneous decisions made by Hitler in WW2 wouldn’t transpire again. I guess Putin didn’t get that history lesson.

[Marilyn (not getting notifications) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost Souls of Leningrad by Suzanne Parry was one of the best historical fiction books about World War II that I have ever read. This book deserves every one of these glimmering five stars. If I could have handed out more stars I would have.

The all encompassing and brutal siege of Leningrad was the backdrop for The Lost Souls of Leningrad by Suzanne Parry. Despite the fact that Germany had signed a nonaggression pact with the Soviet Union two years earlier, Hitler was determined to launch a surprise invasion of the Soviet Union. In 1941, Hitler and the German army completely surrounded and cut the city of Leningrad off from the rest of the world. Leningrad was the hub for Russia’s Baltic Fleet and it housed hundreds of factories. It was Hitler’s goal to starve the people of Leningrad and totally put an to its existence by artillery bombardments from the air. The most serious problems that Leningrad faced, as a result of Hitler’s actions, was a lack of food since all roads leading into the city of Leningrad had been cut off. Soon German bombs destroyed its power plants and the people of Leningrad were forced to live without heat, electricity and water, even during the harsh and frigid winter. The relentless bombings caused destruction, fires and fear. Lost Souls of Leningrad delved into the little known history of Leningrad’s fate during World War II.

Lost Souls of Leningrad followed several characters and through them the ordeals that Leningrad experienced were portrayed. Sofya was a widowed woman who was an accomplished musician. She played the violin in the Leningrad Philharmonic. Sofya was one of just a very few women allowed to play in the Leningrad Philharmonic. She held a first violin chair. Sofya grew up in a privileged family and had gotten her musical training in Paris. Yolena (Lena) was Sofya’s teenage granddaughter. She was Sofya’s son’s and daughter-in-law’s only child. Yolena and her parents shared Sofya’s apartment with her. Yolena and Sofya had a very close and loving relationship. Vasili and Sofya had a strong romantic connection. They met at a dinner party years ago and were immediately drawn to one another. Vasili had recently married and Sofya was engaged to be married. They fell in love and had planned to annul their marriages but then Visili’s wife got pregnant and the two agreed to end things. Years later, both Visili’s and Sofya’s spouses had died and they rekindled their relationship. They had never stopped loving one another despite their circumstances. Visili was a Naval officer in Russia’s Royal Navy and had taught naval cadets during his wife’s long illness so he could help with her care. Pavil was a schoolmate of Yelena. The two formed a beautiful friendship that blossomed into love. Pavel enlisted in the Red Army when the Germans began their descent upon the Soviet Union. He started by repairing machines and working on the mechanical problems in vehicles. Later in the war, as all accessible roads and railways were targeted and made impassable by the German army to the people of Leningrad, Pavil bravely and tirelessly transported first food and then evacuees across “The Ice Road”, Lake Ladoga, which offered the only route left into and out of Leningrad. Pavil courageously drove his truck across the frozen lake to get food into the city. He was one of the most diligent workers in his company. Pavil made more trips across the Ice Road than anyone else. He was the first to start and the last to leave.

Shortly before the siege of Leningrad began, Stalin and his five year plans and purges still instilled fear in all. One day, a loud banging was heard on the door of Sofya’s apartment. Stalin’s men had come to take Major Aleksandr Karavayev, Sofya’s only son and father to Yolena, away for a crime he had not committed. Sofya went to Bolshoi Dom, the home of the NKVD, to get information about her son and to find out what his fate would be. She learned that Aleksandr had been transported to a labor camp for ten years. As a result of Aleksandr’s arrest, Aleksandr’s wife, Katya, was stripped of her position on the radio committee and of her party membership. Katya’s job had been for her to go door to door and take away all existing radios. She installed receivers so that the Communist party could control the things its citizens heard on Radio Leningrad, the only radio station that was allowed. Then in 1941, the rumors about Germany invading Russia became real. Katya, Yolena’s mother, volunteered for the Volunteer Corps to help fight the Germans. Sofya lost her seat in the Leningrad Philharmonic and was demoted to playing in The Radio Committee Orchestra which was a second tier orchestra. Sofya was just glad to be able to keep playing her violin. Vasili committed once again to Sofya, was issued orders by Admiral Nikolai Kuznetsov, the Commissioner of the Navy and the highest ranking Naval officer, to take a naval command. As soon as the ice melted enough, Visili would be commissioned to defend the Baltic and his homeland against the Germans.

