The Light of Seven Days

A Novel

De: River Adams

Narrado por: River Adams

Living with her Babby after her parents’ death, ten-year-old Dinah Ash is invited to train at Leningrad’s legendary Vaganova Ballet School. In the world of elite dance, she works hard, falls in love, and weathers the Soviet Union’s ubiquitous antisemitism, but despite an impressive talent, she quickly learns that dancers of her “profile” don’t make prima ballerinas.

Love of Leningrad, ballet, friends, family, and books sustain Dinah until history intervenes. The Soviet war in Afghanistan, the rise of perestroika, and a re-emergence of Nazism leave her vulnerable and exposed. Realizing escape is her only option, she applies for refugee status in America.

Dinah’s adjustment to life in the US is a test as much of her identity as of her perseverance. Is who she is something Dinah can forge on her own? Or is identity imposed by upbringing, public opinion, and the myths of our cultures? As Dinah struggles with the questions of religion, race, and worth, her choices and the people she encounters will determine whether the dream of a better life can survive the weight of the past.

©2023 River Adams (P)2023 Blackstone Publishing

A great story brought to life by beautiful narration

This book had me hooked from the beginning and I loved it from start to finish. River’s narration was beautifully done- they brought the characters to life and brought an even deeper level of emotion to an already well developed story. I found the story very thought provoking and learned a lot about not only the Russian Jewish experience but the experience of those who have emigrated to the United States.

Thoughtful and gorgeous

This was really fascinating, I learned a lot about Russia and ballet, also the things Jews go through when they immigrate. The plot is very poignant and you get attached to some of the characters. I just wish they didn't die so much. what I love most is the descriptions, they pull you in completely like you're there, and I enjoyed Adams sense of humor. She reads her own book, and it's pretty good. I liked the tone and the different voices. But she has a little accent, which would be fine except sometimes a word is not clear. Not often, but it bugged me. Overall totally worth the time spent.