Around the World discussion

Great book on Russia (specifically Moscow) in the 21st century. Booker Prize short list.

Snowdrops according to the homepage means something besides the winter/spring flowers.

Asmah, thank you for the link. Never heard of that meaning for snowdrops. Don't think I'll ever forget it, either.

The book is a psychological thriller - it's pretty unforgettable.

I read the sample on my kindle and liked that, but I'm Booker-shy. Plus, I've read mixed reviews. How many stars did you give it?

This felt very un-Booker-like to me in some respects - it had a plot (un-Booker-like) but it was also basically the profile of a man (Booker-like). It's easy to read (un-Booker-like) but great writing (Booker-like).

I would give it about 3.9 stars. Pretty close to a 4 and I'm pretty stingy with my stars.

Kate. You make me laugh. I like your Booker- and un-Booker-like distinctions. Thank you. I see that we agree on Bookers. 3.9. That's also funny. You're very precise. 1/10 away from a 4. But you recommend it. What would have made it a four star book for you?

I like a book to make me cry or teary or laugh to be a 4 star book. This was a great, fast paced, easy read and I am NOT a "thriller" reader or a mystery/detective story (not that this book was either of those) and I do love a good character drama (it was that).

The main character is not likeable - which isn't always a pre-requistite for me - but he kind of bumbles his way (the failure to act being an act) into this situation. I think if I had had a little more pathos for him (not that you are supposed to) this book would have been a 4 for me.

I want my 4s to be books that make me cry about likeable, redeeming people I guess. Molokai and Cutting for Stone and Let The Great World Spin were all 4s for me (5s are few and far between).

Thanks for the explanation. Well, it's a 3 star book for every GR friend that has read it so far. It's technically a 3-star book for you as well. Sounds like a good book if one is looking for a good, but easy read.

The reason I recommended it here is because this is such a book of PLACE. Modern Moscow is as much a character in this book as any of them and, by extension, modern (read: contemporary) Russia. For this challenge to get a book that is so richly set in a particular country - really it's as much a book about Russia and Moscow as it is about Nick - really appealed to me. If you really want a sense of the country in your reading, this book achieves that without being a guidebook. That aspect of the book is one of the things I liked best.

Thank you, Kate. Much appreciated. I have several Russia choices on my list, but who knows, I may be in the mood for just this book when I get to Russia.

You're welcome, Anne and Judy. I liked the Q & A with the author.