As the siege became a reality, bombs were dropped on schools, hospitals and food markets. The city of Leningrad became the target for Germany’s persistent bombings. Hitler did not discriminate about what should be bombed. The bombs were plentiful and destructive. Yolena had been volunteering in the youth movement. She was asked to help transport young children out of Leningrad to safety. She did not want to leave her grandmother but she was given no choice. Sofya was glad Yolena would be away from Leningrad and would be able to get more food and be safer. Yolena was responsible for some of the youngest children. The children were being evacuated without their parents. The children and Yolena boarded the train. As the train got close to its destination, bombs began to fall on the train. Yolena ordered her charges to hide under the seats of the train. So many children died that day. Yolena was able to get sixteen children away from the train and into the safety of the forest. That trauma stayed with Yolena for years. She refused to travel by train ever again. Nightmares of that day haunted her sleep. Yolena’s heroic acts were recognized and praised. From that point on, Yolena and Sofya remained in the crumbling city. Evacuation was not possible with Yolena’s trauma and refusal to take a train. Life for Sofya and Yolena became harder and harder.

Sofya and Yolena both suffered immensely from the food rationing. Hitler’s goal was to starve the people of Leningrad and he was succeeding. The citizens of Leningrad were only allowed 125 grams of bread a day. Since there was a shortage of flour, other ingredients like sawdust became one of the staple main ingredients for the bread. All around them people were dying from starvation. Some very desperate and food deprived people even resulted in scavenging body parts from the dead who were left on the streets. Cannibalism, although not widespread and rampant, was present. Fortunately for Sofya and Yolena, both Visili and Pavil were able to get them much needed food and supplies when things became quite difficult. Members of the military received greater amounts of food than the citizens of Leningrad. Even in war, the caste system was evident. Along with worrying where Sofya and Yolena would find food, they constantly worried about Aleksandr’s safety as well as Vasili’s and Pavil’s safety and well being. It was a constant worry for both Sofya and Yolena. During the long winter months, both Sofya and Yolena were forced to wear every piece of clothing they had to stay warm. Bombs had annihilated the power grid for the city. There was no heat, water or electricity. They managed to find a portable stove to burn wood in. When wood and furniture became scarce books were used. These two brave women supported each other and fought to survive all the atrocities Hitler was inflicting upon them and their city.

Lost Souls of Leningrad by Suzanne Parry was a heartbreaking story about love and survival. It spoke of the courage, compassion, resilience, love, faith, hope, despair and the brutalities of war both grandmother and granddaughter faced together. This was a debut novel for Suzanne Parry. There were so many unsettling similarities in this book to what the Ukrainian people are experiencing today. How sad that some humans have learned nothing from their own tragic history and insist upon inflicting many of the same atrocities on the innocent Ukrainian people! The characters in Lost Souls of Leningrad were engaging and memorable. I find myself still thinking about them. The author, Suzanne Parry, has acquired a vast amount of knowledge about Russia’s history. She spent some time studying in Moscow and through authentic conversations with people that lived there she was able to gain a real understanding of what it was like for the people of Leningrad during the siege. Suzanne Parry is a masterful storyteller and really painted a vivid yet disturbing picture of the starvation, desperation, abundant deaths, freezing temperatures and lack of electricity and running water that existed throughout Leningrad in her debut novel, Lost Souls of Leningrad. I immediately became invested in both the characters and the storyline. It was hard to put this book down. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to She Writes Press for allowing me to read this ARC of Lost Souls of Leningrad by Suzanne Parry through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Publication is set for November 8, 2022.

