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Anton: A Young Boy, His Friend and the Russian Revolution
The story:
In a land laid waste by the First World War, the Bolshevik Revolution, civil war, economic calamity and famine, a young boy tries to cope with a reality of violence and suffering he could not understand. Together with his friend, he slowly begins to grasp the truth of his life in a small, German-speaking village on the Russian steppes. The two share a friendship deepened by the misery they endure in an adult world gone mad.
What people are saying about Anton:
"A beautiful, gripping story of the dark side of the Bolshevik Revolution. The reader is immediately immersed in the horror of the Revolution, the redeeming power of friendship and courage, and the promise of opportunity in a new land." -- Tucker Hart Adams, former professor of economics, University of Moscow.
"A story of simple and lasting friendship that moves from the Black Sea through the Russian Revolution and horrors of the Great War to the mud huts of Saskatchewan. Leon Trotsky is here, as is John Carter -- but the characters the reader will never forget are Anton and Kaza." -- Roy MacGregor, author, columnist The Globe and Mail, Toronto.
"An arresting, imaginative work by a gifted and sophisticated writer." -- Tom Farer, dean, Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver.
"Anton is a fascinating glimpse into a little-known period of history. It is also a fabulous story. I recommend it highly." -- Douglas Brown, Denver Post.
"A wonderful book ... a terrific novel. Buy one for yourself. You'll be glad you did." -- Charles Stroh, Western Michigan University.
"Eisler has a Tolstoy-like ability to get inside his characters." -- Dr. Mary Conroy, professor of Russian history.
"A perfect marriage of insight and history. As a reader, I felt as if Eisler reached into my mind and revealed that I already know the universal human truth." --Saskatchewan Publishers Group.
In a land laid waste by the First World War, the Bolshevik Revolution, civil war, economic calamity and famine, a young boy tries to cope with a reality of violence and suffering he could not understand. Together with his friend, he slowly begins to grasp the truth of his life in a small, German-speaking village on the Russian steppes. The two share a friendship deepened by the misery they endure in an adult world gone mad.
What people are saying about Anton:
"A beautiful, gripping story of the dark side of the Bolshevik Revolution. The reader is immediately immersed in the horror of the Revolution, the redeeming power of friendship and courage, and the promise of opportunity in a new land." -- Tucker Hart Adams, former professor of economics, University of Moscow.
"A story of simple and lasting friendship that moves from the Black Sea through the Russian Revolution and horrors of the Great War to the mud huts of Saskatchewan. Leon Trotsky is here, as is John Carter -- but the characters the reader will never forget are Anton and Kaza." -- Roy MacGregor, author, columnist The Globe and Mail, Toronto.
"An arresting, imaginative work by a gifted and sophisticated writer." -- Tom Farer, dean, Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver.
"Anton is a fascinating glimpse into a little-known period of history. It is also a fabulous story. I recommend it highly." -- Douglas Brown, Denver Post.
"A wonderful book ... a terrific novel. Buy one for yourself. You'll be glad you did." -- Charles Stroh, Western Michigan University.
"Eisler has a Tolstoy-like ability to get inside his characters." -- Dr. Mary Conroy, professor of Russian history.
"A perfect marriage of insight and history. As a reader, I felt as if Eisler reached into my mind and revealed that I already know the universal human truth." --Saskatchewan Publishers Group.
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 20, 2010
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29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 25, 2017
For a first novel, this is quite good. At times, the story is a bit uneven as it veers between a narrative of recollections and what appear to be history lessons. Overall though, I enjoyed reading this story as there is a part of my own family history reflected here. No doubt, many family histories of people from Saskatchewan are reflected in this work. The final chapter does an excellent job of emotionally bringing the story to a close. Well done.
April 27, 2025
The ending creates a reconciliation of the thoughts of a child & the narrative of an author. Well done
August 8, 2025
Dale Eisler’s Anton: A Young Boy, His Friend and the Russian Revolution is a poignant and richly layered work of historical fiction that blends personal memory with sweeping historical events.
Eisler’s writing is vivid and immersive. I was drawn into the world through detailed sensory descriptions that evoke memory and emotion.
Though it is historical fiction, the story is deeply personal. The novel doesn’t shy away from the violence, exile, and abuse. Presenting these events through the innocent lens of childhood, making the emotional impact even more profound. The book explores how memory shapes identity.
Eisler’s writing is vivid and immersive. I was drawn into the world through detailed sensory descriptions that evoke memory and emotion.
Though it is historical fiction, the story is deeply personal. The novel doesn’t shy away from the violence, exile, and abuse. Presenting these events through the innocent lens of childhood, making the emotional impact even more profound. The book explores how memory shapes identity.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews