Mount TBR 2014 Challenge discussion

Buddy read with Sera and anyone else who wants to join in!

Hi, Willow!

Thanks for opening this thread.

What do you think of the book so far?

You bet! I'm enjoying it. I really like the way Smith writes. His characters are kind of murkier in this one, meaning I haven't quite pinpointed the bad guy yet, although I do think Yates is an ass. It's kind of interesting, since Leo hasn't made much of an appearance in this one since the beginning, I think the book has a different feel than the others.

The book is very different, but excellent as usual.

I like the whole US aspect to the book because of it captures what the US was like in its paranoia of communism during the 1950s.

I liked that we were given more insight into how Leo and Raisa first met.

I really like the Jesse Austin character and his wife.

I am eager to have Leo rejoin the story.

I am also rooting for a happy ever after ending for this poor family.

Yes I was moved by the plight of Jesse and his wife too. I get the feeling something bad is going to happen to them.

It is interesting about the paranoia surrounding communism in the States. Smith is really good at creating a tense environment.

I find myself at the edge of my seat while reading his books. I will pick this one up again tomorrow at lunch.

Oh wow, I wasn't expecting that. I'm so bummed. D:

I am picking this one back up tonight and then I'll be reading each day until I finish, but I don't want to be bummed out.

OMG Willow! That was worse than I had imagined. I had to stop reading right after the police station incident, because I am at work. I'll be back later to post more, too.

What a mess!

Yeah, it's pretty grim, isn't it? I had a feeling something horrible was going to happen to Leo and this is it. Now I'm wondering if Grigori is behind this.

Oh! You may be right about that one. It certainly makes sense. Tit for that and all.

I just read the part with Leo and his student after the fire in his apartment.

I really like how in the first part of the book, Smith examines the anti-Communism sentiments of the US, including the hypocrisy of "freedom" and the US government's ability to ruin lives because of people's beliefs. In reading that part of the book, I didn't find the US' behavior toward Jesse much different than Russia's treatment of its people. Sure, the physical punishment was missing in the US model, but in the end, Jesse is a severely damaged man.

Now, this second part of the book is also fascinating to me, because it deals with the Soviet Union's invasion and occupation of Afghanistan. Smith does a great job of weaving historical fiction into his writing.

I agree! Smith has this matter-of-fact way of writing that feels refreshingly unbiased. I don't feel like I'm being preached too. He's just setting the scene, which leaves the readers to come to their own conclusions. He still makes a point though.

I find it fascinating to see how the Soviet tried to deal with Afghanistan, because they eventually pulled out. I'm also quite curious to find out about what happened in New York. Yates has got to show up again.

I finished this book today. I thought that it was great.

How close are you to the end?

I'm very close. Leo is in New York. I will definitely finish today. I'm curious to see what Yates has to say.

I have to say, I did like this one better than The Secret Speech.

I going to miss Leo. :(

Me, too (sigh).

That was a sad ending. :(
I wanted happier things for Leo and Raisa.

I know. Major bummer, but I guess a happy ending wasn't likely based upon the circumstances here.

Did you have an author's note at the end of your book?

No I don't, just the Acknowledgements.

Aww, that is a shame. His comments are very interesting.

Message me your email, and I will find you a way to get you access to it.

Oh cool, thanks!