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This is about Leningrad in WWII. I was never able to read about that siege because I thought it was too intense. This writer has made a non-existent, personal story around the facts and she succeeded well.
It was interesting to read it not as a report but as a novel.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel tells the horrific story of the siege of Leningrad by the Nazis during WWII. Cutoff from support by the Nazi blockade, without food or power and under constant bombing, several million people suffered terribly and many hundred thousand died. The main character is Sofya, a concert violinist, who is in a romantic relationship with a Russian naval officer. Also important in the story are Sofya’s granddaughter and her fiancé, who served on the Ice Road (the track across iced over Lake Ladoga by which a few supplies were brought in an some people evacuated). Sofya and her granddaughter face hunger and cold and see death all around them. The romance and romantic secrets provide a little bit of lightness, and the music provides a wonderful contrast to the suffering. I enjoyed this book, but I am partial to The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons. When I read TBH, I felt the hunger, cold and desperation much more tangibly. I think that is because the main characters in TBH are more fully drawn – but I found the descriptions of the deprivations and horrible events more compelling and complete (and yes, I know in TBH there is a lot of romance – young girl, handsome army officer, sibling issues). I’m not disparaging Lost Souls – it is definitely a worthy novel – but if you are interested in the subject matter, you should try The Bronze Horseman.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lost Souls of Leningrad is populated with characters who narrate different chapters and grab your heart with their predicaments resulting from the 1940s German siege of Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). Parry has expertise in Russian military affairs and applies her knowledge to the story so that it flows from the characters' journey. By cutting off supply lines and bombing relentlessly, the Nazis endeavored to starve the population trapped in the city. The contrast between the musician Sofya at the center of the story whose music becomes an allegory for humanity and those who represent the callousness of a bellicose world, including her neighbors, reminds the reader that ubiquitous conflicts rage on today. This novel delivers an important punch: no matter the geography nor the issue, war destroys more than buildings. It annihilates the moral soul of what it means to be human. No small irony is lost that the victims' current government is now the aggressor and the images of Ukrainians being bombed and starved is a contemporary version of the scenes in this story. A compelling debut.

[Marcia reading past dark · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOST SOULS OF LENINGRAD is a powerfully written retelling of the traumatic siege of Leningrad during World War II. This character-based drama draws us into the lives of Sofya Karavayeva, her teenage granddaughter, Yelana, and their friends, women who chose to stay in their homeland and struggle together to survive the winter. The details are difficult at times to read, but they emphasize the horrors of any war, where women and children are counted among the casualties.

Author Suzanne Parry, a former European security specialist who studied in Moscow and worked at the Pentagon, is through in her description of the bitter Russian winter and the suffering of innocents trapped without food, water, and electricity. Against the background of the widespread affliction, the Leningrad Symphony plays the only sweet notes heard during this time of struggle and sacrifice.

[Esther Erman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who will history judge to have been the more reprehensible villain – Hitler or Stalin? If the question was which was the more clueless, Stalin is the clear winner. My family, Jews in Poland in 1939, recalled hearing on the radio in August 1939 that the Germans and the Russians had signed a non-aggression pact – the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. My parents immediately knew they were doomed. It took Stalin longer to realize the fate he’d consigned his people to. My parents were each the sole survivor of their families in Poland. Starting with the Nazi attack in June, 1941, Stalin’s people faced horrors and decimation at the hands of the same relentless tyrant.

