City of Thieves

[d13]

I just finished this book and I can't recommend it enough. Its a coming-of-age story set during the siege of Leningrad in WWII. Funny, Horrifying, Heartbreaking, Beautiful. In 258 pages.

Its definitely more of a "Guys" book, but it so beautifully written I can't imagine anyone not enjoying it.

[Werthead]

I read it when it first came out. A very effective, very interesting book. I'm not sure if it is 'guy's book as my Waterstone's bookmark has glowing mini-reviews from two female reviewers of the book on it ;-)

The guy who wrote it, David Benioff, is the guy who is heading up HBO's TV adaptation of GAME OF THRONES (as head writer and executive producer), which admittedly is why I read it. I was very impressed with his talents for creating dialogue and character, and I think the TV series is in good hands :-)

[James Keegan]

Yeah, it looks good. That's the one about the guys that have to scavenge eggs for a wedding cake or be put to death, right?

[d13]

James Keegan wrote:

Yeah, it looks good. That's the one about the guys that have to scavenge eggs for a wedding cake or be put to death, right?

Yeah, that's the one.

Before I read City of Thieves I had just finished Voices from Stalingrad, first person accounts of the Battle of Stalingrad - so I had recent context for the horrors of Russia during WWII. Benioff (the author of COT) does a great job at balancing these horrors with some truly funny moments.

And as far as it being a "Guy's" book, I say that only because it is a boy's coming-of-age story, not because I think women won't like it. My fiance is actually reading it right now and she loves it.