Suzanne Parry, a former European security specialist who studied Russian in Moscow, focuses most intensely on the brutal siege of Leningrad in 1942. The devastating Russian winter, which eventually helped defeat the Nazis, is the setting for the horrific suffering of civilians trapped without food, water, and power. People were reduced to the most barbaric acts in order to attempt to survive. Against the panorama of the widespread affliction, Suzanne Parry focuses on the personal stories of four individuals: Sofya, a talented violinist; Yelena, her 16-year old granddaughter; Vasili, Sofya’s long-ago lover; and Pavel, Yelena’s first love. All the men have been called up for military duty and are mostly absent. The women must fend for themselves in a world grown primitive and hostile. Just walking out to do ordinary chores leads to traumatization and can lead to even worse. How does one hold onto her humanity in the face of such devastation? This and more questions are explored in this very readable novel that also seeks to shed light on history that has gone mostly unacknowledged. The Russians paid a huge price to help bring about the Allied victory. How sad for today’s world that their leaders appear to have forgotten what it is to declare war on civilians.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gripping & powerful novel was excellent. The Siege of Leningrad was a terrible atrocity. However, Suzanne Parry told a wonderful story in how she developed her characters strengths, by focusing on the importance of compassion and unity in an otherwise untenable situation.

[Debra Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost Souls of Leningrad at times reads like an homage to the Russian novel… dark and darker still. But, throughout, its characters experience moments of optimism, romance, and, even, hope. A few years ago, in majestic St. Petersburg, I was privileged to listen to Russian historians passionately recount the unparalleled loss of Russian civilian and military lives during WWII- a loss that undoubtedly contributed substantially to the defeat of the Nazis and to this day informs the Russian political mindset. I truly appreciate the author’s efforts to inform the reader about a history that is absent from most American high school World History books. A commendable effort for this reason alone, but, more broadly, for the novel’s engaging characters and readability.

[Gail Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully told heartfelt debut novel. Hard to read at times, but so necessary.

[Chelsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great historical fiction WWII novel! I just love learning about all that happened during the war and this is the story about how Leningrad became surrounded and taken over by Hitler and the Nazi's, while Stalin had been creating his own havoc in this country as well. This novel is told from various characters during the war and I thought it really brought depth to the story.

Sofya and Yelena, grandmother and granddaughter, refuse to evacuate from Leningrad and work together to stay alive each and every day while doing what they can for the war effort. Admiral Vasili has once again connect with a love from years past but is called into duty and out to the sea he is sent, as he fears for the impending war that others neglect to believe will touch them. Pavel, a young lad was annoyed he was not old enough to enlist like the other men, but now as he does his part in the war effort he is realizing that maybe he was saved from the more brutal side of things. He is mostly save and able to occasionally see his fiancé while doing what he can for the war. Based on actual events, this novel was a heartbreaking read about love and staying alive.

Thank you to the author and She Writes Press for the free novel! This one will be on the shelf with my other WWII reads!

[Anna (Literaria Luminaria) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Love does that sometimes. Makes you believe things that aren’t possible."

What an absolutely heartbreaking—yet beautiful—story. Although a tough read, I appreciated reading and learning more about the siege of Leningrad and parts of World War II that really aren't as well-known, but my favorite part about this book was the relationship between Sofya and Lena, a grandmother and granddaughter that, together, survived some of the worst things one could imagine.

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[Susen Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the early months of the Nazi occupation of Leningrad in 1941, "Lost Souls of Leningrad" follows the lives of Sofya, a concert violinist; her granddaughter, Yelena; and two soldiers, Vasili and Pavel. It is at once a love story, a delve into the Russian conflict of World War II, and a testimony to the human spirit of survival. The citizens of Leningrad--innocent casualties of war--brought to mind today’s conflict in Ukraine. When will humankind learn that love and unity are more important than greed and prejudice? Parry’s spectacular prose is heartfelt, realistic, tragic, and hopeful. Lost Souls is a must-read for any student of history or humanity.

[Astrid Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this horrible book in 2 days. It laid a siege on me, and my mind couldn't access any other resources until I was done with Lost Souls of Leningrad - the task even more difficult since tears blurred my eyes more often than not. But now I'm done, and I can write this review, even though my heart is still in crumbles.
This book is special for me, of course, because I was born and raised in St. Petersburg. What can I say - the traces of the siege are everywhere. Some of the houses in the center still keep the tables on them stating "This side of the street is safer during bombing." I grew up listening to the stories from the siege survivors. My school had a museum dedicated to Tanya Savicheva, a siege survivor who left diaries. I think I've had a decent understanding of what the siege was.
And I stopped reading anything related to it, and World War 2, because it tore my heart every time. I just couldn't stop crying. When I realized that I'm a grownup now and still weep like a baby imagining these horrors, I just avoided all books and movies on this topic. But I decided to read Lost Souls of Leningrad by two reasons: first, I met Suzanne Parry on a writers' conference and was captivated by her energy, and second, I was curious to read a book by a US writer. I thought, there was no way someone outside St. Petersburg, and outside the former Soviet Union, could give any impression about the siege. I was wrong.
I don't know how much I would have felt if I came to this book fresh, like much of its target audience is expected to be. I don't know if it would have impressed me that much. But I can say that it's an accurate, vivid, detailed dive-in into the story of two women, a grandmother and granddaughter, captured in the horror of the siege. There is much struggle, starvation, death, desolation, but also rare moments of joy and surprising resilience.
When I read this book, I couldn't help thinking about the war in Ukraine. What a tragedy that the people who had suffered so much from the Nazi became the Nazi for their neighbor. Both Ukrainians and Russians call each other the Nazi, but I know that only one side is right.

[Loretta Runyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://myspiceoflife.com/lost-souls-...
idowed Sofya is an accomplished violinist holding a first violin chair with the Leningrad Philharmonic. Once her son, Aleksandr, is arrested, she is demoted and goes on to play with Radio Committee Orchestra, a second tier orchestra. Playing with the orchestra, she is able to have small meals outside of the ration cards. With the Nazis closing in, how much longer will they be able to play? How will she and her granddaughter, Yelena survive the winter?

Yelena's mother leaves town after signing up for the Volunteer Corps. With communication into Leningrad out, she wonders if her mother has survived bombings and famine? With her father imprisoned, it's she and Sofya left to survive a war. A volunteer herself, she is traumatized after assisting with the evacuation of children. Her shining light is her beloved Pavel. Will their love abound through this terrible war?

Admiral Vasili helps Sofya as much as he can. But will it be enough? Recently a widower, will he and Sofya start their love affair over? What dark secret does Sofya have that involves him?

Famine, death, freezing temperatures, bombings.... You will experience so many different emotions throughout this book. I won't give it up, but I must say one part of the book totally shocked me and I pray that this type of thing didn't nor ever does happen in true life.

From laughter to tears, I felt this was overall a great book.

[Kayla Lambert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost Souls of Leningrad offers a unique and important perspective of the Soviet side of World War II as well as primarily focusing on the starvation, death and famine that spread through the city of Leningrad during the war. This book does an amazing job at expressing the raw and brutal events that occurred, death is no stranger in this novel.

The main characters in this novel are Sofya and Yelena, a grandmother and granddaughter that are left alone in Leningrad while the rest of their loved ones are called away to various locations to fight off the impending German Army. The story tells of their survival, perseverance, bravery and tragedies during the two and a half year siege of Leningrad.

Reading the devastating and tragic events that unfold for this family during this time really pulls at your heart strings. The author does such an amazing job at detailing what daily life was like for the citizens of Leningrad, and it's heartbreaking. The characters are so inspiring. The only thing stopping me from giving this book a 5 star review is I felt as if the ending was a bit rushed.

[Tom Boyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Became boring. There were about ten chapters on how to starve. I quit reading after the first ten or so chapters. No plot.

[Book.ishJulie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was never big on history class, but I love learning it now - particularly about WWII. When Lost Souls Of Leningrad by Suzanne Parry was put on my radar, I jumped at the chance to read it. And indeed, what a unique book to have read!

This novel is about the devastating state Leningrad is in as Hitler and the Nazis surround the city, cutting off and destroying critical infrastructure. I truly enjoyed seeing a different perspective of WWII, because this is when I learn the most.

Besides the distinct view of WWII, Parry's writing is just so beautiful. It is descriptive in a subtle way, but I could see, feel and hear the horrors, nonetheless; I could see the devastation and I felt so cold while reading yesterday.

This novel is about the war, but it has underlying roots about the fierceness of family, while also being a love story. Additionally there's a coming of age story woven throughout; which now that I think about it, both female characters go through their own.

There was a perspective shift that I found particularly well done. I loved how the narration changed along with who was the strongest character at that moment. It was so subtle and eloquent, that I only realized this shift had occurred while my mind was idle.

The strength and perseverance of Parry's characters is second to none. They struggle with the war and their place in it, individually and together. It's also truly amazing how having someone else to focus on alleviates some of your own stress and fears.

The terror that constantly surrounds these characters (and the people that lived through this time, and are still living through this or similar devastation) had me sobbing over my coffee yesterday morning. This book broke my Mama heart in a way I was not prepared for.

"Seeing" people go about their life, then stopping to hunker down at the sound of the air raid siren, only to get back up and continue on when the all clear is given, has made me so grateful for this privileged life I have.

Thank you Book Sparks for the complimentary copy to read and review.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Leningrad in 1941 and 1942, harrowing and heartbreaking Lost Souls of Leningrad is a Historical Fiction book that goes deeper than most, right into the heart and bones. The history is incredibly well researched and narrated in such a way that it feels as though the author experienced the atrocities herself. Talk about skilful writing!

We often read about Nazi-occupied countries and the Holocaust from that perspective but this...this is so different. We read from a Russian point of view of Nazi Germany's attack and Stalin's response, severely oppressing his own people to the point of death. It is impossible to fathom the relentless bombardment of evil from the enemy and from neighbours, government, everyone, day and night with no escape or peace. But random acts of kindness saved lives.

Sofya is a middle-aged violinist who plays at the Philharmonic Hall, delighting audiences and bringing joy in the midst of despair. Her son Aleksandr gets taken away by the dreaded secret police...anyone even remotely linked to the resistance was sorely punished. Sofya and her teen granddaughter Yelena (Lena) soon end up alone in their horrifying new world and survival becomes critical for the poor and wealthy. Food is more valuable than fine furniture (used for firewood) and jewelry. What people ate then for sustenance is heartbreaking. Nothing could be done with dead bodies. People did not dare to leave their homes except to queue for meagre rations and scrounge for food. The ration book story almost did me in.

Sofya met Vasili when they were both married. Their love for each other endured until both spouses were gone. Vasili's elite position allowed Sofya and Lena to gather more food than most. But they experienced heartache and grimness every single day. Millions of people slowly died. No one knew whether they'd see loved ones who had been whisked away ever again.

Historical Fiction fans who desire to get lost in a very realistic portrayal of Nazism and Stalin's brand of Communism in Leningrad in WWII, this book is an absolute must.

My sincere thank you to She Writes Press and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this gorgeously-written and unforgettable horrific story, parts of which are based on facts. It moved me.

[Dana K · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot of WWII fiction out there, it was an immense moment in history and every story deserves to be heard. The author starts with a note telling us why she was motivated to tell this story, the fact that the Eastern European front does not get as much attention as stories of the Jewish survivors or the Western world. Leningrad was under siege from . To me this read like a modern day Masada, so many innocent people not interested in anything but living their lives but they were completely cut off from a way to save themselves. There is much of the horrors of the war we have come to know but we get a bit of a different angle on the government's role in Russian involvement and how dispensable it viewed its citizens (gee, sounds familiar...). 

Sonya is a musician living with her son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter when the Germans begin pressing towards Russia. Her son is arrested after an accusation against him and her daughter-in-law joins an initiative to ingratiate herself with the Party. Sonya and her granddaughter are left to survive by any means necessary. We see the struggles against starvation, bitter cold, the delicate balance to stay on the right side of the government and trying to maintain their hearts in the face of the worst of humanity.

There are some utterly heartbreaking moments in this one. However there are also such moments of strength, resilience and love. This one is so well researched but also well written. 

Thanks to Booksparks for the gifted copy. All opinions above are my own.

[Lana Hasper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I asked Google if it was always the Nazis intend to lay seige to Leningrad rather than invade and this is what Wikpedia said: "On 21 September 1941, German High Command considered how to destroy Leningrad. Occupying the city was ruled out "because it would make us responsible for food supply". The resolution was to lay the city under siege and bombardment, starving its population."
What unimaginably sick minds.
My Dad ended up in what was Czechoslovakia in May of 1945 and shook hands with Russian soldiers.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this heartbreaking novel of Leningrad in WWII, surrounded and pummeled as it was by Nazi forces with its weak population in danger of starving to death. A violinist and her granddaughter who is sixteen shelter together. The woman waits for her son and lover who are in danger fighting, the girl for her young love who brings in supplies to the city. I read much of it with great intensity, so much that I hardly knew I was curled in a comfortable chair. Just wonderful!

[Amy Button · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was simply blown away by this book. All of the characters were so detailed, their journeys a thrilling ride against the backdrop of true historical events. This book drew me in and I could not put it down. It’s inspired me to read more of the historical fiction genre! Cannot wait to read more of Suzanne Parry 😍

[Michelle Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid. Interesting and depressing historical background. Decent characters. But nothing really amazing or that stood out other than the historical events themselves.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best written historical novels I’ve ever read. Thought provoking, dramatic and powerful. This would make a fantastic movie.

[Jan Reatherford · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting view of WWII from the perspective of Russian citizens living in Lennigrad. Sofya and her granddaughter, Yelena, are the primary characters while other family members and friends play significant roles.
Sofya and Yelena are indecisive about evacuating until Hitler has shut off the city and it is too late. They must then find ways to survive the lack of food, electric, running water and constant air raids. Even though they enjoy minor perks due to their status in the community, the hardships are very real.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love historical fiction when it’s done well. This book is done well! The characters and their storylines were cohesive, engaging and endearing. The author’s knowledge about the time and the environment shone through as I felt immersed in the story and time, always eager to get back to reading it. Although it’s about difficult times, it was a very enjoyable book to read.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The events surrounding the Siege of Leningrad have always been intriguing to me. Not very many fictional writers have attempted to tackle the subject. There are a few brutal telling's that have stuck with me over the years (Helen Dunmore's the Siege comes to mind). Suzanne Parry's attempt isn't horrible. There are moments when the story is compelling. She steers away from delving deeply into some of the more gruesome aspects. Her descriptions of Leningrad are somewhat flat, I don't feel like she was ever there painting a picture for me. The most compelling part was the reconvening of the Leningrad philharmonic at the end to play an orchestra written by a survivor about the siege. I had meant to look up whether or not that actually happened. It certainly feels like a propaganda strategy that's realistic.

The story comes to a rather neat conclusion for all the main characters, which took away from the authenticity of the story overall. But that said, it was ok.

[Kc1morepage · Rating 3 out of 5]

With all of the WWII historical fiction on the market right now, there’s still a definite lack of material about the European Eastern front. The siege of Leningrad was devastating. The supply lines to the city were completely cut, and it’s inhabitants were slowly starved and frozen to death.

Lost Souls of Leningrad provides an interesting and engaging lens into this world, and focuses on Sofya and her granddaughter Yelena as they fight for their survival amidst the destruction of their home. Although I enjoyed the family drama, I felt like the books skewed too much in this direction, and wanted a bit more of the history and how completely catastrophic the siege was for Leningrad and it’s residents.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was written with a 21C voice & was filled with hindsight and current phrasing. The current historical fiction writers ascribe traits to their characters not described until decades later. The era was dominated by male dominance and autocratic leaders, who sufficated women's self-assurance. The loss of the witnesses or victims from the brutality of the Hitler/ Stalin genocide is missing in the current novels.
Growing up as a child of parents who barely survived Hitler & Stalin & being the holder of their traumatic experiences, I look for that story that would connect me to my Russian mother and/or Polish father.
I would recommend this book as a romance to a teen and older audience.